How to translate English sentences into Russian correctly. How to translate sentences from Russian into English? Brief instruction
Every person studying a foreign language, one way or another, is faced with the need for translation. Students learn to translate read or listened texts, English books and dialogues with foreign language, as well as translate simple sentences and most importantly your thoughts with mother tongue to foreign. So what is translation and what is its significance? Let's see...
Speaking of translation, many linguists distinguish between two concepts: translation, as the process of transferring an oral or written text in one language with an equivalent text in another language, and translation, as a result of this process, that is, the written or oral text itself, conveying the same meaning or having the same content in another language. Thus, in essence, translation is a search for corresponding equivalents in another language, allowing to convey one or another meaning.
Since ancient times, translation has been the main means of information exchange and knowledge about the world. In the 21st century, the information age, it is difficult to imagine a field of activity in which one or another type of translation would not be used. AT modern world international borders in business, science and other industries are being erased, therefore, more than ever, translation becomes necessary as the basis for understanding and fruitful cooperation.
How to translate from English correctly
Translation from English into Russian, due to the use of the first as an international one, is more relevant than ever.
There are several types of translation: verbatim, automatic or machine, as well as professional.
Speaking of the latter. The first step is always to work on the text and its structure, as well as to carefully read the source material. After that, work is done on words that require special attention. Next, the so-called translation sketch is performed with the designation of dubious places in the text that need to be worked on in the future. It may seem to you that such work is beyond your power, but this is how high-quality translation should be done. Deal with it.
Verbatim and machine translations are the least effective and can be used to understand the general meaning of the translated text.
A few tips:
- use modern dictionaries and do not forget about the existence of electronic ones, for example multitran.ru, which contains vocabulary, as well as sayings, idioms and phrases that are used in professional fields;
- don't try to translate everything unknown words, try to understand the essence of the text;
- pay attention to different possible options one word (word morphs), remember also that there is a participle and a gerund;
- look at the endings of verbs: this will help you not only understand the time of what is happening, but also determine actor;
- remember about exceptions that occur in the language (swim - swam or die - dying), as well as phrasal verbs(put away, put across, put on, put down);
- don't forget that one word can be both a noun and a verb at the same time, for example, drin, answer, sleep, cook, shade, climb, cook, etc.
Online translation services
Various online services are widely used for the above types of transfers. The most famous and frequently used translation service at the moment is the online translator from English to Russian - Google translate. His hallmark is the presence of a large number of supported languages - 103, as well as the ability to automatically translate web pages and large texts. However, the main disadvantage of this service is not always the correct choice of vocabulary and incorrect construction of sentences. An excellent option for understanding the general meaning, but can not be compared with a professional translation.
How to translate from English to Russian can be used online dictionaries, which contain a large number of word meanings, transcriptions, several pronunciations, as well as examples of use in authentic texts. Deserves attention online translator Lingvo Live by ABBYY. It has less than 20 languages and is capable of translating individual words and phrases. However, the translation is presented under various headings: medicine, jurisprudence, etc., as well as with many examples from the original texts. I am also pleased with the opportunity to ask for help from translators absolutely free of charge if the translation was not found.
You can also translate from English into Russian using the translate.ru (prompt) service from Runet. A small number of languages - 7, and the ability to translate large texts. It differs by the function of choosing the subject of the translated text, for example, travel, sports, health, which narrows the choice of the necessary vocabulary.
Professional translation
Professional translation from English is distinguished by its accuracy and complete transmission of the meaning and form of the translated text. So, if, for example, the initial test is of a technical nature, then embellishing the test is unacceptable - the accuracy of the terms and the use of stamps and clichés are important.
direct current- direct current
sectional area- cross-sectional area
If the original text is a dialogue on an everyday topic, the main task translator - find the most natural option for translation.
Here you are!- Here you go!
Help yourself.- Help yourself.
If the original text is artistic text, it is important to use synonyms, change the order of words, as well as figures of speech: epithets, metaphors, hyperbole.
sharp eyes- piercing gaze
I'll move heaven and earth to reach it. I will move mountains to achieve this.
Difficulties in translation
When setting out to translate from English, each translator faces some difficulties caused by both the peculiarities of the English language and the specifics of the target language.
