Beginner question about translation of names of organizations or approaches
Thread poster: Furorensu (X)
Furorensu (X)
Furorensu (X)
France
Mar 26, 2019

Hello everyone,

I am a translation student to be and starting my first translation project (english>french) of a psychology related manual as part of a volunteering project for an NGO. I want to do things right, so I have a few questions.

First, I was wondering about the translation of the name of the NGO: I am pretty sure it should stay into the original language (keeping the same acronyms) - is that correct? Now my question is, should I also provide a translation in t
... See more
Hello everyone,

I am a translation student to be and starting my first translation project (english>french) of a psychology related manual as part of a volunteering project for an NGO. I want to do things right, so I have a few questions.

First, I was wondering about the translation of the name of the NGO: I am pretty sure it should stay into the original language (keeping the same acronyms) - is that correct? Now my question is, should I also provide a translation in the target language and in what form? (e.g. should I put the french translation in brackets next to the english NGO name or something?)

Also, the manual is about a training, of which the name is also abbreviated into acronyms (e.g. "Accurate Translation Training (ATT)"). How should I go about this? Is it usual to keep the name in english or better to create a suitable french translation for it and thus change the acronyms too?

Thank you for taking the time to respond.

[Edited at 2019-03-26 11:05 GMT]

[Edited at 2019-03-26 16:38 GMT]
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Marjolein Snippe
Marjolein Snippe  Identity Verified
Netherlands
Local time: 10:01
Member (2012)
English to Dutch
+ ...
ask the client Mar 27, 2019

Hello Furorensu,

This sounds like an interesting project! I agree that the name of the NGO should remain in English, otherwise people will not be able to find it when they look for it elsewhere. If necessary, you could add a description the first time it appears (e.g. "an NGO that provides support to people with xxx"), in case you think that makes it easier for your readers to figure out what the NGO is about.

As for the training, I think it depends. If the same trainin
... See more
Hello Furorensu,

This sounds like an interesting project! I agree that the name of the NGO should remain in English, otherwise people will not be able to find it when they look for it elsewhere. If necessary, you could add a description the first time it appears (e.g. "an NGO that provides support to people with xxx"), in case you think that makes it easier for your readers to figure out what the NGO is about.

As for the training, I think it depends. If the same training appears in other documents or is used by others as well, I would think the original name will need to appear, along with the abbreviation. In that case, I might translate the full name and add the English name plus abbreviation in brackets:

Training Nauwkeurig Vertalen (Accurate Translation Training: ATT)

and use the original abbreviation ATT throughout the text. If it is specifically developed for this particular case and not being used elsewhere, the translation and abbreviation TNV might work. If possible, I would ask the NGO (your client) what they prefer. Unless you have already asked too many questions and clarifications, they will usually be glad you asked and be happy to help.

Good luck!
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neilmac
Morano El-Kholy
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
 
Claudia Leão
Claudia Leão
Brazil
Local time: 06:01
English to Portuguese
+ ...
Translations about names of organizations Mar 27, 2019

This is a very interesting project. As a translation the ideal is to think about the target audience and in this case the translation should be complete. In the case of a project, you can use the original abbreviation and use brackets to explain what about the original translated. In a future task, ask the client in case of doubt. If possible before even starting work because this is an issue that is always on the agenda. Good luck in your project!

 
Susan Welsh
Susan Welsh  Identity Verified
United States
Local time: 05:01
Russian to English
+ ...
a training Mar 28, 2019

I agree with Marjolein.
But please note that "training" is not a countable noun in English, contrary to what many non-native-speakers believe! Therefore you cannot say "a training." You can say "a training program" or "a training session." See "Misused English Words and Expressions in EU Publi
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I agree with Marjolein.
But please note that "training" is not a countable noun in English, contrary to what many non-native-speakers believe! Therefore you cannot say "a training." You can say "a training program" or "a training session." See "Misused English Words and Expressions in EU Publications," page 62: https://eca.europa.eu/Lists/ECADocuments/EN_TERMINIOLOGY_PUBLICATION/EN_TERMINIOLOGY_PUBLICATION_EN.pdf
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Daniel Frisano
Daniel Frisano  Identity Verified
Italy
Local time: 10:01
Member (2008)
English to Italian
+ ...
Don't ask the client Mar 28, 2019

Whenever possible (and it's ALWAYS possible), avoid the easy asking-the-client shortcut. Even when justified, it smells of indecisiveness and laziness.

