Meaning-Based Translation: A Guide to Cross-Language Equivalence, 2nd edition

This book had some really great tips, but by the end seemed repetitive. Also, included a lot of linguistic terms and concepts, maybe more than I wanted for a Spanish translation course.

Amazing for aspiring translators/interpreters

If I didn't need it for a class I wouldn't read it. She just repeats herself but super inconsistently so it gets confusing.

Good price and good enough condition

One of the challenges to learning translation outside the classroom is working your way through the thicket of linguistic theories that are the basis of most texts. In addition, as a beginner, it can be difficult to avoid wasting months learning methods that are ultimately too unwieldy to be of practical use. How does a self-learner, wanting to move from ad-hoc to a more methodical practice of translation, map out a course for him or herself?Larson's Meaning-based Translation is a good place to start. Focusing on the most important aspect of translation - accurately getting the meaning of a text from one language into another - by focusing on the challenges of idiomatic translation. Her approach is practical and largely free of highly technical or abstract jargon; a bonus for the translator less interested in theory or semantics than in translating. To become a good translator, you will have to learn some theory but Larson pares it down to what you really need.Larson's approach is methodical. Chapters are short and concept focused, so new material is easy to work with. New words and concepts are highlighted by bold print and defined in the text. There are exercises at the end of each chapter that reinforce basic ideas. In addition to drawing from African and Asian languages for examples, Larson includes a good bibliography and decent index.My only disappointment about the text is that it hasn't been updated since its release in 1997. Otherwise it is an excellent text for new and intermediate translators working on their own.

I am currently using this text in a translation class. Larsen builds on the work of her predicessors, but does a much better job of breaking down the information on this vast subject into bite-sized pieces than anyone else. Note, this is not an easy read, but a textbook. It is not a night stand book or summer beach novel. It is very comprehensive and takes some effort in reading and utilizing the excercises in order to gain the most benefit. However, if you have an interest in how to translate meaning from one language into another, this text is indespensable.

Here's a book for anyone interested in learning more about the wide range of topics involved in translation. The author applies her years of practical field-based translation (and linguistic) experience to explain the various ways ideas are expressed in the world's languages. Although the author uses many English examples, she also refers to dozens of other languages as they illustrate a point.An interesting addition to the normal texts on translation is a chapter on checking and improving a translation from first draft through to publication.A helpful index and an extensive bibliography complete the volume.