Käännöspraktisten

Käännöspraktisten, literally meaning translation practices, is a term used in Finnish-language translation studies to refer to the actual activities, methods, and routines through which translation work is carried out. It focuses on how translators produce target texts in real-world settings, distinguishing practical work from abstract theory.

Scope and components include the cognitive processes of meaning reconstruction and problem solving, word choice and stylistic decisions, cultural adaptation, and the use of tools such as computer-assisted translation (CAT) systems, terminology glossaries, and translation memories. It also covers workflow arrangements, collaboration with editors, clients, and subject-matter experts, and quality assurance practices. Professional norms, codes of conduct, and genre- or language-specific conventions are embedded within these practices, shaping how translations are produced.

Research and applications: scholars study käännöspraktisten through qualitative methods like interviews, think-aloud protocols, and ethnographic observations, as well as corpus-based analyses of translation data. The aim is to understand how context, technology, and professional norms influence translations and to inform translator training, workflow design, and policy development. This practice-centered focus complements broader translation theory by prioritizing real-world activity over abstract principles.

Notes: The term is most commonly encountered in Nordic-language scholarship and Finnish-language discussions. In English-language literature, the equivalent concept is usually described as “translation practices” or “practices of translation.”