What is editorial translation?
Editorial translation is the translation of any material that is publishable, either as a physical copy or digitally. These materials may be novels, academic essays, poetry, brochures or magazines. This is not an exhaustive list and there are many types of publishable content that can be translated and fit under the umbrella of editorial translation.
It is a different form of translation from something like technical translation as there is a greater emphasis on retaining the emotion, style and intention of the original author’s words rather than a purely literal translation. An editorial translation must also consider the intended audience, particularly their culture, customs and idiomatic language. This ensures that the author’s intention remains intact and is not lost in translation.
In the new digital age, editorial translation involves a lot of online and digital content, a trend which is likely to continue. However, printed content is also frequently translated in the form of books, manuscripts and poetry. Academic and scientific documents are also subject to editorial translation services.
What skills are needed for editorial translation?
To work as an editorial translator, there are some skills that are common to all translation services. These include:
- Mastery of both the source and target language. A translator must be fluent in a second language and well versed in the grammar, syntax and lexicon of their native tongue.
- Experience of the translation industry. Having fluency in two languages doesn’t create a translator, that takes experience within the translation industry. The skills of a precise translator take years to hone.
- Writing skills. Unlike a technical translation, which needs precision and accuracy, an editorial translation also requires the skills of an excellent writer. Crafting content in a new language is an art form and an editorial translator needs to have the necessary writing skills, adaptability and fluidity.
- Attention to detail. All translators need to have excellent attention to detail. For an editorial translator, that detail must extend to the culture and customs of the intended audience to ensure the content is localized.
- Knowledge of the publishing sector. An editorial translator must have experience within the publishing world so that they fully understand the process.
- Understanding of the target culture. A deep understanding of the culture, customs, idioms and humour of the intended audience is important to make sure the translation is appropriate and correctly understood.
- Specialist expertise. A wide range of subjects is covered by editorial translation and it’s crucial that the translator has experience and knowledge of the subject matter and its associated terminology, for accuracy, precision and quality of the translation.
- Research skills. Even the most experienced specialist needs to be able to research certain facts, verify sources and remain up to date with industry developments.
- Technical ability. The use of technology as part of professional translation services is essential and an editorial translator should be familiar and competent using these tools. Whether it’s a glossary used for consistency or translation memory, these products support human translation and are an essential part of a translator’s skillset.
- Communication skills. Clear communication between a translator and client or agency is vital to a successful business. Whether a translator is freelance or part of an agency, communication is vital.
What types of texts need editorial translation?
The type of translation projects and texts requiring an editorial translator cover two main fields, print (paper) and digital publishing.
Translation of printed material has been happening for thousands of years, from manuscripts to books, in an effort to break down cultural barriers and expand information and knowledge. For modern translators however, the type of texts most commonly translated are:
- Newspapers & magazines
- Books, including fiction, non-fiction, novels, childrens’ literature
- Essays
- Plays
- Poetry
- Promotional materials
- Journals
- Brochures
- Exhibition catalogues
- Academic publications
This is just a sample of the type of materials that need editorial translation and doesn’t cover every industry or text type. However, it gives an indication of the kind of work an editorial translator undertakes.
Digital
With so much digital content online, there is a vast amount of material that requires professional translation and editorial revision, including:
- Ebooks
- Audiobooks
- Podcasts
- Websites
- Film subtitles
There are many genres and formats within the two types of texts requiring editorial translation, each with its own unique characteristics. This makes editorial translation a wide reaching and interesting profession.
Also read: How much does an editorial translation cost?
What is an editorial translator?
An editorial translator is someone who is a professional translator, typically with a qualification in linguistics, and who works with publishable material. They may either be freelance or work with an agency such as Espresso Translations.
A freelance editorial translator works for themselves and is responsible for sourcing clients for their business. This means that on top of the skills required to be an excellent translator, they must also possess good business acumen and the ability to sell their services. Communication is key to this, as is a confidence in their capacity to adapt to a variety of materials, cultural settings and target audiences.
When working for an agency, an editorial translator is part of a team and in the case of Espresso Translations, an expansive global network of qualified and experienced linguists. These translators don’t have to search for clients and can instead focus on keeping up to date with developments within their field of expertise and the translation industry in general.
All translators need to be fluent in a second language and confident in their knowledge of their native tongue, including grammar rules, syntax and lexicon.
Embarking on an editorial translation project starts with the translator receiving the material to be translated. At Espresso Translation we only use native speaking translators who have more than five years of experience in the translation industry.
The translator will review and analyse the material, carrying out any research that they deem necessary to produce an accurate and precise translation. With literary translations, the intent of the author as well as their style and tone is studied by the translator. The target audience and their culture is typically known to the translator but any additional research is undertaken to ensure a thorough understanding of the intended market.
When translating the text, the translator must also adapt it to the culture of the intended audience. This is where translation and localization meet. It’s the translator’s job to make sure that the translated text still retains its meaning and context while being understood in a different language and culture.
Once the translation process is complete, the work will be proofread. At Espresso Translations, this is done by both the translator and a second, equally qualified linguist. The client’s account manager will also undertake any final editing and quality control checks before forwarding the completed translation to the client.
What are the differences between editorial and literary translation?
The difference between editorial and literary translation lies in their specificity. In short, editorial translation relates to any kind of publishable text regardless of its subject matter, genre or purpose. On the other hand, literary translation is concerned with artistic content including novels, poetry, plays, essays and manuscripts.
Editorial translation is intended to provide a new audience with the information contained within these various materials. It involves maintaining the context, style and tone as much as possible. However, literary translation allows the translator to use their own writing ability to preserve the emotion, subtext and intent of the author in a new language – allowing the target audience to experience the same reactions and emotions as the original audience.
In essence, literary translation has more artistic freedom to preserve as much of the original intention of the material. There is less nuance within editorial translation but it still provides a precise and accurate representation of the original text.
Conclusions
Editorial translation permits accessibility to various published materials, either in print or in digital format, to a wider audience. The adaptation of books, plays, essays and promotional material for different languages gives publishers, authors and businesses the opportunity to expand their reach. Editorial translators are a vital part of this process. From copyediting to localization, the services they provide benefit content producers and audiences alike.
