Translation between Italian and Spanish is a complex task that, despite the closeness both languages share due to their Latin roots, presents a series of challenges that translators must approach with care and skill. While the similarity between these languages often makes translation easier, cultural, grammatical, and lexical differences can lead to unexpected difficulties. This article examines the main challenges translators face when translating from Italian to Spanish and the strategies they can employ to ensure precise and fluent translations.
Similarities and Differences: A Double-Edged Sword
Italian and Spanish are Romance languages that share a common Latin root, meaning both languages have very similar grammatical and lexical structures. This connection makes translation between these two languages relatively easier compared to languages that do not share a common base, such as English or Arabic.
For example, many words in Italian have direct equivalents in Spanish, which simplifies the translation of simple or technical texts. Vocabulary such as “casa”, “libro”, “amico” (friend), “scuola” (school), or “luna” (moon) has an immediate correspondence in both languages.
However, there are differences that can complicate the process. Although the words may seem similar, in some cases their meaning may vary or have different connotations, creating what are known as “false friends.” A clear example is the word “pretendere”, which in Italian means “to demand,” but in Spanish “pretender” means “to desire” or “to attempt,” which has a different meaning.
Moreover, despite sharing common roots, Italian and Spanish have grammatical and syntactical structures that don’t always align. For instance, in Italian, the use of definite and indefinite articles may differ slightly from Spanish, requiring subtle adjustments during translation. The word order and use of verb tenses also present differences that translators must manage skillfully.
Common Challenges in Italian to Spanish Translation
1. False Friends: A Major Obstacle
One of the primary challenges when translating from Italian to Spanish is dealing with false friends. These are terms that, although they look or sound similar, have different meanings. False friends are a major source of error in translation between closely related languages like Italian and Spanish.
Some common examples of false friends include:
- “Attualmente” (Italian), which means “currently,” but in Spanish “actualmente” refers to “in the present moment,” while “attualmente” means “in these moments” or “in the present day.”
- “Realizzare” (Italian), which translates as “to realize” or “to achieve,” but in Spanish “realizar” is typically used in the context of “to carry out” or “to make happen.”
- “Salire” (Italian), which means “to go up,” but in Spanish “salir” means “to leave a place,” which can create confusion if not carefully considered in context.
These examples illustrate how superficial similarities can lead to major mistakes. We recommend to pay attention to the differences in meaning.
2. Idiomatic Expressions: A Cultural Challenge
As with many other language pairs, idiomatic expressions present a challenge in Italian to Spanish translation. Expressions that are common and natural in one language do not always have a direct translation in the other. Translating an idiomatic expression literally can lead to incoherent or nonsensical results.
For example, the Italian expression “in bocca al lupo”, which is used to wish someone good luck, has no literal translation in Spanish, where the equivalent expression is “buena suerte”. Translating it word by word as “in the mouth of the wolf” would be confusing to a Spanish speaker who would not understand the cultural context behind the phrase.
Another common expression in Italian is “chi dorme non piglia pesci”, which literally means “who sleeps doesn’t catch fish,” and translates into Spanish as “he who doesn’t take risks, doesn’t win.” As seen, these expressions are very different in form but convey a similar message in both languages.
3. Regional Variations: Diversity in the Italian World
Like Spanish, Italian has significant regional variations. Differences in vocabulary, pronunciation, and expressions between standard Italian and regional dialects can make the translator’s job even more complicated. Roman Italian is closest to standard Italian. In regions like Sicily and Naples, dialects influence words and phrases.
In some Italian regions, different words refer to everyday objects. A speaker from another area may not immediately understand them. The translator must consider regional diversity when making choices. They must decide which variant to use based on the target audience.
Similarly, there are words that, although they appear to have the same meaning in both variants, carry different connotations. This is especially important in cultural, tourism, or literary texts, where precision is essential.
Strategies for Accurate and Natural Translation
1. Understanding the Cultural Context
One of the key strategies for ensuring an accurate translation is to have a deep understanding of the cultural context of both the source and target languages. Cultural differences play a crucial role in the choice of words and expressions. The translator must be able to convey not just the literal meaning but also the cultural nuances behind each term.
2. Use of Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) Tools
Computer-assisted translation tools (CAT), specialized glossaries, and bilingual dictionaries are essential for maintaining coherence and accuracy throughout the translation process. These resources allow the translator to consult terms and expressions as well as save previous translations to avoid inconsistencies.
3. Thorough Revision
Once the translation is completed, the revision stage is crucial. A second translator or style editor should read the translation to detect possible errors, inconsistencies, or passages that do not sound natural in the target language. The revision ensures that the final translation is faithful, smooth, and appropriate for the intended audience.
Conclusion
Translating from Italian to Spanish is a challenging yet rewarding task due to the closeness between the two languages. However, differences in vocabulary, grammatical structures, and idiomatic expressions require the translator to be well-prepared and aware of the nuances of both languages. False friends, regional variations, and cultural particularities must be carefully handled to ensure the translation is accurate, faithful, and fluent. By mastering these strategies and tools, translators can overcome the obstacles that arise when translating between these two beautiful languages and deliver high-quality work.
