tumacz

Tumacz is the Polish term commonly used for a translator, a person who converts written text from one language into another. The standard spelling in Polish is tłumacz; tumacz is considered a nonstandard variant or misplaced spelling, though it may appear in names, branding, or informal writing. The feminine form is tłumaczka, the verb tłumaczyć, and the noun tłumaczenie describes the process or result of translation.

Translators work across many domains, including literature, media, law, science, technology, and business. They may work as freelancers or as employees of agencies, publishers, corporations, or government bodies. Traditionally, translators focus on accuracy, style, and cultural nuance, while also managing terminology and contextual meaning. They may translate from a source language into a target language and may specialize in specific language pairs.

Machine translation refers to software that automatically translates text. Modern systems are built on neural models and are often integrated with post-editing by human translators to ensure quality. Translation professionals may use computer-assisted translation tools (CAT tools), terminology databases, and style guides to improve consistency and speed.

In Poland, a sworn translator (tłumacz przysięgły) is a translator authorized by the Ministry of Justice to certify translations of official documents for legal purposes. Such translations have legal validity in courts and public offices, and certification requires specific qualifications and passing examinations.

See also: translation studies, machine translation, CAT tools.