What is the difference bytween translation 'word for word ' and 'word by word'?

Answer 1

.To translate something "word for word" means that the text that is being translated is done with all the phraseology and grammar being translated through.
This means that a translation of Russian to English for;

"The dog sat down" would be "грамматический определенный член собака сидеть пух"

The sense of the words remain and is understandable to both English and Russian readers.
However, the translation "word by word" means that each individual word is translated with the meaning sometimes being lost, like this;

"The dog sat down" to "дров преследовать сидеть внизу"
Even though the words are a direct translation, the words in that order make no sense in Russian.

If you are offered the choice of those translations - take the 'word FOR word' one. That way it will make sense!



:~}

Answer 2

I'm not totally sure... but here's what I THINK.

Word for word would be translated to mean exactly the same thing in two languages. Word BY word would be translated one word at a time, so might not read as smoothly (or in some cases, even make sense!) once translated.

My example:

Spanish "el pero amarillo"
Word for word "the yellow dog"
Word BY word "the dog yellow"

See the difference? Word by word is a literal translation, but it's harder to understand because they use their adjectives AFTER their nouns, where we usually use them before.

Like I said... don't know if it's RIGHT or not... but it makes sense to me! :)

Answer 3

Interesting, I'll have to keep an eye on this. I would guess, word for word conveys the meaning but isn't necessarily technically accurate, where as word by word might be much more literal but might miss the intonation?

Answer 4

"word for word" = 1. in exactly the same words; verbatim.
2. one word at a time, without regard for the sense of the whole: She translated the book word for word.

i would imagine that "word by word" is one word at a time

Answer 5

no difference

Answer 6

Hell!