Übersetzen

Übersetzen is a German verb meaning to translate from one language into another. It refers to the act of rendering written or spoken text in a target language. The corresponding noun is die Übersetzung, which denotes the translation itself or the act of translating.

Translating involves understanding the source text, its syntax, semantics, and cultural context, and producing an equivalent utterance in the target language. Translators choose strategies to balance fidelity to the original with naturalness in the target language. Key tensions include literal versus idiomatic rendering, and handling culture-specific items, puns, and stylistic features.

Translation theory distinguishes between formal or literal translation and dynamic or sense-for-sense translation. In German-language discussions, terms such as Äquivalenz denote the idea of equivalence between source and target texts. Practices like domestication aim to make the text feel native, while foreignization preserves aspects of the source culture.

Translations can be written, spoken (interpretation, Dolmetschen), or adapted for specific contexts as localization. Modern translation often employs computer-assisted translation tools and, increasingly, machine translation, with human post-editing for quality control.

Historically, translation studies have explored how meaning is transferred across languages, with influential debates from Schleiermacher to later theories such as dynamic equivalence by Nida. In German-speaking contexts, language norms influence terminology and style in translation.

Professional translation emphasizes accuracy, confidentiality, and ethical considerations. Translations play a central role in literature, science, law, diplomacy, and software localization, enabling effective cross-lingual communication in a global context.