While handling the projects need to be localized, we need adopt the different ways to deal with the different projects, e.g., for the mechanism project, we need to ensure the translation should be true to the source, so we usually adopt the literal translation. However, for the dialog project, it isn’t appropriate to use the same way, and try to avoid literal translation as possible as you can, but cannot get from the source.

Here I just would like to discuss the essentiality of avoiding literal translation in the dialog project. Recently, just proofread one project related to one subject dialog and found some literal translation in the edited output, and thought it’s necessary to make improvement in some sentences or words, so listed here for us in the future project.

Example 1: What are diversity and inclusion, and what do they have to do with business success?

[Edited output]: 多样性和包容性究竟是什么？它们与我们的商业成功又有何关系？

[Proofread output]: 何为多元化与包容性？它们与我们的商业成功又有何关系呢？

For the translation of the first part in the source, would be better not to just provide the literal translation, and need to adopt the conversion skill to handle it, thus, the first part translation seem to comply with Chinese more. And for the translation of ‘diversity and inclusion’, in my opinion, it would be better to translate as ‘多元化与包容性’ by searing it over Internet.

Example 2: The research shows that companies that have both diverse workforces and inclusive cultures have achieved better market results; innovations; talent attraction, engagement and retention and employee brand value…

[Edited output]: 研究显示，同时拥有多样化工作场所和包容性文化的公司可以获得更好的市场成果；创新；人才的吸引力、参与度和保留度以及员工品牌价值……

[Proofread output]: 研究表明，同时具备多样化工作场所及包容性文化的公司可获得更佳的市场成果、创新、集聚人才、参与度与人员保留以及员工品牌价值……

To translate ‘talent attraction’ and ‘retention’ as ‘人才的吸引力’ and ‘保留度’ respectively here, it seems odd. So in order to make it readable, in the proofreading phrase, I changed them into ‘集聚人才’ and ‘人员保留’ respectively. And made change to the punctuation, namely, changed the semicolon to the caesurasign, so made the translation to comply with Chinese customs.

From the above simple examples, as we can see, we need to adopt the flexible way to handle the translation, so make the translation readable and comply with Chinese customs.

Read Also: What is Literal Translation, and never do that