What are some of the challenges that occur when translating one language into another?

Question

How would you alter your speech if you were speaking with someone who only had an elementary knowledge of your language? How have you (or will you) overcome any language barriers in your final project interview?

Answer 1

Well this should not be an isuue during the interview, as interviewer knows that this is not ur Mother language. He will just focus what u have for final project, it doesnot matter HOW u r saying. cheers;;;

Answer 2

You'll have to be keenly aware of your OWN language, and differentiate idioms from structured sentences. You must use simpler and more direct expressions rather than complex ones.

For example, commonly used phrases such as "busy as a bee" and "jump in a lake", "hit it on the head" won't translate very well. Translated literally, it will completely lose the original intentions and meanings. You have to be very direct in your choice of words.

Also, you have to be aware of cultural differences. For example, phrases like "let me think about this and I'll get back to you" mean compeltely different things. In US, it means exactly as it says. In Japan, it means NO. It is understood that no one will pursue this further. Obviously, without cultural understanding, you won't be able to translate this accurately.

I do not know what you mean by "final project interview."

Answer 3

At times the general meaning of the word or statement is lost. This happens because meanings and experiences are different in some countries and can not be translated properly if you do not have the understanding of the country or region.