How to become a good translator
With the advent of the 21st century, the world is getting more globalized and people all across the globe become deeply involved with cultural exchange activities. Language conversion can become one of the greatest challenges that they face in an attempt to understand different cultures and the world better. Good translators, therefore, should not only convey one language into another, but find the proper equilibrium between languages. There are three criteria that good translators must be able to fulfill: reading abilities, writing skills, and a deep understanding of words.
The first and most important thing that a translator should have is a good reading ability of different types of texts. Translators face numerous types of texts ranging from fiction to fashion magazines. It is important to read diverse genres in both source and target texts as a hobby so that one can develop reading aptitude in general and give insights, which will be useful in the future when translating.
Another ability that a good translator is required to have is, of course, writing skills. Translators are basically no different from professional writers, so they have to write appropriately in both source and target languages. Since there are different styles of writing depending on types of texts or target readers, translators should feel comfortable in writing any types of genres and structures. When I took translation classes at a college, it was usually my bad writing habits or qualities that professors pointed out rather than how well I conveyed one language into another. Since then, I realized ceaseless efforts of writing in both languages were important to be a good translator.
In order to develop excellent translation proficiency, the understanding of the meaning of certain words is also very important. Words mean diversely in different circumstances, so translators should be well aware of the exact meaning of words and choose the best in a specific situation. This ability to understand various expressions, vocabulary, and idioms as well as proper punctuation usage will not be achieved in a day or so. It is important to perform constant practices and efforts to conquer words. Even with the best dictionary for translating, it wouldn't be so helpful unless one knows how to utilize words correctly.
In conclusion, to be a skilled translator, it takes much more than just having a good knowledge of languages. Conversing two languages is one of the most demanding tasks, and people are required to be a good reader and a good writer in order to translate well. They should also have a rich understanding of words so that they can use words in a right place at a right time.
To Park Sae-whan From Young-jun Yoo
ReplyDelete1. What I like about this piece of writing is the organization of the essay. The thesis and the topic sentences in the body paragraphs are very clear, which makes readers catch the points easily.
2. Your main point seems to be that three qualities of a good translator are reading abilities, writing skills, and a deep understanding of words.
3. These particular words or lines struck me as powerful:
1) It is important to perform constant practices and efforts to conquer words.: it was interesting how you used a work “conquer” here. It would, I think, impress readers better than other words.
2) translators should feel comfortable in writing any types of genres and structures : I think it is a good point you made. I believe it is a very important quality to be a translator, because translators don’t always get to choose the genre of texts that they are going to translate.
4. Some things aren’t clear to me. These lines or parts could be improved (meaning not clear, supporting points missing, order seems mixed up, writing not lively):
All clear to me.
5. The one change you could make that would make the biggest improvement in this piece is to give some support like giving an example in the body paragraphs, especially in the first body. And, it would be better if you wrap up with something except restatement of the thesis.
To Park Sae-whan From Chaemin Im
ReplyDelete1. What I like about this piece of writing is the introduction. The hook and background information are well-connetecd and it flows logically well.
2. Your main point seems to be that three qualities of a good translator are reading abilities, writing skills, and a deep understanding of words.
3. These particular words or lines struck me as powerful:
1) When I took translation classes at a college, it was usually my bad writing habits or qualities that professors pointed out rather than how well I conveyed one language into another
-> You wrote your story about writing and I think it is what is related to all the students who are studying english.
4. Some things aren’t clear to me. These lines or parts could be improved (meaning not clear, supporting points missing, order seems mixed up, writing not lively):
All clear to me.
5. The one change you could make that would make the biggest improvement in this piece is to give another opinion in the conclusion. I think yours just summarizes the thesis statement and each body paragraphs but it will be better if you add a prediction or advice.