Translating Idioms

and Literal Translation

Translating idioms presents a unique challenge for translators, as these phrases often carry meanings that extend beyond their literal interpretations.

Understanding the nuances of idioms and the pitfalls of literal translation is crucial for effective communication across languages.

Idioms are expressions that have a figurative meaning, which is understood culturally rather than literally. For example, the idiom "spill the beans" means to reveal a secret, not to drop legumes.

Literal translation refers to translating text word-for-word, which can lead to misunderstandings, especially with idiomatic expressions. When idioms are translated literally, the intended meaning is often lost, leading to confusion for the reader or listener.

Example of Literal Translation
Idiom: "Kick the bucket" (meaning to die)
Literal Translation: If translated directly into another language without context, it might confuse a reader who interprets it as a physical action.

 Strategies
for Translating Idioms

Find an Equivalent Idiom: Look for an idiomatic expression in the target language that conveys the same meaning. For example, instead of translating "it's raining cats and dogs" literally, use the equivalent expression in the target language.

Use a Functional Equivalent: If no direct equivalent exists, consider using a phrase that captures the intended effect. For instance, "to let the cat out of the bag" can be translated as "to reveal a secret."

Paraphrase the Meaning: In cases where idioms do not translate well, paraphrasing can be an effective solution. Instead of using an idiom, explain the idea in straightforward language to ensure clarity.

 He was like a bull in a china shop. While in 

In English, this colorful expression paints a vivid picture. In Serbian, we say “slon u staklarskoj radnji,” which could be literally translated as "an elephant in a glass shop," capturing the same sense of clumsiness and potential chaos.

 When it comes to "raining cats and dogs," the Serbian equivalent—“pljušti kao iz kabla”—could roughly be translated as “rain is bucketing down,” which perfectly conveys the intensity of heavy rain.

 The phrase "not my cup of tea" is often translated literally; however, a more accurate translation would be “nije mi po volji”—"it’s not to my liking," reflecting a personal preference rather than a literal reference to tea.

 As for "all the bells and whistles," which refers to nonessential but attractive features, one might say “sa svim dodacima”—“with all the accessories." However, the direct translation would miss the mark entirely.

 The expression "let the bygones be bygones" was (at least) once humorously translated as “neka begonije budu begonije”—"let the begonias be begonias"—because, hey, bygones, begonias—tomayto, tomato...

 When someone says, "She was tired of one-night stands," they mean that the person is now looking for a steady relationship. However, one translator interpreted it as her being tired of standing up all night—“Bila je umorna od jedne noći stajanja.”

 When someone exclaims, "You're driving me crazy," the translated sentence should not evoke a mental image of someone sitting shotgun with a crazy driver, as with “Voziš me ludo.”

 There's also a common act of proposing a drink in honor of someone or something: “Let’s make a toast.” Unfortunately, we often see it translated as: “Hajde da napravimo tost”—“Let’s make a slice of toast.”

 "His china blue eyes" was once translated as: “Njegove kineske oči”—"his Chinese blue eyes." The translator did not consider that "china" is another name for porcelain. However, we can’t help but wonder how many blue-eyed Chinese people this translator has encountered in their life.

 Lastly, saving the best for last, "Silence of the Lambs," a cinematographic masterpiece, was once translated as if the lambs were a family that decided to keep quiet: “Tišina Lambovih.”

 When translating texts that include measurements, metric conversion is crucial for ensuring clarity and understanding. Different countries use different systems of measurement, making it essential for translators to convert units accurately. For instance, while the metric system (meters, liters, kilograms) is widely used around the world, countries like the United States primarily use the imperial system (feet, gallons, pounds).

 Common Metric Conversions

Length:
1 meter = 3.28084 feet
1 kilometer = 0.621371 miles
Volume:
1 liter = 0.264172 gallons
1 milliliter = 0.033814 ounces

Weight:
1 kilogram = 2.20462 pounds
100 grams = 3.5274 ounces
By converting these measurements, translators help ensure that the target audience can easily comprehend the information.

 Number Scales: Large vs. Short Scale
When translating, another important consideration is the conversion of numbers from long to short scale, particularly in financial or scientific contexts. The short scale (used in the U.S. and many other countries) defines a billion as 1,000 million (10^9), while the long scale (used in some European countries) defines a billion as 1 million million (10^12).

This distinction is crucial for translators, as misinterpretation can lead to significant misunderstandings, especially in business and scientific communication.

By paying careful attention to metric conversions and number scales, translators can enhance clarity and ensure that their translations resonate with the target audience.