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Translaatio, or translation, is the process of rendering content from one language into another while preserving meaning, style, and intent. A good translation communicates both facts and tone. Translation differs from interpretation, which deals with spoken language in real time. The term derives from Latin translatio, meaning carrying across.

Historically, translations have shaped knowledge exchange. Ancient texts, including religious scriptures, helped standardize languages and concepts. The field expanded with dictionaries, grammars, and translation theory in the 19th and 20th centuries. In the digital era, machine translation and localization enable rapid, large-scale rendering of texts.

Types of translation include literary (fiction and poetry), technical and scientific, legal, and localization for software and media. Subfields such as subtitling and dubbing address audiovisual content. Translation studies explore theories of equivalence—formal versus dynamic—and approaches like Skopos theory, which emphasizes purpose over exact wording.

Process typically includes source analysis, transfer of meaning into the target language, re-expression in natural form, and revision. Translators use glossaries, style guides, and translation memories, and may work with computer-assisted tools. Post-editing of machine output is common in large projects.

Challenges include linguistic and cultural differences, idioms, humor, and polysemy; risks of misinterpretation or loss of nuance; and ethical considerations regarding fidelity and representation. Quality depends on subject matter, expertise, and audience expectations.

Current trends emphasize neural machine translation, post-editing, and localization pipelines. Crowdsourced and collaborative translation projects expand access to multilingual content, reinforcing translation as a key tool in diplomacy, commerce, science, and culture.