Lexical difficulties
Most words in English have multiple meanings. Thus, the main lexical difficulty of translation is the choice of the desired and most appropriate meaning. For example, the verb run can be used in the meaning of "run" and in the meaning of "manage": so run a marathon - run a marathon, run a restaurant - manage a restaurant. In addition, it is also translated as “work”, in terms of “function”: Is your refrigerator running? - Does your refrigerator work?
Another important point in translation is the definition of the part of speech, which represents the word. Quite a lot of English words have the same form in different parts speech, therefore, how to translate a word from English into Russian directly depends on the part of speech with which it is represented.
I read an interesting book (noun).- I am reading an interesting book.
I called to book (verb) a table.- I called to grab a table.
He's like (adverb) me. - He's just like me.
He likes (verb) me.- He likes me.
Some difficulties also arise with how to translate the well-known false friends of translators - words similar in form to existing words in the target language, but different in meaning.
baptism- baptism, not Baptism (Baptist faith)
expertise- experience, competence, knowledge, but not expertise (expert examination)
intelligent- reasonable, quick-witted, but not intelligent (cultured)
clay- clay, but not glue (glue)
When translating, you must not forget about the compatibility of words, especially the verb + noun in English: take a photo - take pictures, have a party - have a party, and adjective + noun in Russian: brown eyes - brown eyes, gray hair - gray hair.
Grammar difficulties
The grammatical structure of English and Russian languages differs significantly. An important point in the translation is the choice of the most appropriate time, or words indicating the necessary time. So, Present Perfect, depending on the context, can be translated using the present or past tense:
I have already been there.- I've been here before.
I have been in Paris since Monday. I've been in Paris since Monday.
Another interesting point is related to the use of pronouns. In English, there is a clear sentence structure - subject and predicate. Therefore, most sentences are built using the pronouns it, they, we, you. In Russian, there is a tendency to use impersonal forms of the verb, or pronouns are simply omitted.
They say he is a good man.- They say he is a good person.
It rains.- It's raining.
An important aspect is the translation of the passive voice, which is quite often used in English and has several translation options:
- With the verb to be:
This text was written on the blackboard.- The text was written on the blackboard. - With the help of reflexive verbs ending in -sya / -s:
The window was suddenly opened.- The window suddenly opened. - With the help of active voice verbs in the 3rd person plural:
The books are given on the first floor.- Books are given out on the first floor.
Conclusion
From the foregoing, it follows that translation is not an easy job, affecting many aspects of language learning, the correct choice of vocabulary, knowledge of the many meanings of words and their compatibility with other words in a sentence. Also important is the possession of all grammatical formulas and rules for the grammatical construction of sentences.
It should also be noted the importance of knowing English punctuation and spelling for written translation. Like any skill, fast and accurate translation needs constant practice and improvement. But patience and work will grind everything!
We wish you good luck!
Big and friendly family EnglishDom
Many people think they know how to translate. This is indeed like a piece of cake. What's so difficult? Just change the words English text to equivalent Russian words, and that's it. But it was not there! Because some phrases literal translation don't make sense. Translation is a very complex process, during which many factors must be taken into account - the genre and style of the original, the translator's competence, the time frame allocated to the project, and much more. There is a lot of useful advice for future translators available on the Internet and books, however, each translator has his own reliable methods and techniques, built on knowledge and own experience.
Written translation is very different from any other kind of translation. As a rule, you can take your time, think, choose the best option, use a dictionary, consult a specialist, and the like. Like any other translation, your main task is to convey meaning and euphony. original text. In addition, you need to be very careful and properly weigh all the stylistic features.
- 1) Translate the meaning, not the word itself
For example, let's take the phrase make sure and put it in the sentence - Make sure that you follow the instructions carefully. If we, not knowing the meaning of the phrase, begin to translate it literally, then we will succeed - Make sure that you follow the instructions correctly. This sentence does not make sense, because we have not thought about the meaning of the phrase make sure - to be sure, to be convinced. - 2) Use simple sentences with minimal punctuation
- 3) Don't Forget About Proper Word Order
If in English it is standard (subject, predicate, other members of the sentence), then in Russian we can change it.
Let's take an ordinary sentence with the standard word order "Subject + verb + object": The girl in a blue dress was playing the piano - Russian translation may vary:1) The girl in the blue dress was playing the piano.
2) A girl in a blue dress was playing the piano.But if we take one of these options and decide to translate it into English language, then there will be only 1 possible option:
The girl in a blue dress was playing the piano.
