This brings me to my real question: what is localization? Is it a synonym for translation? Is it something more? Or is it something else entirely?
A simple Google search of “translation vs. localization” reveals a variety of responses, but most of them focus on the distinction between literal and dynamic equivalence translations, broadly assigning “translation” to the former, and “localization” the latter. A statement by a translation company claims, “Translation is the word-for-word rendering of source text from one language […] into another... [and] is fairly literal—the source and target-language text should […] essentially be mirror-images of each other,” while “Localization involves translation plus adapting the target-language
…show more content…
In this case, the message was altered, but it was not to present the same effective message to the target culture as it did the source culture, as in the case of dynamic equivalence. Instead, it was purposefully changed to create an entirely different perception for the video game console, one that Nintendo of America thought would result in more sales.
It’s clear that localization is not just a synonym for translation used in the technology industry. In fact, I’ve realized that the goal of translation and the goal of localization are actually very different.
The ultimate goal of translation is to convey an intelligible message to the target audience. This can include both the fundamental message present in the text, but also a more encompassing message about the source culture. Looking back at literature and the examples in class, translation was used to convey a variety of messages about Japan to the US and vice-versa. For example, the translations of Yasunari’s works conveyed the “traditional” view of Japan, painting Japan as a country driven by nature, and the people’s emotions as vague and melancholy. The translation of “Aghwee,” on the other hand, presented Japan as a modern, Westernized
Salman Rushdie once said, “The word 'translation' comes, etymologically, from the Latin [word] for 'bearing across'. Having been borne across the world, we are translated men. It is normally supposed that something always gets lost in translation; I cling, obstinately to the notion that something can also be gained.”
The essay is directly comparing and contrasting the education in America versus the education of Japan. The essay is organized into eight sections, with each section starting off with Mori’s experience in Japanese school and then to American school. With the use of mainly personal experiences and anecdotes the essay is governed through emotional appeal,
I first came to Japan knowing nothing about the language and the culture. Much more the issues the nation was facing. Most of the things I knew were taught to me by my father and I wasn’t intellectual nor educated enough to form my own opinions, thus, all my thoughts aligned with his, a typical conservative/ nationalist Japanese. As an individual of multinational backgrounds, I felt this strong desire to prove my Japanese-ness to others and indeed I tried.
The author utilizes overwhelming amount of excerpts from private letters that were both sent by and sent to Noguchi, exploring the use of language extensively. Drawing most of quotes from private letters of Noguchi and exploring the usage of terms and affection behind the usage, the book reads like a fine storybook; however, such heavy quotes on letters and explanation of language have made reader, I, to be confused whether this is a book about a life of a person or a book about general depiction of Japanese immigrants of the time. Even though it was pleasant to read beautiful language, mostly due to sharp contrast to languages of other literatures that we read, it made both easy and challenging to see the
The product of this process reflects a translation that is the shared consensus of a linguistically equivalent protocol across languages and cultures.
Throughout my collaboration with the organization, I worked on producing an improved English translation of their official website. This has been the longest document I have ever worked on, totaling 31 pages and just over nine thousand words. While working on such a long document, I have noticed various important technical aspects about the process. I have learned that it can be difficult to maintain the consistency of terminology throughout the document, and that it is a good idea to go back through after completing all of the text and revise with an eye for consistency. I also learned that it is very important to revise in general, and to step back and take a break before doing so; when working in two languages at once, it is very easy to get caught up in the details of one or the other. There were many occasions when I was reading over what I had written earlier and I realized that sentence was obviously written in Spanish syntax even though it had English words. Finally, I learned that, even though translation is an individual process, it can be extremely helpful to collaborate with others and ask for a second opinion in order to produce the best possible
Free translation: The attempt to translate the ideas from one language to another with less concern about using the exact words of the original. (paraphrasing)
Another crucial problem the family has is the dynamic with Joey, Emilia, Hector, and Celia. Due to the fact that Celia has primarily stayed in the home, and as a result cannot speak English, it obstructs her ability to advocate in the fullest capacity for her grandson. One example is how Celia didn’t fully understand that Vicki’s diagnosis of Autism was the reason behind her daughter’s behavior. Translation are “words that have been changed from one language into a different language (Merriam-Webster, n.d.).” Based on the definition, it would be easy for valuable information to become distorted through the use of a translator.
