Translation Tenchniques Found in Manufacturing Magazines

Manufacturing magazines sent to my company as monthly basis are the valuable data to understand what kinds of technique translators use to interpret the meaning from source language (English) into receptor language (Thai) or vice versa. As roughly take a look and review the data, the techniques are found as follows:

1. Adding Information
SL : The Chinese and Malaysia automotive markets are growing rapidly.
RL : ปัจจุบันตลาดรถยนต์จีนและมาเลเซียถือได้ว่ากำลังเจริญเติบโตอย่างรวดเร็ว

As can be seen, "ปัจจุบัน" and "ถือได้ว่า" are not found in SL. But, translator adds them to make the translated version explicit and to sound natural in RL.

2. Implicit to Explicit
SL : China represents an opportunity for Thai parts manufacturers to enter and penetrate these two markets.
RL : จึงเป็นโอกาสที่ผู้ผลิตชิ้นส่วนไทยจะเข้าไปเปิดตลาดทั้งสองประเทศนี้

As can bee seen in SL, the original text says "these two markets" which means "ทั้งสองตลาดนี้" in the translated text. But, translator selects "ทั้งสองประเทศนี้-these two countries" to make the meaning clearer and easier to understand for Thai readers as it sounds natural.

3. Changing Parts of Speech
SL : Therefore, the company turned to the development of its surface metal coating process to become more efficient.
RL : ดังนั้นบริษัทจึงหันมาพัฒนากระบวนการชุบโลหะที่มีอยู่แล้วให้มีประสิทธิภาพมากขึ้น

As can be seen, the word "development" must be translated as "การพัฒนา" which its parts of speech is noun. In order to sound natural, "พัฒนา" is selected for target language.

4. Omission of Sentence Connector
SL : As a result, the company expanded its working area from a few shop houses and 4-5 workers to a new factory of over 6,000 square meters area…
RL : บริษัทจึงได้ขยายพื้นที่การทำงานเพิ่มขึ้นจากเดิมที่เป็นห้องแถวมีพนักงาน 4-5 คน มาสร้างเป็นโรงงานใหม่พื้นที่กว่า 6,000 ตรม...

"As a result" is skipped in the translated version as you can see. The traslator intends to skip "as a result" because this omission will not affect the whole meaning of sentence and paragraph.

5. Switching Word Function/Location
SL : Difference is in the Expertise.
RL : ความเชี่ยวชาญคือความแตกต่าง

As can be seen, the translator changes the function of word between "difference" and "expertise" when translation is done. The "difference" as subject of sentence is changed to object of sentence while "expertise" is swithed from object to subject. This technique is also employed to make the translated text sound natural and clear.

Note : SL stands for Source Language. RL stands for Receptor Language.

To sum up, the techniques found in the translated version are mostly used to make the translated text sound natural and clear in meaning for Thai readers. The other point that we must take into account is the Thai structure and grammar which direct the impact to translation. So, the translated version sounds like it is written in Thai by Thai. This is one of the important objectives for all translators. The other techniques would be presented later in next article.

Quiz II Mark of Business Translation I

44151018 = 22 (3.7)
48151001 = 24.5 (4.1)
48151002 = 24 (4)
48151005 = 19.5 (3.3)
48151006 = 20 (3.3)
48151009 = 17 (2.8)
48151010 = 22 (3.7)
48151011 = 18.5 (3.1)
48151014 = 19.5 (3.3)
48151015 = 18.5 (3.1)
48151016 = 17.5 (2.9)
48151017 = 17 (2.8)
48151018 = 29 (4.8)
48151021 = 14 (2.3)
48151022 = 22.5 (3.8)
48151023 = 27.5 (4.8)
48151026 = 21 (3.5)
48151028 = 24.5 (4.1)
48151029 = 15.5 (2.6)
48151031 = 10 (1.7)
49151501 = 0 (0) [absent]

Vocabulary for Final Exam of Business Translation I

Here are the vocabularies being found in the final examination of Business Translation I. To facilitate your final exam, you must prepare the meaning of all words given in the picture file at your left hand side. You can double click on it. Then, the visible words are pop-up....Noted that only one meaning for one word may not be enough to suit the meaning in the given context. For sure, you must carefully check up the other meanings in a dictionary as well. It would be more beneficial and practical if you use English-English Dictionary for meaning search. Well-prepared is half-done.......

