By Sweta

The word "translation" derives from the Latin translatio, which comes from trans (across) and ferre (to carry or bring). By definition, translation aims at conveying the meaning of a given linguistic discourse from one language to another - or, put simply, keeping the sameness of meaning across languages.

But the real question is: is translation a skill or an art? Many will say it is a skill, because to translate a text or a spoken conversation you have to be at home in at least two languages. Others will call it an art, because you have to be mindful as well as innovative when you translate. The truth is that translation is a mixture of both elements.

Translation as a skill

A skill is a developed aptitude or ability to use one's knowledge effectively and readily in execution. Translation is a skill in principle because you have to be skilled to replace a written message or statement with the same message or statement in another language.

Translation as an art

Why should you also consider translation an art? Suppose a beautiful message is expressed in a language whose script you don't even recognize. What would you do? You would translate it - and that is what art is all about. Art helps spread messages of inspiration, making people achieve great things in life.

So we can say that translation is also an art: expressing words in another language without letting the real meaning get lost, while preserving semantic and stylistic equivalence.