- 4) Also, do not neglect the written norms (spelling, punctuation, grammar, as well as the rules for capitalization and dividing the text into paragraphs)
https://languagetool.org/ru/ - an online service, as well as free software. It can also be installed as a plugin on various browsers. Helps to correct texts in 30 languages; automatically finds spelling errors. - 5) If possible, ask a specialist or native speaker to review your translation
- 6) Be prepared to spend a lot of time because good translation“takes a while” (from 1 to 2 hours per A4 page)
- 7) Do not blindly rely on Google Translate, it can play a trick on you
- 8) Try to keep the author's original style (humor, conversational or scientific style)
- 9) Connect common sense - it will come in handy when translating complex text
- 10) Use synonym dictionaries, spelling dictionaries, explanatory dictionaries
English Synonym Dictionary: www.dictionary.com
Explanatory Dictionary of the English Language: en.oxforddictionaries.com - 11) Let Translator's False Friends Dictionary will be yours table book
Often the translation of words consonant with the native language seems obvious. But don't rush!
Some examples:climax- culmination; orgasm; (menopause = climacteric, menopause)
compositor– typesetter in a printing house (composer = composer)
marmalade- thick jam, jam, marmalade, marmalade (esp from oranges or other citrus fruits); sl nonsense, exaggeration, lie (marmalade = (fruit) jelly/jellies)
- 12) Translate text with several online translation systems, combine the result
- 13) Massive texts in most cases are translated worse than short ones. Gotta smash big text into parts (in paragraphs)
- 14) The finished translation must be re-read again with a fresh mind, so you can evaluate your work and correct the mistakes made
A selection of sites for translators
The Multitran dictionary contains many terms from various industries, but be careful, as anyone can add a term there and correct the term: www.multitran.ru
A site where you can check the use of a word in various contexts: context.reverso.net/translation
Large English Dictionary (interpretation, etymology, synonyms, antonyms; encyclopedia, abbreviations and industry sections): www.thefreedictionary.com
Professional translation of words and expressions: www.lingvolive.com
Dictionary of translator's false friends: www.falsefriends.ru/ffslovar.htm
The largest site for translators worldwide. Search for specialists and customers, black list of employers, forums, glossaries, articles, advanced training and much more: www.proz.com
100 million words of modern English. Strict and non-strict search for words and phrases in different contexts, sorted by frequency: corpus.byu.edu/bnc
Conclusion
So, summing up all of the above, for a successful translation you need:
- use all possible and impossible dictionaries;
- be aware of the differences between the language you are translating from and the language you are translating into;
- do not trust 100% online translation systems;
- connect your common sense;
- always re-read your finished translation several times.
But it is worth remembering that these rules are not universal. Every translator has his little secrets. Therefore, with experience, you can add your own to this list. Remember only one thing - Practice makes perfect! Translate, translate and translate again! All the necessary skills will come with time!
Yu.N. Novikov. How to learn interpreting?
Interpreting is not entertainment, but hard work
In the 25 years since the fall of the Iron Curtain, The profession of translator has become one of the most popular. And this, in turn, means sharply increased competition in the market for both written and interpreting. At the same time, the nature of translation work has changed in many ways, its intensity has increased, and the number of areas of knowledge in which a professional translator must navigate has increased. Accordingly, the requirements for the qualification of a translator have increased in general.
To be in demand and to work successfully in the market of both written and oral translations, a translator must find his niche. From a professional point of view, the decisive factors in the evaluation of a translator are his active translation experience and real translation qualifications. Maintaining this qualification at a competitive level requires hard work every day.
Anyone who is a professional translator know very well that in the absence of the practice of interpretation for three to six months, the speed of reaction and the overall quality of translation fall sharply. This is especially noticeable in simultaneous translation. An interpreter is not a profession that is enough to master once and for all in order to then rest on our laurels. Even experienced translators try, if possible, to prepare for each translation, familiarize themselves with the texts of reports in advance, refresh their knowledge in the thematic area, and mentally prepare themselves. For novice translators, this is all the more important.
Which translation is more difficult: written or oral?
Quite a contentious issue.I firmly believe that a true professional should be able to translate both orally and in writing, both from a foreign language into their native language and from their native language into a foreign one. It is universal translators who are most in demand on the market and have the best professional chances due to a wider range of services offered.
