TRANSLATION WORKSHOPS

 

Applying Translation Techniques and Procedures

As part of a class project, we carried out an activity focused on reviewing and applying the most common translation techniques and procedures. First, we analyzed the information provided on the Altalingua website about the different strategies that professional translators can use, such as literal translation, transposition, modulation, equivalence, and adaptation, among others. (https://altalingua.es/tecnicas-de-traduccion/ )

Afterwards, each student asked for clarification and created their own examples to better understand how each technique can be applied in different linguistic contexts.

Finally, we put what we learned into practice through an audiovisual translation exercise. Each participant translated a 90-second segment from a YouTube video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yny_HWP_fHg). In my case, I translated the segment from minute 0:00 to 1:30, applying several of the techniques studied in order to preserve the natural flow of the message and maintain the communicative intent of the original content.

This activity helped us strengthen our practical translation skills, encouraged critical analysis of linguistic decisions, and allowed us to better understand the importance of choosing the most appropriate technique depending on the context and purpose of the text.

Translating a 5-minute Segment from a Mirror Class

In this activity, we worked in pairs to apply the translation techniques and procedures learned in class. Our task was to translate into Spanish a five-minute segment from the video “Unravelling Slavery: A Hip-Hop Experience,” a mirror class that explored the history of slavery and its global impact. 

During the process, we watched the video recording ( The Atlantic slave trade: What too few textbooks told you - Anthony Hazard https://youtu.be/3NXC4Q_4JVg?si=juC9tMyBOWTcBiZ7 ), took detailed notes, and carried out a written translation into Spanish of the assigned fragment. The segment focused on the transatlantic slave trade, its development, its economic and social consequences, and the legacy it left in the history of Africa and the Americas.

To achieve an accurate translation, we implemented several translation techniques such as literal translation, transposition, equivalence, calque, and adaptation, which allowed us to maintain the original meaning while achieving fluency and naturalness in Spanish.

From my personal experience, it was a big challenge to translate a five-minute video into Spanish, especially because at first, I didn’t have a very wide vocabulary, and we had to use different techniques to find the best equivalents. However, this activity helped me improve my English level and my translation skills, as well as strengthen my ability to analyze, interpret, and express ideas more accurately in both languages. It was a very valuable and enriching experience in my learning process.

Link to my work: Traducción vídeo 5 min.docx

Translating a 3-minute Segment from a Mirror Class

For this activity, we worked in pairs to apply the translation techniques and procedures studied in class. Our task was to translate a three-minute segment from the mirror class “An Exploration of the Self through Contemporary Poetry,” led by Professor Jairo Castañeda Trujillo. ( https://unipanamericanaeduco-my.sharepoint.com/:v:/g/personal/ajosueforero_ucompensar_edu_co/EYWNWKe-gdhLj2ez0B0d8xoBI9lWwTdcYpb8_QuD5kGPnw?e=dsJzZ8 ).

In my case, I translated the segment from minute 15:25 to 18:36, where the professor analyzed the use of the word “half-caste” in the poem by John Agard. The discussion focused on how this term, which suggests someone “incomplete” or “imperfect,” is reinterpreted by the poet to question labels, identity, and cultural difference. The professor also highlighted the use of intonation, irony, humor, and non-standard English as key poetic tools to challenge stereotypes and explore creativity through hybridity.

During the translation process, we applied several translation techniques, such as:

• EquivalenceAdaptation

• Borrowing (préstamo)

• Modulation

From my personal experience, this activity was quite challenging but very rewarding. Translating a video segment that included literary and cultural analysis was not easy, especially when dealing with complex vocabulary and poetic concepts. However, it helped me improve my English level, expand my vocabulary, and strengthen my translation skills. It was a great opportunity to practice how to make a translation sound natural while keeping the meaning and tone of the original text.

Link to my work: Actividad de traducción.docx

“Between Roots and Culture: Latino Identity”

For this workshop, we worked with the mirror class “Between Roots and Culture: Latino Identity,” led by Professor Wendi Panche. The main task was to translate the literary text “Grandma’s Wake” by Emilio Díaz Valcárcel from English into Spanish, applying the translation techniques we had learned throughout the course.

In my case, I worked with my classmate Nicole Cuesta, and together we translated the entire story, which was quite long and detailed. The text portrayed a Puerto Rican family’s traditions and conflicts during the grandmother’s wake, mixing humor, cultural identity, and family tension. Because of its narrative depth and length, this activity felt more demanding and intense than the previous workshops.

Throughout the translation process, we applied several techniques to achieve a fluent and natural version in Spanish:

• Equivalence

• Modulation

• Transposition

• Calque and Borrowing

From my personal experience, this workshop was much more challenging because translating a long literary text required great attention to detail, cultural meaning, and tone. However, it also allowed me to improve my translation skills, expand my vocabulary, and better understand how language and culture interact in literature. Despite being dense and demanding, it was a very rewarding experience that strengthened my confidence as a translator.

Link to my work: ABUELA.docx

Translating Colombian Folklore into English

In this activity, we selected a representative Colombian song. I chose “Desesperado” by Andrés Cepeda, a ballad that expresses deep emotions of love and heartbreak. First, I searched for the original lyrics in a trustworthy source, then transcribed and translated them into English, making sure to keep their poetic and emotional meaning. During the process, I used different translation techniques such as literal translation, modulation, and equivalence, to make the phrases sound natural while preserving the original feeling. This experience helped me improve my linguistic skills and understand how to adapt cultural expressions into English without losing their essence. I also enjoyed analyzing a Colombian song from a more technical and artistic perspective.

Link to my work: Andrés Cepeda.docx