Should I use the source acronym or convert it to align with the target? Thread poster: Comunican
| Comunican United Kingdom Local time: 21:19 Spanish to English + ...
Something I've never been sure about is whether I should use the source acronym in translated text (let's say "SEE", which stands for "Sistema Educativo Español") OR should I change it to match my translation of the term (in this case Spanish Education System, which would make the acronym "SES"). Obviously, consistency is the most important thing, but I'm curious to know if others have a view on this please... I suspect there is no hard and fast rule... See more Something I've never been sure about is whether I should use the source acronym in translated text (let's say "SEE", which stands for "Sistema Educativo Español") OR should I change it to match my translation of the term (in this case Spanish Education System, which would make the acronym "SES"). Obviously, consistency is the most important thing, but I'm curious to know if others have a view on this please... I suspect there is no hard and fast rule Many thanks. ▲ Collapse | | | neilmac Spain Local time: 22:19 Spanish to English + ... Ask the client | Feb 19, 2019 |
In these cases, I usually ask the client/author whenever possible, and as most of my clients are direct, I can usually do this and elicit a response. In fact, this morning I had to ask one client about these in a French translation: " - Le montant total TTC (dont contributions éventuelles). / La TGAP doit être identifiée par son code 3001000002305 (EAN-13) ..." The client instructed me to leave them as they are, as they are specific to French billing/tax systems. ... See more In these cases, I usually ask the client/author whenever possible, and as most of my clients are direct, I can usually do this and elicit a response. In fact, this morning I had to ask one client about these in a French translation: " - Le montant total TTC (dont contributions éventuelles). / La TGAP doit être identifiée par son code 3001000002305 (EAN-13) ..." The client instructed me to leave them as they are, as they are specific to French billing/tax systems. Otherwise, a general rule of thumb is that once you define an acronym or abbreviation (e.g. SEE = Spanish Educational System) then you can use it freely in the rest of the text.
[Edited at 2019-02-19 14:30 GMT] ▲ Collapse | | | AUSIT Best Practices | Feb 19, 2019 |
The Australian Institute of Interpreters and Translators (AUSIT) made this handy Best Practices Guide which covers most scenarios: https://ausit.org/AUSIT/Documents/Best_Practices_2014.pdf For abbreviations (and acronyms, in the same manner) 15. Abbreviations Abbreviations should be deciphered and translated in full. If this is not pos... See more The Australian Institute of Interpreters and Translators (AUSIT) made this handy Best Practices Guide which covers most scenarios: https://ausit.org/AUSIT/Documents/Best_Practices_2014.pdf For abbreviations (and acronyms, in the same manner) 15. Abbreviations Abbreviations should be deciphered and translated in full. If this is not possible, a note should be inserted to this effect. Very common and known abbreviations may be translated using equally known abbreviations in the target language (for example “e. g.”, “et al.” etc.). This may also be relevant: 10. Names of official bodies and courts In cases where it is important for official purposes that the name of an official body, court or educational institution be left in the original language or transliterated, a translation of the name should be inserted in square brackets after the name or as a footnote. Alternately, a translation of the term may be followed by the original language version or a transliteration either in square brackets or in the form of a footnote.
[Edited at 2019-02-19 16:33 GMT] ▲ Collapse | | | Tina Vonhof (X) Canada Local time: 15:19 Dutch to English + ...
I don't know if there is any official guideline but what I learned in various courses is you keep the acronym as is, you only need to explain it once. The first time the term occurs: - the Sistema Educativo Español (SEE) (Spanish Education System) From then on: - the Spanish Education System (SEE) If it occurs very frequently: - the SEE | |
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Comunican United Kingdom Local time: 21:19 Spanish to English + ... TOPIC STARTER
neilmac wrote: In these cases, I usually ask the client/author whenever possible... Otherwise, a general rule of thumb is that once you define an acronym or abbreviation (e.g. SEE = Spanish Educational System) then you can use it freely in the rest of the text.
[Edited at 2019-02-19 14:30 GMT] Thanks Neilmac. | | | Comunican United Kingdom Local time: 21:19 Spanish to English + ... TOPIC STARTER
Many thanks for that Dylan. | | | Comunican United Kingdom Local time: 21:19 Spanish to English + ... TOPIC STARTER This is what I tend to do | Feb 25, 2019 |
Thanks Tina, this is what I tend to do for "company-specific" acronyms because I think it makes it easier to compare when the acronym is used again subsequently. At the end of the day, if the name of an organisation or a term is so long that it has been reduced to an acronym, it really doesn't matter what that acronym is so long as it is used consistently... However, if there is a directly equivalent and recognisable acronym in English, of course I use that eg ONU > UN.
[Edi... See more Thanks Tina, this is what I tend to do for "company-specific" acronyms because I think it makes it easier to compare when the acronym is used again subsequently. At the end of the day, if the name of an organisation or a term is so long that it has been reduced to an acronym, it really doesn't matter what that acronym is so long as it is used consistently... However, if there is a directly equivalent and recognisable acronym in English, of course I use that eg ONU > UN.
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