Language Translation is an Art Form

On the subject of language translation, we at Network Languages have a clear, joint opinion about how to define it: Translation is an art form. Treating it as a science will result in inferior results.

• Art is defined as the quality expression or production according to aesthetic principles of what is appealing, beautiful, or of more than ordinary significance.
• Science is defined as a brand of study or knowledge dealing with facts or truths systematically arranged and showing the operation of general laws.
• Translation is defined as a written communication, in a second language, which has the same meaning as the original.

Truly professional language translation experts such as Network Languages will tell you that there’s more than one way to translate any piece of work. Any word choice can shift the entire meaning and context of the content. When translating, an effective translator accounts for provincial and cultural linguistic differences, as well as the emotional and intellectual communication that was conveyed by the original.

Machine translations cannot take the emotions of readers into account. They cannot reason or feel, and therefore are unable to affect readers in the same way that the original author intended.

When language translators go to work, they mould each piece with word choices that influence all of their following steps, making each finished product a unique one. In any science, there’s only one answer – resulting from a calculator, or a laboratory, analysis. We don’t think there’s an argument. Translation is an art form, and that’s why Network Languages only employs artists – not scientists.

For more information about our language translation services or to receive a quotation please call +44 (0)1344 870700 or get in touch with us by emailing Network Languages >