ATA - American Translators Association General vs. Specialized Terminology Questions and Answers

Question 1

An ATA exam passage is a consumer-facing article about personal finance.
The source text uses the technical term 'amortization schedule.' The Translation Instructions specify the target audience is the general public with no financial expertise.
Which of the following translation choices would be most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Translate it as 'amortization schedule' and add a brief, parenthetical explanation, such as '(a table detailing each loan payment).'

Answer

Use the direct technical equivalent of 'amortization schedule' without explanation.

Answer

Use a simplified, explanatory phrase like 'loan repayment plan showing principal and interest' and omit the technical term entirely.

Answer

Substitute the term with a more general concept like 'payment information.'

Question 2

In the ATA Framework for Standardized Error Marking, a candidate's failure to use a specific term required by a particular subject field (e.g., using 'high blood pressure' instead of 'hypertension' in a medical journal article) would be classified as what type of error?

Accepted Answer

Terminology (T)

Answer

Grammar (G)

Answer

Faithfulness (F)

Answer

Usage (U)

Question 3

A translator is working on an exam passage taken from a legal contract. The source text consistently uses a specific, defined legal term. To demonstrate strong professional practice regarding terminology, the translator should:

Accepted Answer

Translate the term consistently with its precise legal equivalent throughout the entire target text.

Answer

Use a variety of synonyms for the term to make the text more engaging for the reader.

Answer

Simplify the term into more general language to ensure readability.

Answer

Provide multiple translation options for the term separated by a slash (e.g., 'plaintiff/claimant').

Question 4

Which of the following scenarios best illustrates a 'Text Type' (TT) error related to terminology choice?

Accepted Answer

Using the term 'cephalalgia' instead of 'headache' in a translation of a pharmaceutical advertisement aimed at the general public.

Answer

Translating a French menu item 'pommes de terre' literally as 'apples of the earth' instead of 'potatoes.'

Answer

Incorrectly spelling a common technical term throughout the translation.

Answer

Using the correct legal term but with inconsistent capitalization.

Question 5

The Translation Instructions (TIs) for a passage state the target text is for a user manual for a new camera, intended for amateur photographers. The source text, written by engineers, uses the term 'variable aperture.' What is the most appropriate strategy?

Accepted Answer

Use the standard, specialized term 'variable aperture' as it is common in photography.

Answer

Translate it simply as 'lens opening' to avoid technical jargon.

Answer

Omit the term and describe its function in a new sentence.

Answer

Invent a new, more user-friendly term for the concept.

Question 6

When translating a general-interest news article, a translator encounters the term 'black box' referring to a flight data recorder. The most appropriate action is to:

Accepted Answer

Use the common, everyday term 'black box' if it is also the standard term in the target language for that concept.

Answer

Translate it literally, even if the resulting phrase is not the standard term in the target language.

Answer

Use the highly technical term 'flight data recorder' to be more precise.

Answer

Add a footnote explaining the origin and function of a 'black box.'