Tõlkeliik

Tõlkeliik is an Estonian term that translates to "translation language" or "language of translation." It refers to a linguistic style or a set of features that emerge when a text is translated from one language into another. This phenomenon is not about a specific language but rather about the observable characteristics of translated discourse in general.

Tõlkeliik can manifest in various ways, including the overuse or underuse of certain grammatical structures, lexical choices that are not entirely idiomatic in the target language, or sentence structures that mirror the source language too closely. These features often arise unconsciously from the translator's attempt to convey the meaning and style of the original text as faithfully as possible.

The concept of tõlkeliik is important in translation studies as it helps researchers and practitioners understand the unique nature of translated texts. It acknowledges that translated language is not identical to purely original language produced within the target culture. Identifying and analyzing tõlkeliik can reveal translator habits, language transfer processes, and potential areas for improving translation quality.

While some aspects of tõlkeliik might be seen as deviations from standard target language norms, it is not necessarily a negative phenomenon. It can also reflect the richness and diversity that translation brings to a language by introducing new expressions or ways of structuring sentences. Understanding tõlkeliik is crucial for both translators, who aim to minimize unnatural transfer, and readers, who encounter these texts.