Translasyon

Translasyon is a term used in Filipino to refer to translation and, in a scientific context, the process of translating genetic information into proteins. Etymologically derived from Latin translatio, the term is employed in both linguistics and molecular biology to describe the conversion of information from one form to another, preserving meaning or function.

In linguistics and translation studies, translasyon describes converting a text or utterance from a source language into a target language. The goal is to convey meaning, tone, style, and intent while respecting cultural context and audience expectations. Translators consider linguistic equivalence (semantic, pragmatic, and formal), register, and idiomatic expressions. Methods range from human translation to computer-assisted and machine translation, each with varying accuracy, transparency, and potential biases. Quality assessment often involves accuracy, fluency, and adequacy measures.

In biology, translasyon refers to protein synthesis, the process by which ribosomes decode messenger RNA to assemble amino acids into polypeptide chains. The process requires mRNA, transfer RNA (tRNA), ribosomal RNA (rRNA), and various factors. Initiation begins when the ribosome binds to the mRNA and a start codon (AUG) is recognized. During elongation, tRNA anticodons pair with codons, and ribosomes catalyze peptide bond formation between amino acids. Termination occurs at stop codons (UAA, UAG, UGA), releasing the completed polypeptide. The emergent protein may undergo folding and post-translational modifications to become functional.

Translasyon, in its linguistic and biological senses, is essential for communication and life, linking information to action. Its study intersects linguistics, translation studies, molecular biology, and bioinformatics, illustrating how meaning is transformed across forms.