Übersetzung

Übersetzung is the process and product of rendering written text from one language into another, with the aim of conveying meaning, style, and function in the target language. The term denotes both the activity and the translated text. The verb übersetzen means to translate, while dolmetschen refers to interpretation of spoken language. The etymology traces to über “across” and setzen “to place,” reflecting the idea of moving content across languages and cultures.

Common genres include literary translation, technical or scientific translation, legal or sworn translations for official use, and localization of software, websites, or multimedia. Advances in machine translation and post-editing have expanded the practical toolkit available to translators and clients, especially for large volumes or time-sensitive tasks.

The translation process typically includes analysis of the source text and its audience, drafting a target-language version, and multiple revisions with quality assurance. Translators seek to balance fidelity to the source with readability and natural style in the target language. Approaches range from formal or faithful translation (formal equivalence) to sense-for-sense translation (dynamic equivalence). The notions of domestication and foreignization describe whether the text is adapted to the target culture or kept closer to the source culture.

Challenges include linguistic and cultural gaps, idioms, humor, and terminology, particularly in specialized fields. Translators must often negotiate register, genre conventions, and contextual meaning, sometimes consulting subject experts.

Quality in translation is judged by accuracy, completeness, coherence, and appropriate tone and style. Standards such as ISO 17100 specify requirements for translation service providers, reflecting the professionalization and ongoing evolution of the field.