But the reality is that the proportion of translators who do good professional level both oral and written translations, is small. It is easier to find written translation orders than oral ones. Written translation can be done remotely, living in another city and even in another country. Interpretation requires the presence of an interpreter here and now. AT major cities, such as Moscow or St. Petersburg, the volume of the interpreting market is quite large, while in small towns interpreting is rather rare.
At the same time, translation and interpretation require the translator to have different professional skills and even different character traits. Therefore, everything is very individual: it is easier for one person to go to interpreting for the whole day, while for another, it is more comfortable to sit at home at the computer during the day, translating in writing.
From oral more translator needed high level active knowledge of a foreign language. This applies not only to translation as such, but also to oral speech skills in a foreign language ( correct pronunciation, clear diction). Unlike a writer, an interpreter, as a rule, is deprived of the opportunity to use dictionaries, consult with colleagues, or google the translation on the Internet. He must make all decisions within a strict time limit, be able to adequately get out of the most difficult situations that cannot be foreseen in advance.
On the other hand, an interpreter does not need a deep reconciliation of terms, polishing of style, knowledge of the intricacies of spelling, the ability to correctly punctuate. In fact, he issues impromptu ( ad hoc) some raw material. At the same time, its main task is to provide live communication, if possible, without distortion of meaning and without serious omissions.
Preparation of an interpreter should include all the necessary steps
How to master professional interpreting skills? The preparation of a translator - both written and oral - includes a number of mandatory steps.1. General language training
It is impossible to seriously study translation out of the blue, “from scratch”. To learn translation - whether written or oral - requires not just an advanced, but professional level of foreign language proficiency:not just the ability to famously say something in a foreign language, but the competent and conscious use of all linguistic means. The future translator must know why in this or that case it is necessary to say it this way, and not in another way, be able to offer different variants translation, feel the shades of meaning and subtext.
Therefore, teaching a foreign language full depth» is a necessary foundation for subsequent translation training. An attempt to teach professional translation is unlikely to be effective if the trainees have an insufficient language base.
Professional translation is impossible without a confident, active knowledge of both foreign and native languages, without the ability to freely switch between these two languages, translate in both directions. For an interpreter, the question “Can I translate into a non-native language?” sounds ridiculous, since two-way translation is one of the most important types of interpreting.
The ideal, but in practice difficult to achieve option for a translator is professional knowledge of one or more foreign languages plus professional, or close to professional, knowledge of one or more subject areas in which he specializes.
2. Mastery theoretical foundations and basic translation skills
Since translation is a purely applied discipline, knowledge of the history and theory of translation, as a rule, does not have crucial for successful translation activities. Much of what is sometimes elevated to the rank of "theory" of translation is just a list of practical recommendations on how a translator should act in certain typical situations. But the tasks that a translator has to solve every day are so diverse that it is impossible to provide a “theory” for all occasions with all the desire.
Professional translation implies, first of all, the availability of practical translation skills in the specific niche in which the translator specializes. If a person has not written a single poem and read to him full course theory of versification, he will not automatically become a poet after that. In the same way, it is not enough to take a course in translation theory to become a qualified translator, even if you have managed to master a foreign language quite well. The theory of interpretation generally stands apart from general theory translation, focused mainly on written translation.
In any case, even necessary theoretical minimum it is best to teach in close connection with and in parallel with the teaching of practical translation. Otherwise, from listening to lectures on translation, the effect will be almost zero. In real translation practice, few professional translators think about the types of translation transformations, equivalence levels, etc. Translation techniques and skills are developed gradually as specific translation tasks are solved. In order to successfully engage in translation activities, it is necessary bring translation skills to automatism. To learn how to translate, one must translate and translate as much as possible.
At the same time (especially for a novice translator at the stage of his professional development) it is extremely important Availability feedback : criticisms from the customer or editor of the translation and more experienced colleagues of translators. As part of educational process This corrective function is performed by the teacher. If no one corrects your translation, if you do not “correct the mistakes”, then you will continue to stew in your own juice and translate according to the principle “As you translated, it’s good”.
