The native speaker principle and the “I translate therefore I think” principle
What is the nativaComm translation philosophy?
Mandy: No one knows a language as well as its native speakers. That’s why, as a British native speaker who’s lived in Germany for more than 15 years, I specialise in translating from German to English. I work with language and that requires a combination of professionalism, creativity and a good sense of the cultural context in which “my” two languages – German and English – operate. There’s not always an equivalent word in the other language; it’s not always possible for readers from one culture to understand a concept used in the other culture without any explanation. A good translator should be able to find appropriate words or give a brief explanation of a concept. That’s a major challenge and one of which I’m constantly aware as a professional translator. I translate therefore I think!
What do you mean by that?
Mandy: Before I start translating, I think about the target readership and the type of text. A financial press release is different in style to a brochure intended to get a reader to buy a product. Fashion is more creative, health and safety is more technical in nature and there can be liability issues if the translation is wrong. Translating also means assuming responsibility for a text. Often, the translator will notice something that sounds illogical or inaccurate, which the author might not have seen. I point these things out to clients so they can make any changes necessary. If I can’t understand the original text, the translation won’t be understandable either.
What are nativaComm’s specialist areas?
Mandy: Taking a responsible, professional approach to translation means I have to know the subject and the vocabulary it uses. If the terminology in the translation is wrong, that reflects badly on the translator. That’s why I specialise in certain areas, which are PR, marketing and press copy, software development, health and safety, energy, development cooperation, lighting, metalworking and music. The latter has played a significant role in my life ever since my school days. I’m a Grade 8 clarinettist, having passed all of the UK exams, and I’ve been taking singing lessons for many years.
What other subjects has nativaComm translated or interpreted?
Mandy: Sports science, garment industry, fashion, plastic film, tyres, vocational training, higher education accreditation and much more.
How much does a translation cost?
Mandy: The price of a translation is based on the number of standard lines, which have a certain amount of words. If you’d like to know more, feel free to contact me. I’ll be happy to write you a quote for your specific translation.