Translation Techniques 3

Question 1

'Borrowing' as a translation technique means:

Accepted Answer

Using the source-language word directly in the target text

Answer

Borrowing keeps a source word unchanged, such as using 'café' or 'software' in another language.

Question 2

Which pair correctly describes 'direct' versus 'oblique' translation techniques?

Accepted Answer

Direct = borrowing, calque, literal; oblique = transposition, modulation, equivalence, adaptation

Answer

Vinay and Darbelnet classify borrowing, calque, and literal translation as direct, and the rest as oblique.

Question 3

Literal (word-for-word) translation is acceptable when:

Accepted Answer

The two languages share similar structure and the result is grammatical and natural

Answer

Literal translation works well only when the direct rendering remains correct and idiomatic in the target language.

Question 4

Replacing a source-language metric unit with the target audience's customary unit is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Adaptation / localization

Answer

Converting kilometers to miles for a US audience adapts content to local conventions.

Question 5

A translator's note explaining an untranslatable cultural term is a form of:

Accepted Answer

Compensation through external addition (gloss)

Answer

A gloss or footnote compensates for meaning that cannot be carried within the text itself.

Translation Practice Test