Translation vs Transcreation: which one do you need and why?

by Marina Spanou

Nowadays there is more and more talk of transcreation, as opposed to simple translation. With the rise of globalisation and the opening up of new markets and horizons, companies increasingly need to translate their content to various languages; content which does not consist only of contracts and “dry” manuals, but —more often than not— it involves marketing texts that need to be translated “creatively” in order to make the same impact in other languages. That’s where transcreation comes in.

What is translation?

Let’s start by defining translation first, so that we can move on to explain its differences with transcreation. Defining translation is no easy task, as there are various, often conflicting, theories regarding its meaning, process and purpose. Some scholars argue that translation should reflect the original text as faithfully as possible, while others contend it can —and must— make compromises to achieve a natural flow in the target language. Philosophical questions aside, when it comes to commercial texts, it is generally believed that there should be a fair degree of flexibility, albeit without straying too far from the meaning of the original. We don’t want to change any meanings or intentions here; our role is that of a conveyor and not of an author.

What is transcreation?

Transcreation is a much more demanding process than translation. As discussed above, a good translation is not about translating word-for-word; nevertheless, a certain extent of loyalty to the original is always to be expected, as the role of the translator is not to create content, but rather to express the existing one in another language. Transcreation, on the other hand, can often entail the complete transformation of the text’s syntax and vocabulary, and even go so far as to radically change or omit some elements of the text if it serves the overall purpose. As such, the process of transcreation is much more complicated, requires different, albeit relevant, skills and significantly more time. Unsurprisingly, all these factors contribute to the higher costs associated with this service.

So which one do I need?

An easy way to figure out if you need to translate or to transcreate your text is this: if you want to receive a text that flows naturally in the target language but still includes all the content of the original, you should ask for simple translation. However, when you want your text to sound like it came out of the copywriting department of an advertising agency, transcreation is the way to go.

That being said, it is important to bear in mind that transcreation is a distinct service, meaning that not all translators are able to provide it. A good translator must have many skills, among which a thorough knowledge and understanding of the source language, an almost perfect knowledge of the target language, and the experience that enables you to tread the thin line between faithful and “free” translation. On the other hand, translators venturing into transcreation often have a marketing background, experience in the field or just a deep interest or natural flair for writing commercial copy, none of which is a requirement for a professional translator.

To sum up, the best way to make sure you will get the desired results is to communicate your needs and wishes to the language professional of your choice. The more information you provide your translator before you assign the project, the closer the final text will be to your needs and expectations.