Introduction
When you think about Portuguese to Spanish translations, it’s important to remember that while these languages share many similarities (since they come from the same roots), they also have key differences. Ignoring these differences can lead to serious translation mistakes.
To achieve a professional translation between Portuguese and Spanish, translators need a deep understanding of both languages. They should also understand the cultural differences that affect how readers interpret the message. Paying attention to false cognates — words that look similar but mean different things — is equally important. Finally, subject matter expertise ensures accurate and context-appropriate translations.
Key Aspects in Portuguese to Spanish Translations
1.1. False Cognates and Linguistic Traps
False cognates are words that look or sound similar, but have completely different meanings, for instance:
- “Esquisito” (Portuguese) = “Strange” (not “Exquisite”)
- “Oficina” (Portuguese) = “Workshop” (not “Office”)
- “Polvo” (Portuguese) = “Hair” (not “Dust”)
- “Borboleta” (Portuguese) = “Butterfly” (not “Bubbling”)
1.2. Key Grammatical Differences
Preposition Usage: Portuguese often uses the preposition “em”, while Spanish may use “en” or “a” depending on the context. For instance, in location references, the choice of preposition may differ significantly.
Pronoun Placement: Additionally, pronoun placement in Portuguese can vary compared to Spanish. While both languages use object pronouns, their position within a sentence may follow different rules.
Gerund Usage: Furthermore, the use of gerunds also differs between Portuguese and Spanish. In particular, while Portuguese frequently uses gerunds to describe actions in progress, Spanish may prefer alternative verb forms in similar situations.
1.3. Regional Variations to consider in Portuguese to Spanish translations
It’s important to consider that these languages are spoken in different countries around the world, then it is natural that:Portuguese from Portugal is different from Portuguese from Brazil, and Spanish from Spain differs from Latin American Spanish.
Professional Translation Process
2.1. Preliminary Analysis
Before starting a Portuguese to Spanish translation, translators should analyse the text to identify its type, whether it’s technical, legal, medical, or literary. Understanding the target audience helps ensure the right tone and language. Recognising and applying specialised terminology also leads to accurate and faithful translations.
2.2. Translation Phase
In this phase, translators create an initial draft that captures the original text’s meaning. Using glossaries and specialised vocabulary databases improves accuracy. When facing uncertainties, they should consult reliable technical sources for clarification.
2.3. Review and Quality Control
During the review, translators compare the translated text with the original Portuguese version to check for accuracy. They also carefully read the Spanish text to catch errors or inconsistencies. Ensuring uniformity in technical terms throughout the document is essential. Finally, they adjust the style and tone to make the text clear and appropriate for the target audience.
Specialised Fields in Portuguese to Spanish translations
3.1. Legal Translation
In any legal document or sworn translation, the translators need to confirm the legal meaning of each term. For example:
- “Acórdão” = “Judgment”
- “Auto” = “Official Record” (with nuanced differences)
3.2. Medical Translation
Similarly, accuracy is crucial when using medical terms, because a misunderstanding could provoke a dangerous health situation.
Examples of medical terms.
- “Xícara” = “Cup” (significant in medical contexts)
- “Gripe” = “Flu” (with conceptual differences)
3.3. Technical Translation
If you need to ensure precision, then translators must correctly apply:
- Technical standards
- Specialised terminology
- Units of measurement
3.4. Software and Video Game Localisation
Effective localisation involves:
- Adapting user interfaces
- Translating cultural elements
- Adjusting for screen space constraints
Recommended Tools
4.1. Linguistic Resources
To ensure accuracy, translators can use:
- Specialised bilingual dictionaries from Portuguese to Spanish
- Comparable linguistic corpora
- Databases of specific and advanced concepts
4.2. Translation Technology
Efficient translations often use translation memories learning lessons, specialised vocabulary management systems and quality control tools.
Common Mistakes to Avoid in Portuguese to Spanish Translations
- Assuming Similarities is a bad idea, never assume all words translate directly.
- Ignoring Regional Variations could create confusion, then always consider the target audience’s dialect.
- Using Literal Translations may cause no sense, thus prioritise natural, fluent Spanish over word-for-word translations is the best practise.
- If you need to translate for a specific region with different cultural context, then overlooking cultural aspects can jeopardise the result. For such reason a translator must carefully adapt cultural references when necessary.
Conclusion
In professional Portuguese to Spanish translation projects, adopting a meticulous approach is essential. While the two languages may share similarities, achieving a high-quality translation requires more than surface-level understanding. Therefore, a skilled translator should:
- Have a deep understanding of both languages: This knowledge allows them to capture the nuances and subtleties of the original text.
- Be aware of cultural differences: Cultural sensitivity ensures that the message resonates appropriately with the target audience.
- Specialise in the relevant field: Expertise in the subject matter enhances accuracy, particularly in technical or industry-specific texts.
- Use appropriate tools: Translation software and linguistic resources can significantly improve both efficiency and quality.
- Follow a rigorous review process: Careful proofreading and quality checks help eliminate errors and refine the final text.
Ultimately, by consistently applying these principles, translators can deliver a precise, natural, and effective translation. Consequently, this ensures that the final product serves its intended purpose and successfully communicates the original message.
