Translation into Spanish Not just translating words: interpreters as cultural facilitators

Interpretation goes beyond the mere transfer of words between languages. The text highlights the importance of the cultural aspect of interpreting, emphasizing that each language carries with it a unique history and social context. The constantly evolving dynamics of languages require interpreters to possess not only solid linguistic skills, but also a deep understanding of the cultures involved. It is emphasized that interpreters act as cultural facilitators, making necessary adaptations to ensure effective communication.

CONTENTS

• Introduction to Interpretation 1.1. As linguistic mediators

• Importance of the Cultural Aspect 2.1. History, social and political context

• Language Dynamism 3.1. Constant evolution and use by speakers

• Beyond Words 4.1. Cultural elements in translation and interpreting

• Cultural Facilitators 5.1. Continuous training of interpreters

• Practical Examples 6.1. Reflection of cultural significance in sayings.

• Cultural Adaptations 7.1. Need for adjustments for effective communication

• The Complexity of Translationss 8.1. Complete ideas about single words

• Interpreter Preparation 9.1. Linguistic and cultural to connect participants

Introduction to Interpretation

As we have said on previous occasions, interpreters are linguistic mediators between people who do not speak the same language, however, it is very important to remember that interpreting is not a mere transfer of words from one language to another, there are many aspects involved. Among them is the cultural issue, which is essential when it comes to interpreting, here's why.

Behind every language there is a history, a changing social, political and cultural context, which is why they are dynamic and in constant evolution, which is directly related to the use given to them by their speakers. For this reason, when a translation or interpreting service is provided, beyond the linguistic part, there is a culture and non-linguistic elements that must be transmitted, in order to express the message in the target language with all its elements as faithfully as possible.

Importance of the Cultural Aspect

Therefore, interpreters must also be cultural facilitators and be in continuous training. In other words, they must have full knowledge of the languages, but they must also have cultural knowledge of both communities. This is essential because sometimes there are no linguistic equivalents for a translation, but cultural equivalents.

An example of the above are sayings, because each culture has its own way of expressing them. Let's take the following saying: "Raining cats and dogs". In English this is a way of saying that it is raining a lot and if it were translated literally as "Llueven perros y gatos" it would not be a cultural adaptation, it would be a literal translation that would make it a little difficult for the receiver to understand the idea, since in Spanish there are already expressions to express the same thing "está lloviendo a cántaros" (it is raining cats and dogs).

Beyond Words

Considering the above, it can be observed that a literal or word-for-word transfer would hinder communication between the participants, since this would force the receiver within the communicative act to adapt to a culture that is not his own, and clearly this is not what is sought, because each community has its own culture. This is precisely the job of the interpreter: to be a cultural mediator, that is, to make the necessary cultural adaptations to allow adequate communication.

As you can see, isolated words are never translated, what we try to convey are complete ideas. In addition, each translation depends on the socio-cultural context of each language and community, as they are all very different. Thus, the interpreter must be prepared linguistically but also culturally so that he/she can properly connect the participants who require his/her services.

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Glossary

• Interpretation: The process of orally translating a speech from one language to another.

• Cultural Facilitators: Interpreters who understand and adapt cultural aspects in their work.

• Cultural Equivalents: Adaptations that go beyond literal translation.

• Sayings: Idiomatic expressions that reflect the culture of a community.

• Effective Communication: Successful transmission of ideas between participants from different cultures.

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