Find a professional translator

Translation of audio material

Translation of audio is a relatively new field of translation services, and demand for it is already high. It is a process of interpretation of live or recorded speech in the source language and its reproduction using written text in the target language. This linguistic activity is situated at the confluence of translation (written text-to-written text) and interpretation (speech-to-speech). Moreover, audio translation requires more than just an ability to understand and reproduce foreign language but also the ability to comprehend the language through noise and interference.

The direct translation of audio from the live speech is not a result of a full translation. Furthermore, some tasks such as the identification of significant points, preparation of analytical reports, summarizing, and listening to details of translated audio do not require the full reproduction of information within it.

Audio translation is often used for juridical purposes by official public authorities and specialized courts. They require certified translation that is based on side by side translation or transcripts.

Translation of audio includes:

• translation of audio books;
• translation of on-line tutorial programs;
• translation of seminars and lectures;
• translation of workshops;
• translation of songs and poems;
• translation of interviews;
• translation of literary works;
• translation of radio advertising;
• translation of news;
• translation of records of court hearings.

Stages of audio translation

• Getting media files. A translator evaluates the quality of audio, language, and topic;
• Deciphering the audio. As a result, transcription in the source language is prepared;
• Translation of the materials;
• Proofreading of the materials;
• Sending a performed task to the client.

Translation is available for a client in a printed format. However, sometimes audio could be synchronized with the translation.

Specifics of audio translation

Translation of audio is a combination of written translation and interpretation. Starting materials could be obtained from different sources, such as CD/DVD, VHS or audio files. This type of translation requires good audio comprehension, and the ability to interpret sounds and written text. Furthermore, the audio translator is required to write idiomatically and intelligibly in the target language and choose the best equivalents for translation.

The high-quality audio translation represents the accurate reproduction of context and meaning found in the original material. It must convey the style and cultural features without any misunderstandings or omissions. Moreover, the translation has to correspond the prescribed specifications and meet the deadline. Translation of audio materials could get more challenging by difficulties such as “unfavorable conditions”. This term includes gaps, background noise, overlapping exchanges, low volume, multiple speakers, fast or faulty delivery, interruptions. Furthermore, other factors that have influence on understanding of audio materials are:

• slang
• accent
• coded or deceptive language
• place and name reference
• cultural background
• out-of-context statements
• complex subject matter
• technical jargon

The effort to surmount these obstacles requires solid linguistic and non-linguistic skills because listening audio is the passive activity without the possibility to request clarification.

The rich intercultural background could play an essential role in audio interpreting. Furthermore, specialists should improve their linguistic knowledge and follow the latest colloquial variations. This type of lingua activity requires special equipment and software. If you need to get the audio translated in target languages you have to hire a professional translator, which helps to avoid misunderstanding and fatal errors.

We advise you to pay extra attention to the translator's language skills, interpreting skills and experience in translations. To make matters better, find out whether they previously had experience in audio translation or get samples of their work to evaluate the quality of their translations and make sure you're making the right choice by choosing this freelancer. It's also recommended to pay attention to the feedback and hire only certified specialists to make sure that the quality of the finished translation will meet the requirements.