One of the vulnerabilities in the system of university training of interpreters is that this training, as a rule, is based on the so-called "
educational translation ” (translation performed by students in the classroom as part of training sessions), the conditions of which, as a rule, are more comfortable than real translation. The pace of translated phrases is slow, No disturbing noise or other distractions. If the student did not hear the sentence, you can always ask again. Enough time to think. Tips are pouring in from all sides. No special stress. When translating by ear, you need to remember at least a phrase, but when translating from a sheet, even this is not required.At the initial stage of learning to translate, educational translation and all this “simplification” is an inevitable evil. But as students develop their translation skills, it is desirable to increase the intensity of educational translation and bring the conditions for its implementation as close as possible to “combat” ones. Moreover, modern technical means and Information Technology open up opportunities for this, which 10-20 years ago could not even be dreamed of.
3.Relationship Between Translation and Interpretation Skills
Of course, every translator right, based on personal preferences and life situations to specialize in translation or interpretation. Nevertheless, a true professional in this case must also be proficient in both types of translation.
After all, it is not uncommon for an interpreter to be asked to translate in writing the program of an event he or she is interpreting or the text of a communiqué (of course, this should not be done at the expense of interpretation). Similarly, a translator may find himself in a situation where he is asked to help with interpretation.
Proficiency in writing and speaking in a foreign language are two integral parts of professional language proficiency. And the skills of translation and interpreting are like two communicating vessels. Everything that a translator acquires and develops while performing written translations can be useful to him when interpreting on the same subject. And vice versa.
Written translation can be considered as the second step in mastering the translation profession after professional mastery of a foreign language. Acquiring good translation skills must precede mastering interpretation. Written translation not only disciplines, but also expands vocabulary, gives knowledge of basic terminology in the translated areas.
But what is even more important - with an in-depth study of written translations, the same automatism is developed that makes life easier for an interpreter; automatism, which is based on the knowledge of the main clichés and terms in two languages at once and, accordingly, the activation at the subconscious level of the very “natural translation correspondences” that Ya.I. Retsker once identified and substantiated.
4. Simultaneous translation - the pinnacle of an interpreter's career
In contrast to Soviet times, when simultaneous interpreting was required only at the CPSU congresses, which took place every 5 years, and at a few international congresses, the simultaneous interpreter profession has become a truly mass one. There are many legends around her, the main of which is the exorbitant fees of simultaneous interpreters.
Visitors to my websites about the profession of an interpreter (website, Perevod.name) often ask how and where you can learn simultaneous translation “quickly”. Usually novice translators come up with this question, and many of them live far from major cities. I doubt very much that foreign experts and delegations go there at all.
My answer is usually this:
In order to learn simultaneous translation, it is desirable not only to be fluent in a foreign language, but also to already have advanced skills in intensive consecutive translation. Simultaneous translation is, in fact, a translation extreme, which not every even a strong interpreter can handle.
You should take up the development of simultaneous translation only if you have the necessary data for this (speed of reaction, stress resistance, physical endurance) and if you are sure that in the foreseeable future you will be able to really work in this specialty. Learning simultaneous translation “for yourself”, in reserve (“maybe someday it will come in handy”) is completely pointless. It's like joining the cosmonaut corps if you are not going to fly into space in the next 10 years.
But, of course, you need to try yourself in simultaneous translation in order to find out how exactly this type of translation suits you. The fundamental differences between consecutive and simultaneous translation is a separate big topic. Not everyone who interprets consecutively takes on simultaneous interpreting. And not all interpreters who can interpret simultaneously are able to provide qualified consecutive interpreting.
Yuri Novikov
certified translator of German and English
Chairman of the Board of the Moscow regional office SPR
Article written April 26-27, 2014
for the thematic issue of the journal "World of Translation" (official body of the Union of Translators of Russia)
and published in MP No. 1 (31), January - June 2014.
Special issue dedicated to the SPR Summer School "Modern Interpreting",
which was held in the city of Pushkin from July 14 to 20, 2014.
When translating, it is important to select semantically, grammatically and stylistically correct words. In order to use unfamiliar words, it is advisable to resort to the help explanatory dictionaries, grammatical indexes and reference books of compatibility. Further, in order to understand how to translate sentences from Russian into English, we can consider the general algorithm for constructing a sentence. It is based on the division of the sentence into components, their correct and relatively simultaneous translation, and the reproduction of the sequence of appearance of members in the English syntax.