Quiz I Mark of Business Translation I

44151018 = 17 (2.8)
48151001 = 21.5 (3.6)
48151002 = 12.5 (2.1)
48151005 = 10 (1.7)
48151006 = 18.5 (3.1)
48151009 = 8.5 (1.4)
48151010 = 15 (2.5)
48151011 = 15 (2.5)
48151014 = 23 (3.8)
48151015 = 17.5 (2.9)
48151016 = 16.5 (2.8)
48151017 = 14 (2.3)
48151018 = 25 (4.2)
48151021 = 14 (2.3)
48151022 = 8.5 (1.4)
48151023 = 22 (3.7)
48151026 = 19.5 (3.3)
48151028 = 15.5 (2.6)
48151029 = 6.5 (1.1)
48151031 = 5.5 (0.9)
49151501 = 12.5 (2.1)

The second quiz score is going to be uploaded tomorrow......

Midterm Mark of Business Translation I

44151018 = 35 (21.88)
48151001 = 38 (23.75)
48151002 = 29.5 (18.44)
48151005 = 32.5 (20.31)
48151006 = 22.3 (13.91)
48151009 = 18.5 (11.56)
48151010 = 25.5 (15.94)
48151011 = 24 (15)
48151014 = 25 (15.63)
48151015 = 22.5 (14.06)
48151016 = 37.5 (23.44)
48151017 = 13 (8.13)
48151018 = 37.5 (23.44)
48151021 = 24.5 (15.31)
48151022 = 15 (9.38)
48151023 = 34 (21.25)
48151026 = 20.5 (12.81)
48151028 = 27 (16.88)
48151029 = 16 (10)
48151031 = 16.5 (10.31)
49151501 = 21.5 (13.44)

CONGRATULATIONS !!!!!! to KARNJANA who gets highest score........

For the one who cannot pass the exam, don't worry too much. Just try your best to get more score from quiz, translation project, attendance and final exam. The more you read, the more you get. CHEER UP !!!!!

Make-up Schedule

Here are our make-up schedules. Be punctual to attend the class !!!!!

Day/ Date/ Time/ Room Number/ Subject

1. Sat/ 26-Jan-08/ 08:30-11:30/ M213/ BT
2. Sat/ 02-Feb-08/ 08:30-11:30/ M213/ MM
3. Sat/ 09-Feb-08/ 08:30-11:30/ M213/ BT
4. Sat/ 16-Feb-08/ 08:30-11:30/ M213/ BT
5. Sat/ 23-Feb-08/ 08:30-11:30/ M213/ MM

Note :

MM is English for Management and Marketing.
BT is Business Translation I.

If any changes on schedule and room number, I will keep you updated.

Importance of Correct Grammar Used in Business Writing

In business context, writing is one of persuasive communication channels to internal and external organization. In order to enable yourself to write correctly, you must pay special attention on language structure. Then, you can put words in a right place to make your audience understand what you’d like to say. Someone might observe that it is quite difficult to make it happened even though they have studied English since they were at primary school, maybe earlier for someone. But, they still cannot use in an effective way when they deal with foreigners, westerners and English speakers in Asian countries, particularly they are in global business atmosphere. Most people never know what grammatical difference in use between “because” and “because of” when they encounter this kind of conjunction.

As of today, not only Sales Representative and Marketing Officer must speak and use English effectively, but also Engineer people must perform their jobs well with English ability in use. They would have to discuss the engineering issues with their team in overseas to clarify the spec and qualification process to satisfy customer’s need and expectation to run the international business. All wordings used in engineering field are mostly technical term and jargon which they comprehend among people in their field. Even though they use their jargon effectively, they still cannot reach their goals if they perform ill-formed English for communication.

At this stage, it would be assumed that all learners should start acquiring the fundamental grammar to assure the proper competency ready for working life condition. Correctness of grammar used in real life situation is obviously important as it reveals our English competency and ability in use and application. The bright reason is that writers have enough time to correct any mistakes on their writing task prior to publish. So, the readers might not accept any mistakes on writing. The writing performance will show writers’ intellectual level and English capability. In business world, it is said that good writing could possibly make profit. On the other hand, it could also possibly make loss if bad writing is conducted.