Which challenges must a good translator master?
A good translation must meet many challenges, especially when dealing with jokes, idioms and cultural references.
Idioms are expressions or figures of speech which have a particular meaning and can often not be translated literally. For example, the German expression “ins Gras beißen” does not mean that someone bites into grass, but that he dies. That corresponds roughly to the English “bite the dust” or “kick the bucket”. It is therefore important to understand the meaning of a phrase and find an equivalent expression in the target language that conveys the same meaning and, in this case, the same colloquial style.
This can be particularly difficult when translating jokes. Jokes are strongly connected to the culture and language in which they are told. They often employ ambiguities, puns or associations which simply do not work in another language. When translating jokes, it is therefore vital not to just translate the joke but to make it funny and comprehensible for the target audience.
Cultural references can also be a major challenge for translators. When used in a translation, they often mean nothing to the target audience. In this case, the translator may have to add an explanation to ensure the reader understands the reference so that the translation is successful.