Translators have access to some of the world's most heavily guarded secrets. Think about it...businesses go through millions of dollars in security to protect proprietary data, formulas, recipes, business ideas, medical data, personnel information, etc. Then, when that information needs to be sent to an overseas office, placed on a patent application, submitted for approval to a foreign government, and so forth, who do they turn to? Translation services. After all, they don't know the target language or culture.
Japan, forced to rebuild itself from the ashes of defeat, was occupied by Americans in the aftermath of World War II. Although it was commonly perceived through the victors’ eyes, in John W. Dower’s novel, Embracing Defeat: Japan in the Wake of World War II, Dower summarized his studies of Occupied Japan and the impact of war on Japanese society in the view of both the conqueror and the defeated. He demonstrated the “Transcending Despair” (p. 85) of the Japanese people through their everyday lives in the early stages of the occupation. In chapter three, Dower attempted to comprehend the hopes and dreams – as well as the hopelessness and realities – of the Japanese who were in a state of exhaustion and despair. In chapter four, due partly to the food shortage, crime rates rose as people began to steal. Women turned to prostitution while men turned to the black market. Some Japanese were so desperate that they stripped out of their clothing and exchanged it for food. Dower vividly conveyed the depth of loss and confusion that Japan experienced. On the other hand, Kasutori culture flourished in the 1950s as sexually oriented entertainments dominated the commercial world. In chapter five, the people of Japan turned wartime slogans into slogans for reconstruction and peace. They used witty defeat jokes as a way to escape despair. Even though they were defeated, the people of Japan pushed through the misery and sought to reinvent their identity as illustrated through prostitution, the black market, and “Bridges of Language” (p. 168).
Gyuri paradoxically represents both the defeat yet survival of Japan. She is splashed all over the newspapers, an incredible cultural source of history, a ‘hidden treasure’, but is completely isolated, cannot acquire a job or even receive hugs. She is a reminder of the trauma, pain and shock. Even though her look is so distinctive, she does not even recognize herself.
Some linguists claim that dealing with the process of finding equivalence is the most significant issue existing among translation processes and that is one of the mains principles of Western theory of translation. Translation is a mean of communication and in order for it to be effective it is crucial to establish appropriate equivalence between source and target text. Nida defines translation as “reproducing in the receptor language the closest natural equivalent of the source-language message, first in terms of meaning and secondly in terms of style”. (Nida, 1982, p. 12) It is conspicuous that equivalence is one of basic concepts of translation which cannot be overlooked. This complex phenomenon often becomes a measure which helps to define the process of translation. Number of researches stress on the important role of the equivalence for the translation process and it is hard to hard to overestimate the role of equivalence in translation. Use of equivalence translation help people to understand each other and enables achieving communication goals. Achieving maximum linguistic, grammar and structural equivalence is inevitably linked with certain restrictions and limitations but the skilful use of equivalents can undoubtedly benefit the results of translation act. Despite different approaches, the equivalence is an important
1. A translated document should read as if it were written in the target language. If it can be identified as a translated document, your translator did not give you 100 percent.
The second half of the last century have seen a great advance in translation field ( translation studies discipline ). Which make many translation scholars emphasis on the importantce of knowing the translation theory for the translators since the translation studies become a discipline.Mona Baker stats”
Daniel Gouadec (2002: 273) said in Translation as a Profession that "most translation problems and potential risks could be resolved by getting as much information as possible prior to a translation project". As to the translation project in this report, I made preparation in the following aspects: