Definitions of translation

“Translation is the process of rendering a text from one language into another while maintaining the original message and communication” Despite being the most common definition of translation, it’s not the most accurate.

Merriam-Webster’s definition of translation

Due to its prominence, translation has been viewed differently by many sources. According to Merriam-Webster, translation is “words that have been changed from one language into a different language: words that have been translated”, “the act or process of translating something into a different language”, and “ the act or process of changing something from one form to another”. These definitions reveal that translation is all about rendering a text from one language into another.

Oxford’s definition of translation

Oxford dictionaries illustrate that translation is “the process of translating words or text from one language”, or “a written or spoken rendering of the meaning of a word or text in another language”.

These definitions also explicate the most obvious function of translation which is the transmittal of written text from one language into another.

Dictionary.com’s definition of translation

 Dictionary.com exemplifies that translation is “the rendering of something into another language or into one’s own from another language”, which delivers the same meaning as the previous definitions, providing a superficial non-inclusive definition of translation.

Translation plays a key role in building, connecting and defining cultures.

Culture reflects the ways in which people behave, it shapes their social habits, beliefs, traditions and customs, that is why efficient communication must consider such aspects while addressing people of different cultural backgrounds. When we are trying to know more about the culture, language is the first obstacle we face and translation is how we overcome it.

As you can notice, none of the above definitions reinforces the importance of cultural aspects in the process of translation as they only focus on one main idea, the conversion of a text

Bayan’s definition of translation

Here, Bayan translation pops up with a more accurate and factual definition, showing how translation and culture are intimately connected. From our perspective, translation is precisely defined as “the process of rendering content from one culture to another through the optimum use of language”.

It is shown clearly to what extent Bayan translation knows about the importance of translation in connecting cultures, explicating deeply, through its definition,

that translation is the only possible way to help us better understand and appreciate each other’s differences and ways of living, create cultural network and globalization.

Bayan vs Others

Bayan transition points out that translation should be focused not merely on language transfer but also on cultural transposition as we consider the main purpose of translation is to “convey” the original tone and intent of a message, taking into account cultural and regional differences between source and target languages”.

Thus, translation builds bridges between cultures and acts as the expression of culture, society, and beliefs.