Theories of localization, Part 1

TL;DR

Translators often face uncertainty in their work, and there are different ways to address this, including pretending to be professional and adding a sense of control through codification and localization.

Transcript

let's imagine that all translators have heard my mention yesterday and and now prepared to admit that they really don't know the meanings or the sense they translate you're going to confess to each other within the kitchen of our workspace that we're not really sure don't tell the readers don't tell the clients don't tell the audience don't tell an... Read More

Key Insights

• 😀 Translators often face uncertainties and doubts regarding the meanings and sense of their translations.
• 💦 Presenting oneself as a professional and projecting confidence can contribute to building trust in the work.
• 🎮 The localization paradigm aims to bring control and codification to the translation process.
• 💐 Globalization and the centralization of intellectual production influence translation flows from the center to the periphery.
• 👻 Codification within the localization paradigm allows for a sense of control and certainty in the translation workflow.
• 🌐 Certain languages, such as English, become lingua franca due to their centrality in global communication and trade.
• 🥺 The globalization of trade and communication lowers the cost of movement, leading to increased translation and specialization.

Questions & Answers

Q: How do translators deal with uncertainty in their work?

Translators can cope with uncertainty by pretending to be professional, projecting confidence to gain the trust of clients and audiences. By maintaining an appearance of expertise, translators are more likely to be trusted, despite any doubts they may have.

Q: What is the localization paradigm?

The localization paradigm is a method of translation that emphasizes control and codification. It involves breaking down the text into manageable steps and ensuring that every aspect, except the language itself, is tightly controlled within a workflow process.

Q: How does the globalization of trade impact translation?

As trade becomes globalized, areas of specialization develop within economic systems. Intellectual production tends to concentrate in central nodes, while consumption occurs on the periphery. Translation, in this context, predominantly moves from the center to the periphery, with certain languages, such as English, becoming lingua franca due to their centrality.

Q: What is the role of codification in translation?

Codification plays a significant role in the localization paradigm. By controlling and standardizing every aspect of the translation process, except the language itself, translators gain a sense of control and certainty. This allows for smoother workflow processes and the appearance of professionalism.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Translators often struggle with uncertainties and doubts about the meanings and sense of their translations.

• One way to address this is to pretend to be professional, as confidence and appearance can influence trust from clients and audiences.

• The localization paradigm aims to control the translation process through codification and workflow processes.