Step -0- Analysis
How to translate sentences from Russian into English? First we analyze Russian sentence. What type of information does it contain - an affirmation, a negation, a question, a request/order, or a conditional statement? We differentiate the members of the sentence:
1) the predicate answers the question “what is it doing?”, “what state is it in?”, “what is happening?”;
2) the subject answers the question "who?", "what?";
3) the addition answers the question “to whom?”, “what?”, “whom?”, “what?”, “for whom?”, “for what?”, “by whom?”, “by what?”, “through what?";
4) the circumstance answers the question “where?”, “when?”, “why?”, “why?”, “how?”, “to what extent?”;
5) the definition answers the question “what?”, “whose?”.
We determine the deposit. In the active voice, the subject is the actor itself; in the passive voice, it takes the action. We determine the time - present, past, future, conditional (“would”). We define the aspect - indefinite (in general), lasting (a specific process), completed (effect, experience), completed lasting (effect from a long process), it depends on the meaning that the sentence carries.
Translation into English can be carried out in the following steps.
Step -1- Circumstance in the first position
If there is an emphasis on a circumstance, it is put in the first place. If this is a circumstance of place, the predicate may come before the subject.
Step -2- Subject
The subject is set. Sentences in English require a subject in almost every situation. Therefore, if a formal subject is put - usually 'It'. In a question, the subject is preceded by the appropriate auxiliary verb.
Step -3- Predicate
Next comes the predicate. If the predicate is not expressed by a verb, a linking verb is used. Person, number and time are reflected by the first verb of the predicate. Extras depend on time and deposit. If it is necessary to express a negation, this is done either by adding the particle 'not' to the auxiliary verb, or by introducing another suitable negative word ('no', 'no one', 'nothing', 'nobody', 'neither', 'never' ) before the desired word. Verbs can have dependent words expressed by an adverb or a group of adverbs that are placed before the verb. In the passive voice, the verb is used in a and is preceded by "be" in the appropriate form. If there are multiple auxiliary verbs, "be" comes last.
Step -4- Addition
The predicate is followed by an object (if any), it can be attached directly or - if the predicate cannot take direct objects - through the appropriate preposition.
Step -5- Circumstance
If the time is not expressed by a circumstance, it comes after the addition. If there is more than one addition in a sentence, they usually alternate in the following sequence: mode of action, place, time. However, in order to emphasize, they can be interchanged.
Step -6- Definition
The definition does not have a clear position in the sentence because it refers to a noun. A noun, in turn, can be part of any member. The definition can be expressed as (My, Our, Your, His, Her, Their) or as an adjective. If one word has several consecutive adjective definitions, the following order is usually established between them: size, shape, age, color, nationality, material. Subjective adjectives expressing opinion ('bad', 'good', 'nice') go before objective and descriptive ones ('clean', 'comfortable').
Other designs
How to translate sentences from Russian into English in the imperative and In requests, instructions and orders (imperatives), the subject is omitted, and the verb is always in the base form. In conditional sentences, an assumption or probability / improbability is expressed. Depending on the situation, you can use various constructions - inversion of the subject and predicate, the subjunctive mood, the past indefinite tense, conjunctions like 'if / if' and modal verbs 'should', 'would'.
If desired, any member can be put in first place, thus logically highlighting it, with the introduction of certain structures.
Some situations call for a more formal style. How to translate sentences from Russian into English, if you need to reflect a polite appeal? For this, in English, as well as in Russian, the past tense is used, in this case, the past indefinite ('could you', 'I was wondering', 'did you').
Learning the basics of translation
Most modern methods do not include translation exercises. Basically, all tasks today are aimed at the development of colloquial speech, and not at how to translate into English. This is a very rational approach to learning a foreign language. However, the good old text translation tasks have their undeniable advantages. It is especially important to engage in translation for those who plan to further link their professional activity with English.
In this article, we propose to look at the benefits of translating texts from one language into another, and how to translate correctly.
