The same idea or context in different languages can convey quite conflicting perspectives. It’s not just the language but many cultural specifics, including expressions, emotions, beliefs, norms, and social habits denoting diverse views when translated. Due to such ideological implications, native translation services connect with local audiences better. Since English is the top spoken language, the US translators have increased from 49.65% in 2015 to 56.92% in 2020, as per Statista. To strengthen the fact, we have assembled the top reasons why native translations help with cultural differences.
1. Know the Language Barriers
Commitments and unique psychological entities vary from language to language. A native Arabic translator in Canada would have these distinct better, knowing common words that Arabs may misinterpret. A practical example explaining language barriers would be considering the “translation blunder” Honda made in 2001. They launched a car model, Fitta. The authorities came across the fact later that the same word meant female sexual organs in Danish, Swedish, and Norwegian. Ultimately the company had to change the name to Jazz, which made absolute sense.
2. Aware of The Cliches & Taboos in Native Translation
Cultural references make a massive change in how one translates any context. The companies who take translation services are willing to sell originality, and only a native translator can save them from embarrassing situations such as repeating cliche ideas or thoughts. They even know the taboos in certain regions. For example, in 1977, an American former president visited Poland and hired a Russian translator. Since he wasn’t familiar with the Taboos, he ended up saying “your lusts for the future” where he had to say “your desires for the future.” It was quite an embarrassing situation for the president himself.
3. Familiar With Current News
The translation is not about the literal conversion of language, word to word. It includes all the happenings of a specific region and its implications on the context. That’s what differentiates a native translator on a cultural basis. Whether you’re targeting the legal, technical, business, fashion, or education-related industry, incorporating the excitement or sorrows for any news is a compulsion. It sounds more original and authentic.
4. Differentiate Literal & Contextual Meaning
A person does not always mean the exact word he’s uttering. Native translators understand the depth of each context stated in particular circumstances and for certain target audiences. A common example here would be of idioms we learned back while studying English grammar. A piece of cake is not actually a sweet frosting. The context is entirely different. And as for cultures, it’s not as simple as the homophones. For instance, the conscience for a Muslim country means the presence of the Creator within our souls, but the same word in an English country would be know-how of the good and evil.
Conclusion for Native Translation
Living in 2021, if you think AI-based translations can help you find a cultural-centered way to reach audiences across the country, you may be wrong. A recent study concluded that these automated translations are grammatically awkward 90% of the time. Cultural differences can cause enormous consequences and embarrassments like the one Former president of America faced in 1977. Embrace the native translation emotionally, socially, ideologically, and culturally because the locals identify such blunders in seconds and leave you nothing but awkwardness.
