Answers
Apr 29, 2012 - 11:41 AM
I find that translating between languages is more of an art than a science. Idioms, and other figures of speech often have no direct equivalents, so substitutions must be made. For example, saying in English, "It fits like a hand in a glove," may not communicate well in a tropical area where they don't wear gloves. So, a subsitution for a simliar phrase, "It fits like a ring on a finger" must be made in order to communicate the sense. In my opinion the Fluenz team has done an admirable job of selecting phrases, terms, and word orders that reflect both US and UK English speakers--a very tough job! Although a certain word order may be technically correct in English, that word order may apply best in literature, academic or poetic contexts, but may not fit as well in everyday conversation. If the purpose of a particular translation work is to produce a literal restatement of the words from one language to the other, then, yes, more technical word order choices are available. But if the purpose of a translation is to reproduce the sense and meaning of the words between languages, then the "normal," everyday usage of words is preferred. For example, Martin Luther, when translating the Bible into German, would sometimes spend weeks talking to the common people in order to find the one word that best fit the translation of a particular verse. In other words, translation of sense and meaning requires considering your audience. And I feel the Fluenz team has done a great job on that account.