Oliver Lawrence

Translating a written text is all about conveying the message of the original in another language. The message may comprise factual information, persuasion to buy, a story as a work of art, etc. While it is important to reflect the author’s style and the conventions of the target genre, it is also vital to actually get the message across effectively, often arguably more so than to preserve notions of ‘authenticity’. Our clients will not necessarily thank us if we provide a ‘warts and all’ translation of their business contract, marketing copy or public-information notice.

To convey our client’s message effectively, we need to avoid creating obstacles to the reader’s comprehension. We can achieve this by focusing on clarity.

Clarity means many things. Basic good writing, with a natural, flowing style eschewing cliché, to avoid tripping up or distracting the reader. Plain language, to convey the meaning with precision but without obfuscation. Awareness and avoidance of linguistic constructions that can be inherently ambiguous. Considering the needs of international and non-native readers.

The presentation will cover some or all of the following issues …

Basic good writing:

• flow, minimising distractions
• keeping jargon and cliché under control
• knowing your readers (are they intellectual old sticklers or groovy young things?)

Plain language:

• prioritising the purpose of a text, facilitating readers
• what plain language is, what it isn’t
• the benefits of plain language
• plain-language principles
  • plain words
  • plain structure
  • vertical lists
• plain language in translation vs plain language in writing original texts

Avoiding ambiguity:

• ambiguity inherent in the text vs. ambiguity introduced by the translator
• ambiguous constructions and avoiding them
  • humorous asides
• to facilitate downstream translation

International readers and non-native readers – making it clear for them:

• minimise use of locale-specific idiom (that they may not know)
• keep grammar straightforward, include verbal signposts, minimise elliptical constructions (keep relative pronouns and adverbs, etc.)

Approaches, tools and resources to enhance clarity

• Xbench
• Stylewriter?
• books
• plain-language consultants (training/CPD)