by Frances Simon

Created on: March 17, 2008   Last Updated: May 20, 2008

Educational materials, by their very nature, must provide totally accurate and clear information, as well as proper grammar and spelling. Differences between the characteristics of a language, cultural differences, and local dialects add to the difficulty of education translation. All of these factors combined create unique challenges in the translation of educational materials.

Textbooks typically use precise language, and commonly use words in ways unique to the topic, with a unique vocabulary. Accurately translating the information requires an understanding of the differences in language structure, and how this affects an accurate translation from one language to the other. Additionally, the translation must be true to the meaning of the text, while retaining the information in the material.

With textbooks and training materials, minor inaccuracies in translation can totally change the meaning of a concept, and end up teaching incorrect information. While a mistranslation on a menu may be amusing, inaccuracies in information on caustic materials can be highly hazardous. If the educational material is being used to teach how to teach others, the effects of the mistranslation can be multiplied exponentially.

With tests, failures in accurate translation can lead to an inaccurate evaluation of a student's grasp of the information. Such instances can lead to an incorrect assessment of a student's knowledge, thereby making the evaluation invalid. Tests create a unique challenge to the translator, because of their concise format, and the extreme importance of asking the question that is intended.

Even a person who has an excellent grasp of both languages may have difficulty creating an accurate translation of education materials. The translation of educational materials requires an understanding of the material, as well as the language, to make a detailed translation while maintaining the accuracy of meaning. A translator must be well versed in the topic, as well as the language.

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