Three things to consider when translating into Arabic

When it comes to Arabic translation, there is a misconception that Arabic sentences are always longer than their English translation. This case of so-called text expansion does happen when it comes to Arabic translation, but it’s not always the case. The question now is: what should our standard metric really be when judging the quality of translation into Arabic, or other languages ​​for that matter?

First, look for precision. Make sure the Arabic translation is neither shorter nor longer than the font length. We are not talking about the word count of the document here, but about the message itself, the main text and the sub-points of the article. The translator’s task is only to translate the document into a completely new language. There is little to no room for creativity here. Sometimes the author of the document is actually the client, and in this example, it is likely that the final decisions are made by the client.

However, switching from one natural language to another is never simply a matter of composing one-to-one replacements. Cultural and location factors must always be considered. Clients should take full advantage of the translator’s knowledge of how different expressions can be used to express the same thoughts in the Arabic translation. Making use of the alternatives could help the client’s message reach the target audience in a more effective way.

Second, check the grammar and structure. The work of any Arabic translator will never be considered satisfactory if the structure, as well as the grammar, is used incorrectly. For translators, there is always the technical challenge of the difference between structural accuracy and the true meaning of the text. This could lead to errors in judgment about the use of adverbs and the proper placement of adjectives. Consider how the passive and active voices might weaken or strengthen the impact of each statement. An example is that of structural considerations that could alter the message. A good translation agency will work to fix these issues before delivering the final version of the translation to their clients. On the other hand, the client must be able to evaluate the translations carried out. Basic knowledge of the language is essential.

Last but definitely not least, consider style and language. These are more subjective issues, where the translators actually have more control. However, this could also mean more traps to fall into. An example of a cheat is being inappropriately creative when translating into Arabic. The Arabic language has its own classical and modern modes, as well as colloquial varieties. There is the big question when translating whether the agency should preserve the style of the source or just use their own style. If the font style is already good, it’s best to keep it. Basically, this could make the whole Arabic translation process more stable.