Take your responsibilities and make your choices. You can add an explanatory note. If the client disagrees, they'll let you know, and you will amend your work accordingly.

The end result is the same, and you give a better image of yourself.


DZiW (X)
 
DZiW (X)
DZiW (X)
Ukraine
English to Russian
+ ...
Don't let others decide it for you Mar 28, 2019

I agree with Daniel--just choose one standard and follow it, keeping the bull (non-specialists) away from the china shop (the translation field).

On the other hand, why working free for commercialized grant-eaters ([s]anti[s] non-government organizations; NGOs), which are lavishly funded to achieve foreign social or political aims--not controlled by the government? They used to pay me quite a big penny.


 
Furorensu (X)
Furorensu (X)
France
TOPIC STARTER
Thank you Mar 29, 2019

Thank you everyone for your answers!

I see opinions differ as to contact the client or not... But as I said, it is my first translation work for someone so I was just making sure there weren't any rules already in place for this kind of things.

DZiW, to reply to you: This is my first work for someone, I am far from being a professional yet, I have time right now and I am just trying to help a project tha
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Thank you everyone for your answers!

I see opinions differ as to contact the client or not... But as I said, it is my first translation work for someone so I was just making sure there weren't any rules already in place for this kind of things.

DZiW, to reply to you: This is my first work for someone, I am far from being a professional yet, I have time right now and I am just trying to help a project that I happen to find very interesting with that! Thanks for sharing your opinion though
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Christine Andersen
Christine Andersen  Identity Verified
Denmark
Local time: 10:01
Member (2003)
Danish to English
+ ...
Check, check and check... Mar 29, 2019

My target language is English, and almost any self-respecting international organisation seems to have an idea of what it calls itself in English. This may or may not be a direct translation of its name in the source language, in my case Danish.

With French you have the really big ones - OTAN is the first that comes to mind, and all the EU institutions. They certainly have official French names.
Probably lots of organisations that are active in the Francophone world also hav
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My target language is English, and almost any self-respecting international organisation seems to have an idea of what it calls itself in English. This may or may not be a direct translation of its name in the source language, in my case Danish.

With French you have the really big ones - OTAN is the first that comes to mind, and all the EU institutions. They certainly have official French names.
Probably lots of organisations that are active in the Francophone world also have French names. Check their websites. If they have a French version, you may have to search, but you should then be able to see what they call themselves.

When you find a name, NOTE IT IN A SEARCHABLE LIST OR DATABASE, with the date when you last checked! You will be glad of it later, believe me!

Over the years I have collected a list of English names of Danish and Scandinavian organisations, trade unions, NGOs, all kinds of international entities. The list takes up more than 100 pages! I am slowly transferring it to a database, but it takes time to check that they are all up to date.

Government agencies/departments/offices of this and that change with new governments, but the names turn up in legislation and elsewhere.
Universities and colleges amalgamate and reorganise, but their diplomas turn up with CVs decades later…
_______________

With regard to asking the client - I have my ideas, but often clients have theirs too. I ask them about the target group and what their policy is, and I tell them about my approach. Usually we agree, or else we come to an agreement.
That way you look professional and decisive, not lazy, and they can´t complain afterwards …
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DZiW (X)
Eliza Hall
 
ali ghobyshavi
ali ghobyshavi
Iran
Local time: 12:31
Belarusian to Persian (Farsi)
+ ...
Translator Apr 16, 2019

I hope you succeed in this important project.I'm also proud of you as a person Translator.

[Edited at 2019-04-16 09:07 GMT]

[Edited at 2019-04-16 09:08 GMT]


 


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Beginner question about translation of names of organizations or approaches







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