How did we learn to translate other language into our own?

Answer 1

I don't think we have.

Answer 2

Translating is so much more difficult than people who have no direct experience give credit for.

A good translator needs to consider an infinite number of 'problems' that may be caused by a literal translation, such as cultural references, phrases or concepts which don't exist in the language being translated into and collocations (words that commonly go together. For example the adjectives spotless, unblemished, immaculate, impeccable and flawless are all synonyms but try using them with different nouns such as, performance, record, taste, complexion and kitchen, you will realise that not all work.) The understanding of such subtle differences is hard to learn for a non-native (and for some natives) but errors such as these generally stand out like a sore thumb, making the text sound awkward. This is why even those who can class themselves as bilingual rarely translate into either language but choose just the one which is stronger. Also apart from the technical problems, translators need to be sensitive to the original language, not changing the meaning while making it appropriate to readers in the new language.

As a native English speaker living in Italy for a number of years I have had some experience, and can say it's more hassle than it's worth. Personally I now avoid all translating work as much as I can. Every day I see texts on the Internet, user manuals etc. with horrific translations, which is infuriating. I admire people who can do it well and inevitably, those who can have been professionally trained.


Finally, have no idea why you've had a couple of replies in Italian but the person who wrote 'boh' maybe doesn't know the word isn't international. Anyway it's a lovely little word which in three letters means something to the effect of 'I haven't got a blooming clue'

Answer 3

It is almost impossible to directly translate word for word even two closely related languages such as English and French. Even though they share a lot of words, the meanings within a sentence can be completely different and that is before we even start on slang, regional accents or colloquialisms. Great question, it is a bit of a brain teaser. Have a star.*

Answer 4

The thing is that we all have an innate knowledge built within us to formulate a logical grammar system. Our neurones are constructed in such a way that every culture comes to a similar conclusion when inventing language. This means that for the most part you can just compare the words and noises and the rest will come naturally. So yeah, pointing and grunting.

Answer 5

I wouldn't recommend teaching yourself, but you could try Rosetta Stone, if you have the money. I had a Spanish teacher who had been teaching for several years and had lived in Spain for some time as well as having majored in it in college, and she didn't have to translate to English in her head. It takes a lot of time and practice to master a language to near-native fluency.

Answer 6

pointing at things, I guess. I read somewhere that the early settlers in Australia watched a large creature bounce by and asked the aborigines: "What's that". The aborigine replied "Kanga Roo", which the settlers adopted as its name. Apparently, the aboriginal reply actually translater as "I don't know!", because the aborigines had never bothered to give 'roos a name!

Answer 7

I think it started since the time people began to get married to people from different cultures..not sure

Answer 8

By pointing at things and saying me want that.

Answer 9

Non lo so, me lo sono sempre chiesto anch'io .

Answer 10

Trial and error.

Answer 11

by being bilingual