14. Write on the literary translations subdivision

Literary Translation is described as A Practical Guide, with Clifford E. Landers offering everything from an introduction of the 'so-you-want-to-be-a-literary-translator' sort to addressing a variety of language issues that translators are likely to encounter to submission, contract, and tax advice. It makes for a very mixed bag, and while there are certainly points of likely interest and use to professional translators, ironically the book might actually be most useful for readers of translations, helping make them aware of many of the problems that arise when translating any text.         Landers adopts a very light, occasionally almost glib tone. He has strong opinions about certain aspects of translating, i.e. that regarding certain things there is only one right way to go about it, and while he is often correct (at least to our minds) he does not adequately note that not everyone agrees -- so, for example, that a translator read the source text in its entirety before beginning a translation (this would seem like a no-brainer, but is, in fact, not practised universally -- quite a few translators are on record as preferring to tackle a text as it comes, at least for the first go-round).         Because this is also, in part, a vocational guide, Landers devotes considerable space to the professional aspect of literary translating, noting how poorly paid it is and that: "if you're in literary translation for the money, you picked the wrong field" -- an irritating oversimplification that ignores the fact that some people simply feel that, given their talents, background, and the possible alternatives, translation is, in fact, the best way for them to earn money (much as it's ridiculous to tell people who are, say, waiting tables that, if they're in it for the money they've picked the wrong field ...). Landers also feels obliged to expound on the economics, making a hash of that as well:

No exception to the law of supply and demand, literary translation is under-paid because so many are willing to do it for sheer pleasure.

       Or there's the suggestion that:

If you're fortunate enough to be a native speaker of English who also knows Bulgarian, say, or Bengali, it's safe to assume you don't have too many competitors in the literary translation field.

15. Write on the informative translations and their subdivision 

Informative translation is rendering into the target language non-literary texts, themain purpose of which is to convey a certain amount of ideas, to inform the reader.However, if the source text is of some length, its translation can be listed as literaryor informative only as an approximation. A literary text may, in fact, include some parts of purely informative character. Contrariwise, informative translation may comprise some elementsaimed at achieving an aesthetic effect. Within each group further gradations can bemade to bring out more specific problems in literary or informative translation.Literary works are known to fall into a number of genres. 16. Write on the technical translation 

Technical translation is a type of specialized translation involving the translation of documents produced by technical writers (owner's manuals, user guides, etc.), or more specifically, texts which relate to technological subject areas or texts which deal with the practical application of scientific and technological information. While the presence of specialized terminology is a feature of technical texts, specialized terminology alone is not sufficient for classifying a text as "technical" since numerous disciplines and subjects which are not "technical" possess what can be regarded as specialized terminology.^[1] Technical translation covers the translation of many kinds of specialized texts and requires a high level of subject knowledge and mastery of the relevant terminology ^[2] and writing conventions.

The importance of consistent terminology in technical translation, for example in patents, as well as the highly formulaic and repetitive nature of technical writing makes computer-assisted translation using translation memories and terminology databases especially appropriate. In his book Technical Translation Jody Byrne argues that technical translation is closely related to technical communication and that it can benefit from research in this and other areas such as usability and cognitive psychology.^[3]

In addition to making texts with technical jargon accessible for a wider ranging audience, technical translation also involves linguistic features of translating technological texts from one language to another.^[4]

Translation as a whole is a balance of art and science influenced by both theory and practice.^[5] Having knowledge of both the linguistic features as well as the aesthetic features of translation applies directly to the field of technical translation.

17. Write on the translation of newspaper, diplomatic and other official materials

We have seen that professional diplomatic translation is not very well known or recognised. Diplomatic translators are not, as is popularly believed, privileged in the sense of making large sums of money, doing nothing but attending receptions. No, that is a stereotyped image from certain 19^th Century-style movies. Diplomatic translators must have a vast wealth of knowledge and be very familiar with international affairs and in particular with the political, social and economic situation of their own countries (i.e. the host country and the country of the Embassy for which they work). It is only in this way that a certain degree of professionalism and thoroughness can be achieved. The work is varied (something that is always welcome, if we take into account the monotony of software translations, for example), and involves a high degree of difficulty and responsibility in many cases.     On the other hand, the job is not always recognised, especially considering the level of thoroughness demanded for the diverse tasks, and the subsequent responsibility. Like in many fields of translation in so many other different instances, the existing legal vacuum and the lack of adequate professional associations to look after the interests of this group of professionals do not help this situation.     Nevertheless, working as a diplomatic translator provides a unique opportunity to learn about many different issues that cannot be grasped anywhere else and which, to the best of our knowledge, are not taught in any translation school anywhere in the world.  18. Write on the main difference between translation and interpretation

The word “translator” is sometimes freely used instead of the word “interpreter”, especially in the United States. It is a common misconception and needs to be clarified.

Professional translators work with written texts, and interpreters work with oral speech. You need to have very different sets of skills to be a professional interpreter or a professional translator, and tasks are also quite different. If you are an interpreter it does not imply you are less accurate or do not follow the original message

Let us summarize what the major difference is:

• Translators work at their own pace. A freelance translator can wake up in the morning and work in his own home office all day. Yes, there are urgent projects that require overtime work and everything not always goes smoothly, but life is usually even paced.

• Interpreters are where the action is, be it a conference room, an onsite visit or a military base. They are always on the move, everything is always changing and is never the same: you may have an urgent phone call and be in the airport in a few hours.

• Translators concentrate on details. Commas, word choices, page formatting, file conversions. It requires attention to minute details and not everyone is able to maintain such a level of concentration all day for many days.

• Translators work with texts, documents, and computers. It is not that they do not have good communication skills, they definitely do, however, it is usually you and the text.

• Translators can consult all the dictionaries, online and offline sources, glossaries and encyclopedias they want. Interpreters carry their reference sources in their brains.

• Interpreters are all about communication skills: how to convey the message in a different language, how to make sure all nuances of cross cultural communication are preserved, how to interact with clients, employers, colleagues, audio technicians. How to be tactful and diplomatic? How to help people communicate through you without introducing anything of your own? Interpreters swim in this like fish in ocean and do it quite swimmingly too!

• Translators and interpreters process quite different volumes of information during a regular workday. A standard output for a translator is 250 words per hour or 2,000 words per day. An interpreter, however, especially simultaneous interpreter, is a totally different animal. Imagine that an average speaker speaks at 120 words per minute (and many speak much faster). One interpreter may interpret 3-4 hours of pure interpretation time during a given day at a conference: it is 120 x 60 x 4 or almost 29,000 words per interpreter per day.

Les Misérables by   Victor Hugo (1,488 pages in the paperback English edition, 530,982 words) would be translated by one interpreter in just 18 days. So far, no one has actually attempted the feat! But simultaneous interpreters work in this mode for days and days.