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Publishing a book to an international market is a fantastic opportunity. It is a huge career milestone that comes with maximum exposure and presents the opportunity to appeal to a much wider audience.
As an author, you will want to be sure that the content of your book resonates internationally, and that dialect and nuances are conveyed to the reader exactly as intended. So, how can you ensure your book is received in such a way?
Well, that’s where book translation comes in.
Book translation is the process of translating a book from one language to another, ensuring it resonates with the target audience and cultural context while maintaining the original material meaning, tone, and emotional impact.
Although adapted, the writing in a book should never completely change. Engaging with the audience is the most important element of literature. If that engagement is lost, then the core of the writing disappears.
Though book translation and regular translation can seem very similar, there are several differences between the two:
Regular translation can be used purely to inform the target audience of something. Consider texts such as equipment manuals. Another example is legal texts, such as birth certificates.
On the other hand, the purpose of book translation, goes beyond informing the target audience. It must engage the target audience in the same way the original book resonated with its audience.
The main aim of translation is to deliver a message accurately and clearly to the target audience in the target language.
In contrast, the goal of book translation is to convey a message in a way that engages the target audience while preserving a style as close as possible to the original. Therefore, while a book can be informative, it may also entertain, persuade, or evoke various emotions in the reader.
Book translation may require a degree of transcreation, which involves creating new content in the target language to accommodate cultural differences, avoid cultural mishaps, or connect emotionally with the target audience.
Book translation may also require localisation, where the material is adapted to suit a local context.
While translation requires time and skill, book translation often demands an additional layer of research and creativity.
This is because the translator must ensure that the book’s content aligns with the culture and values of the target audience and resonates with them just as the original book does with its intended audience.
As a result, some degree of transcreation or localisation may be necessary, which can also extend the translation process beyond a direct translation.
| Book translation | Regular Translation |
| May adapt the language to achieve a desired effect or to better suit the target culture. | Conveys meaning as accurately as possible. |
| Can serve multiple purposes, including informing, educating, or entertaining. | Is usually used for informative text. |
| Prioritises perception and emotional impact. | Prioritises meaning. |
| May use some adaptation in the form of transcreation or localisation. | Renders a text directly from one language into another. |
| Can take longer, due to its creative nature. | |
| Usually performed by translators who are also talented writers. |
When it comes to choosing between book translation and regular translation, consider the content and purpose of your text.
If the text you wish to translate is purely informative and prioritises linguistic accuracy, regular translation is suitable.
However, if the text is designed to engage, persuade, entertain, or evoke emotion in the target audience, book translation is the best choice.
The time it takes to translate a book varies significantly depending on several factors.
The length of the original text is important.
A short book or short story of 50,000 words or fewer can take up to 3 months, whereas a long book of 100,000 words or more can take about a year.
If the book is highly complex or covers a specialised subject, the translation may take longer due to the added need for research.
It is often faster to translate fiction than technical or academic books, as fiction typically has fewer specialised terms.
Some language pairs may take longer to translate than others. This is because some countries have fewer cultural similarities, requiring more time for cultural adaptation and transcreation or localisation.
If the author is available to answer any questions the translator may have, it can speed up the translation process by reducing the need for extensive research.
Cultural adaptation is a vital part of book translation because it considers the cultural context surrounding the language used.
Not only is the translation linguistically accurate, but it is also adapted to resonate with the target audience in a way that aligns with the target culture.
Cultural adaptation minimizes the risk of mis-translating culturally bound content in a way that may confuse—or worse, offend—the target audience.
As a result, culturally adapted books are more likely to have the desired effect in the target language.
There are several factors to consider when choosing a provider for your book translation services:
Consider the type of book, the required target language(s), and whether your book covers a specialised topic.
If the content of the book includes many subject-specific terms that require specialist knowledge, this should be taken into account when choosing a provider.
If you require multilingual translation for multiple audiences, it is advisable to choose a provider who works with multiple languages.
Choose a provider with in-depth knowledge of your target market and, if possible, the book topic.
Check reviews of book translation service providers to verify their efficacy.
Check for certification from the International Organization for Standardisation (ISO). When a translation company is ISO-certified, it indicates that the translation process adheres to specific requirements for quality, accuracy, and consistency, including qualifications of translators, review procedures, and client satisfaction.
The original author (or publisher) typically holds the copyright to the book. Permission (also known as translation rights) must be obtained from them before creating a translation. Authors or publishers can sell or license translation rights to a translator, agency, or foreign publisher.
Copyright duration varies depending on the country. In many places, it lasts for the life of the author plus seventy years.
There may also be specific laws and conventions in place depending on the source and target countries.
Performing excellent book translation ensures your message resonates with your target audience. It avoids the risk of mis-translating culturally-bound content in a way that may confuse – or worse, offend – the target audience.
Book translation is a fundamental choice for the translation of any literature or literary non-fiction. It’s also recommended for any book that’s written with the intent to entertain, persuade or evoke an emotion in its reader.
Book translation is all the more necessary if the content of the book is complex or specialised.
Yes. Due to its need for in-depth research and an extra level of creativity, book translation usually takes longer than translation.
Due to the increased need for research, time, and creativity in the book translation process, it is generally more costly than regular translation projects. However, book translation is likely to yield a higher return on investment because the message will resonate more effectively with the target audience.
Find out more about book translation services at Absolute Translations.
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