faithful translation

A faithful translation is one which conveys the message as the author intended it.

For example, a literal word-for-word translation of 'it was raining cats and dogs' would be nonsensical and would not faithfully convey the original as the author intended it. The translator would have to find an equivalent idiom in the target language in order to convey the meaning of the original.
I acknowledge that this level of excellence requires:

  • mastery of the target language equivalent to that of an educated native speaker;
  • up-to-date knowledge of the subject material and its terminology in both languages;
  • access to information resources and reference materials, and knowledge of the tools of my profession;
  • continuing efforts to improve, broaden, and deepen my skills and knowledge.

  • source: ATA (http://www.atanet.org//certification/online_ethics_code.php)

Code of Professional Conduct and Business Practices

I will safeguard the interests of my clients as my own and divulge no confidential information.

Confidentiality often extends beyond the obvious. Translators and interpreters must be careful to avoid even the perception of breaching confidentiality.

  • source: ATA (http://www.atanet.org//certification/online_ethics_code.php)

certified translator

Random foliage

As an ATA Certified Translator from English into Japanese, I will endeavor to translate or interpret the original message faithfully.

Why can't computers translate right?

  • ...and why does literal translation approach so often yield sub-standard Japanese output?
  • Attitudinal Expressions (Taigu-Hyogen) ...a sense of psychological, social distance or closeness held by the speaker toward the listener and third persons referred to in conversation (Ide, 1982, P.111).

    Involved here is linguistic variation along the degrees or levels from formal to informal, respectful to familiar, polite to intimate, humble to arrogant, indirect to blunt, etc. The same information takes different forms of taigu hyogen in accordance to variable conversational settings. (W. B. Gudykunst)

    ...more on Google Book Search     refers to a wide category of linguistic devices to express a sense of psychological, social distance or closeness...
  • A Japanese translator must grasp the source English text with attitudinal sensitivity The resulting Japanese output can unwittingly present itself to be situationally insensitive to the Japanese target audience.
  • Japanese is a pro-drop language The pronouns in the English translations (it, I, you, etc.) appear nowhere in the Japanese sentences, but are understood from context. If nouns or pronouns were supplied, the resulting sentences would be grammatically correct but unnatural.

    ...more on Wikipedia
  • Translation: Getting it Right
    a downloadable publication from ATA
  • word order differences