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'''Translation''' is the act of converting speech, or the written word, from one language to another, or even between different dialects. It may also apply to the dejargonification of language from complex and obscure terminology or esotericisms  into everyday terms that can be understood by ordinary people.

'''Translation''' is the act of converting the written word from one language to another, or even between different dialects. The act of converting the spoken word between languages is known as interpretation.  It may also apply to the dejargonification of language from complex and obscure terminology or esotericisms  into everyday terms that can be understood by ordinary people.

Owing to the widespread use of idiom in language, translation may be fraught with problems and blindly following a translated topic can result in unexpected consequences.  One notable example from the [[United Nations]] general assembly may serve to illustrate this point.  

Owing to the widespread use of idiom in language, translation may be fraught with problems and blindly following a translated topic can result in unexpected consequences.  Languages do not have a one to one correspondence with one another so translators must employ various techniques to circumvent these pitfalls. Often a translator must either expand or condense a phrase or word in order to properly express the meaning of the source text.  A thorough grasp of the texts subject matter is often required of a translator in order to use the correct language in a given field.  It is usually best for a translator to work into his or her native language as translating into a non-native language often results in stilted, unnatural phrasing.

:An English-language speaker used the term "pig in a poke" in his speech but the translator used the corresponding idiom in the foreign language of a "cat in a sack".  The member to whom the original comment was addressed then elaborated on the theme of cat and made references to furry tails and sharp claws to which the original speaker was unable to relate to.

The moral of the story is that it is often unwise to emphasise the meaning of translated text but much bettter to make a scholarly study of the original. In international contracts it is common that several translations may be drawn up but a clause will specify which language shall be used for arbitration.

In international contracts it is common that several translations may be drawn up but a clause will specify which language shall be used for arbitration.

== See also ==

== See also ==