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Education translation is growing with the expansion of cultures and unified learning around the globe. More and more educational materials such as text books, test, handouts and instructions are needing to be translated into various languages so that students may learn in their own native languages. This is also true with various educational items that are made for the purpose of teaching other languages. However education translation poses unique challenges over other forms of translation and requires precise expertise.

Common forms of translation such as for signs, simple forms and even more complex forms such as medical translation all differ greatly from education translation. The more common forms of translation use simple phrases or specific set terms that are easily recognized and understood throughout a language. Education translation must be more specific and careful of regional differences and terms and to their various meanings. For instance a word or term could be completely innocent in one region and totally inappropriate in another despite it being written in the same language. Many words and terms within the same language vary in meaning from region to region. When translating educational materials it can be challenging to understand and be conscious of the various meanings of such terms and to know which neutral phrases are safe to use while still getting the point across to students.

Another unique challenge of education translation is in translating euphemisms, proverbs and sayings from one language into the other. Many such sayings not only loose their meaning in translation but are based on concepts that not every culture has. This aspect of education translation also requires careful research and attention so as not to loose the reader or translate something that simply does not make sense in the other language. Cultural research can be very helpful during the education translation process.

As education around the world becomes more unified education translation will become increasingly important as will the proper handling of the unique challenges that it proposes. With research and awareness many of the challenges of education translation can easily be met.

Learn more about this author, Gisela Perez.
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