Have you ever read Spanish to English translations that sound strange or are hard to understand? That happens when the translation isn’t done carefully. A good professional translation doesn’t just change words from one language to another; it also makes sure the message is clear, natural, and appropriate for the reader.
Here, we’ll explain what makes a good Spanish to English translation and how to achieve it.
What make Spanish to English translations good?
- They are faithful to the original
- They should convey exactly what the Spanish text says, without adding or leaving out important information.
- If the text is about a technical topic (like medicine or law), the correct words in English must be used.
- They sound natural in English
- It’s not about translating word-for-word because sometimes that doesn’t make sense. For example: In Spanish, we say “Estoy caliente” (if it’s really hot), but in English, we don’t say “I am hot” (since it could be misunderstood), instead, we say “I feel hot” or “It’s hot in here.”
- Expressions and idioms need to be adapted to sound right in English.
- They are well-written
- They should have no spelling or grammar mistakes.
- The style should be appropriate: formal for serious documents (like contracts) or more casual for social media.
- They respect the culture
- Some things that are common in Spanish-speaking countries may not be in English-speaking countries, and vice versa. For example: In Mexico, “chamba” means “work,” but in English, we say “job” or “work.” If the text talks about a local tradition, sometimes a brief explanation is needed.
How to make good Spanish to English translations?
Step 1: Read and understand the original text
- Before translating, make sure you understand what the text says.
Step 2: Look for difficult or specialised words
- If the text talks about medicine, technology, or law, then research the correct terms in English.
Step 3: Translate clearly
- Write in English in a way that sounds natural, that is, as if it was originally written in that language.
Step 4: Review and correct
- Read the translation to check for mistakes or phrases that don’t sound right.
- Compare it with the original to make sure nothing is missing.
Step 5: Add the finishing touch
- If possible, have someone else review the translation (especially if they are a native English speaker).
- Finally, make sure the format (whether it’s a document, brochure, or website) looks good.
What tools help make better translations into English?
Online dictionaries: WordReference, Linguee, Cambridge Dictionary.
Grammar checkers: Grammarly, LanguageTool.
Automatic translators (only as a help): DeepL, Google Translate (but don’t rely 100% on them).
Conclusion
A good translation is not just about changing words; it’s about making the text perfectly understandable in another language. To achieve this, you need to research, write carefully, and review multiple times.
Whether you’re translating a school assignment, a contract, or a social media post, a professional translator should follow these steps to do a better job. The key is patience and attention to detail!
