Talk:Language translation
Your definition of Language Translation seems very limited. What do you think the activity of all those people at the UN General Assembly providing, say Russian to English conversion of spoken language, in close to real-time should be called? I'd say Language Translation.
Isn't that the difference between translator and interpreter?
In computer programming, translation is changing source code from the syntax and structure of one programming language to that of another while maintaining the end effect. Interpretation is executing the source code during translation.
My $0.02: I think an article about "language translation" (or just "translation") should concern the translation of natural languages by people into other natural languages; only the briefest of mentions of machine translation should be on that page. Machine translation is greatly interesting, particularly to Wikipedians (because so many Wikipedians are programmers), and a friend of mine makes a living designing machine translation systems. But translation properly so called (i.e., done by human beings) is a much older, more widespread, and more important topic than machine translation. Of course, we can (maybe already do?) have an article just on machine translation and the many interesting problems it poses. Again, this is just my $0.02. LMS
When I read the page "Language Translation" and it referred to preserving the meaning and tone, I saw no reason to think this was a about "programming language translation." In fact, I still don't. That is why I remarked on translation of "spoken language." Call this interpretation if you want, it still belongs under natural language translation. I agree with LMS, that this page should be about natural language translation. Machine translation of languages belongs somewhere else, or with a more specific title. Mind you, I spent a number of years on machine transaltion of languages, and yet, I never saw this page as related to that discipline. RoseParks
I was just thrusting in my 2¢ on what real-time conversion would be called, in answer to the first question. Long ago I had a multilingual teacher who described the difference in natural language terms, but I can barely remember that so I used the programming example. --Atlas_2091
- Well, I think what Atlas may be getting at is the differences between text translation, audio translation, live (non-simultaneous) interpretation, and simultaneous interpretation. Each has specific functions, and requires slightly different skill sets:
- Text translation is the translation of a corpus of written information from one language to another. In the case of literary translation, the purpose is to attempt to convey the same meaning while preserving the general mood and nuance of the dialog. In the case of technical translation, meaning and nuance are far less important than getting readers of the target language to achieve the desired result (e.g. successfully assemble a toy). This requires written fluency in the target language.
- Audio translation is the translation of recorded speech information, e.g. a speech, dialog, or presentation. For example, TV shows dubbed into a foreign language - the translator can stop the audio track, rewind, and verify dialog prior to producing a translation. This requires verbal fluency in the target language.
- Live (non-simultaneous) interpretation is in situ translation, with the ability to interrupt and ask for clarification. For example, someone interpreting at a doctor's appointment. This requires verbal fluency in both source and target languages, and a certain amount of short-term memory.
- Simultaneous interpretation is when an interpreter translates the source language of a speaker to an audience's target language while the source language speaker continues speaking. The interpreters at the United Nations, formally trained American Sign Language interpreters, and others are simultaneous interpreters. This requires not only bilingual fluency, but the ability to receive source language input while simultaneously producing target language output.
- Hope that helps some. Feel free to move/copy to other articles, if this is useful. -- pgdudda
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