Options for translation exercises
- Pick a good textbook
Find a quality manual for English in Russian. As a rule, such educational materials are full of different exercises for translating from Russian into English and vice versa. In such manuals, tasks, for the most part, are provided for practicing various grammatical structures, and by studying regularly, you can bring the use of most of them to automatism. You can find a paper version of the textbook, or look for exercises online. - Interpretation and translation
Practice both interpreting and writing. Both exercises have their benefits. So, by translating the text orally, you can work out your pronunciation and you will immediately practice colloquial speech. Whereas when translating, you will practice spelling. - Translate from dictation
We recommend trying simultaneous translation. Ask someone to dictate a text to you in Russian, and immediately write it down yourself English version this text. Such classes will allow you to learn how to find speech matches as quickly as possible, develop the speed of thinking, and also allow you to practice using the learned vocabulary and grammar. In this way, you will contribute to the transfer of words from the passive vocabulary to the active one, which will make it easier to remember them during communication. - Read and translate
Find an article in English on the Internet that will match your level of knowledge. Try to translate it. Remember that when translating, the most important thing is to convey the meaning of what the author said, so if the text contains about 10% of unfamiliar vocabulary, do not rush to translate it, just try to understand the meaning of unfamiliar words from the context. It will be great if this article is already in a professional translation. Thus, you can compare your creation with her and check how well you feel the English language. - From Russian to English
Find a simple text in Russian and try to translate it into English. Children's stories or articles with simple vocabulary are ideal for performing such an exercise. Write down your version of the translation, and after a while check it for errors. You can ask a friend who speaks English well or a teacher to check your text and compare it with the translation. Also, if among your friends there is a person who, like you, is studying English, you can offer him to translate the same story separately, and then compare your translations. You will be surprised how differently one text can be translated. - Compare yourself to a professional translator
Take a book in English and try to translate a few paragraphs from it into Russian. Of course, you need to choose a book that will suit your level. For example, at below-intermediate levels, translate children's fairy tales and stories with simple vocabulary, at an intermediate level, try to translate something from modern literature, however, pay attention that it does not contain a lot of slang. Those who improve their knowledge can try to dare to translate the classics. After completing the exercise, compare your version of the translation with the professional one. Look at what words you used to convey the meaning of what you wrote, and what words the translator used. This is not only a great way to hone your knowledge, but also an opportunity to again discover the richness of both Russian and English.
The benefits of translation exercises
The communicative method by which students are taught in most modern schools, is considered to be the most effective. However, teachers do not advise abandoning the practice of translating texts from Russian into English and vice versa. Let's find out why.
- Practicing learned words in practice
By translating the text, you will work out the learned words and grammatical constructions in practice. At the same time, you will practice using new vocabulary in context. Plus, it's a great way to build up your vocabulary. So, not knowing how to translate this or that word, you will have to look into the dictionary, and then use it correctly when doing the exercise. By doing written translation, you will also memorize how a particular word is spelled correctly. - You will learn how to choose the right words
It would seem, why do you need to be able to translate, if there is great amount online translators: you enter the desired phrase - and in a second the translation is ready. However, an automatic program is just a program that does not understand the subtleties of the language, and often translates texts very clumsily. Almost every word in English has several meanings, and synonymous words are not always interchangeable, and how many stable phrases exist that cannot be translated literally ... By translating, you can develop an understanding of speech, and learn how to choose words correctly and use them in your own speech. - Grammar work
You will be able to better understand how various grammatical constructions are used in practice. Compare the grammar of Russian and English. For example, there are more tenses in English than in Russian. However, often in Russian, in order to give what is said one shade or another, which is transmitted in English, thanks to the use of tenses, we will use different prefixes and suffixes. Translation exercises will help you better understand the difference between English tenses, and you will definitely stop getting confused in them. - You stop translating everything verbatim
It is far from always possible to translate English phrases verbatim to make a coherent speech, and not a pun. By translating, you will be able to better understand the English language, and learn to establish language correspondences, rather than translating each word separately. You will understand that the main thing in translation is not every single word, but the meaning of what was said. By the way, this is a great exercise for the development of thinking, which will teach you to think more broadly and broaden your horizons. - You learn to build sentences correctly
Taking into account the fact that in Russian there are no certain rules for the order of words in a sentence, sometimes the construction of sentences in English is difficult. During the translation exercises, you will learn how to build English sentences competently, thanks to which you will express yourself competently during communication. And at advanced levels, you can practice using stylistic inversion as well. - You will learn to think in English
It may seem that translation exercises, on the contrary, call for thinking in Russian. However, by practicing translation, you will learn to mentally compose sentences in English, that is, to think in English phrases, not Russian ones.
As you can see, translation exercises can help effective learning English. They allow you to better understand the language, understand its intricacies and work out the acquired knowledge in practice. Such classes will be especially useful for those who have just set foot on the path of learning English.
Translation exercises are actually a very creative activity that requires the ability to think broadly and creatively. Knowing how to translate into English is very important, because it develops a sense of speech and helps to hone your knowledge of the language.