otsetõlke

Otsetõlge, also known as literal translation, is a method of translation where the source text is translated word for word, or phrase for phrase, without regard to the target language's idioms, syntax, or cultural references. This approach aims to maintain the original meaning as closely as possible, often resulting in a translation that is faithful to the source text but may sound awkward or unnatural to native speakers of the target language.

The primary goal of otsetõlke is to convey the exact meaning of the source text, making it useful in contexts where precision and accuracy are crucial, such as legal documents, technical manuals, and scientific papers. However, it is less commonly used in literature, advertising, and other forms of creative writing due to its potential to produce stilted or unidiomatic translations.

Otsetõlke can be contrasted with idiomatic translation, where the translator aims to produce a translation that sounds natural and fluent in the target language, even if it means altering the original meaning slightly. The choice between otsetõlke and idiomatic translation depends on the specific needs and constraints of the translation project.

In Estonian, the term otsetõlge is often used to distinguish this method from other translation approaches, such as free translation, where the translator has more freedom to adapt the text to the target language. The concept of otsetõlke is not unique to Estonian and is recognized in translation studies worldwide.