Methods of Translation

Some of the common methods of translation are as follows:

Word-for-word translation: Here the source language word is translated into another language by their most common meanings, which can also be out of context at times, especially in idioms and proverbs.

Literal Translation: Here the source language grammatical constructions are translated to their nearest target language. However the lexical words are translated singly, out of context.

Faithful Translation: Here the translation interprets the exact contextual meaning of the original within the constraints of the grammatical structures of the target language.

Semantic Translation: Semantic translation refers to that type of translation which takes into account the aesthetic value of the source language text.

Adaptation: Adaptation refers to that type of translation which is used mainly for plays and poems. The text is rewritten considering the source language culture which is converted to the target language culture where the characters, themes, plots are usually preserved.

Free Translation: This method of translation produces the translated text without the style, form, or content of the original text.

Idiomatic Translation: It translates the message of the original text but tends to distort the original meaning at times by preferring colloquialisms and idioms.

Communicative Translation: This method displays the exact contextual meaning of the original text in a manner where both content and language are easily acceptable and comprehensible to the readers.