You want your documents, website and apps localized, but is 100 percent localization possible? Not really. Some words simply can’t be translated. You probably already know this, but what many people don’t know is why. Our words — each and every one of them — are so much more than a description. They can tell you so much about relationships, values, feelings. Ultimately, words themselves don’t carry any clout — they’re merely a means of expression.
However, you can’t expect two words in different languages to always reflect identical expressions or ideas. This is why not all words can be translated, and some people believe no words can truly be translated. Languages cannot be separated from culture.
Just an Expression
At best, words in different languages can overlap. However, parts of the word, or links to them, sometimes don’t quite match up. These disparities are easiest to spot in slang or expressions that may be common in some languages. For example, the Gujarati word punya has no English translation. The closest description is “opposite of sin,” but you can’t substitute it with virtue or sinless, because a native speaker will tell you that it’s still not right. It’s an inherent part of the Hindu culture, even though many native English speakers will correlate anything related to sin (even its opposite) to a strictly Christian (Western) idea.
The Cherokee have no word that equates to zero. The concept simply didn’t exist. In the past 100 years, a word was created in order to help nurture the Cherokee language and teach it to younger generations. This was done to ensure that the language could be considered whole by today’s standards. Just like any other language, new words can be created as new concepts or perspectives develop.
Translate This
Just because a word can’t be directly translated doesn’t mean translators are left stumped ― they have many ways to tackle this issue. Many use adaptation, where the word’s context is translated to a like context with a nod toward the audience’s culture. Some translators paraphrase, using a description with the source word as a foundation, while others borrow directly (writing the original word with a description in italics). They may use calque, which is a verbatim translation (in this case, a footnote is often used to avoid confusing the reader while keeping the translation genuine). In many cases, footnotes are a translator’s best friend. Connect with Verbatim Solutions for certified, qualified translators for localization and clever ways of untangling the untranslatable.
