Literal vs. Free Translation: Which is Best for Language Learners?

Have you had that awesome dream lots of language learners have; the one where you are fluent in your target language, easily conversing with and understanding the native speakers around you? Your hard work has paid off and you have arrived: You can think in Mandarin! (at least, Mandarin in my case!) It’s the best…until you wake up. But even then it’s still a little satisfying because you know that means your brain must be processing what you are studying. 

In this blog we are breaking down two different types of language translation and the pros and cons of how each relates to thinking in your target language. Plus, we’ll share insights from Dr. Katharina Barbe of Northern Illinois University and reveal a brand new summer fun activity book we have created that exercises Mandarin thinking skills - you (and your kids) are going to love it!

Literal vs. Free Translation

Of course, language learning is a multifaceted process that involves various methods and approaches to achieve fluency. Among these methods, translation plays a significant role, especially in the initial stages of learning. 

There are two primary types of translation that learners often encounter, generally accepted to be called “literal translation” and “free translation” (you may find them referred to by other names, such as “direct” or “sense-for-sense” translation, respectively). Both have distinct roles in helping learners take the necessary steps to progress from being beginners to fluent speakers who can think naturally in their target language without mentally translating.

Literal Translation

Literal translation, also known as direct or word-for-word translation, involves translating text by adhering closely to the original language’s sentence structure and vocabulary. This method ensures high accuracy and is particularly useful for technical or legal documents where precision is paramount. This method is particularly useful in the early stages of language learning for several reasons:

Pros of Literal Translation:

• Accuracy: Maintains the original meaning with high fidelity. Helps learners build their vocabulary by directly associating words in their native language with their counterparts in the target language. 
• Clarity: Useful for understanding specific terminology and structure. Learners can observe and understand the grammatical structure and syntax of the target language. This comparative analysis helps them grasp how sentences are constructed differently from their native language.
• Consistency: Ideal for formal documents where exact replication is necessary.
• Confidence Boost: Literal translation provides a sense of security for beginners. It allows them to understand and produce simple sentences without the fear of making significant errors, boosting their confidence to use the language.

Cons of Literal Translation:

• Awkward Phrasing: Can result in unnatural or stilted language in the target text.
• Loss of Idiomatic Expressions: May miss cultural nuances and slang or idiomatic meanings.

Free Translation

Free translation, also known as dynamic translation, focuses on conveying the meaning and essence of a sentence rather than translating each word individually. It adapts cultural context and idiomatic expressions to produce a more natural and readable translation in the target language. This method becomes increasingly important as learners advance in their language studies.

Pros of Free Translation:

• Readability: Produces a smoother, more fluent text in the target language.
• Cultural Relevance: Captures idiomatic expressions, colloquial language, and cultural nuances.
• Flexibility: Allows for creative interpretation to best convey the original message.

Cons of Free Translation:

1. Potential Deviation: Risk of straying too far from the original meaning. Though low to high intermediate students are often encouraged to move from literal translation to free translation as soon as possible, sometimes the pressure to do so can leave gaps in truly understanding what they listened to or read. 
2. Subjectivity: Requires deep understanding and careful judgment by the translator, which, again, for students in the range between low and high intermediate levels can lead to overthinking and cause you to feel shaky in your confidence. 

So, Which is Better: Literal, or Free Translation?

The short answer is, it depends. Literal and free translation both play crucial roles in the language learning journey. Literal translation aids in building a foundation of vocabulary and grammar, while free translation fosters a deeper understanding of meaning, context, and cultural nuances. 

Dr. Katharina Barbe’s Balanced Approach

Dr. Katharina Barbe, PhD, a linguistics expert who taught at Northern Illinois University, advocates for a balanced approach to translation. She emphasizes that the choice between literal and free translation should depend on the context and purpose of the translation, as well as the target audience. To sum up her advice:

• Context Matters: Consider the type of text and its intended use.
• Audience Awareness: Tailor the translation to suit the understanding and expectations of the target audience.
• Translator's Judgment: Use a combination of literal and free translation techniques to achieve the best results.

Barbe’s approach highlights the importance of flexibility and the translator’s role in navigating between these methods to produce an effective and meaningful translation.

How Little Crab Educational Press Can Help

As we all know, thinking in one’s target language really is the holy grail of fluency. At Little Crab Educational Press, we have always believed in creating materials that have flexibility in the way they are used for learning, and part of that means creating works that support both literal and free translation skills rather than leaning heavily on just one or the other. 

For one example, our proprietary Text Scaffolding, which is used in our storybooks, opens up the possibility to easily focus on and study the direct meaning of vocabulary in the story’s text but also offers an equally convenient way to practice free translation and quickly “check your work”, so to speak. To learn more about what our Text Scaffolding is, check out this Youtube video explaining our proprietary method of displaying text.

Exciting News: Introducing Our Latest Product!

Designed to help you feel the sense of achievement that comes with mastering new vocabulary, we are thrilled to announce our newest addition, the "Bilingual Cryptogram Puzzle Book 1: Inspiring and Motivational 成语 Chéng Yǔ in Simplified Chinese Characters, Pinyin, and English." This creative puzzle book is perfect for both native English-speaking students of Chinese and English-speaking native speakers of Chinese, and it’s a fantastic summer bridge activity that combines fun and challenging cryptogram puzzles with individual Chinese character study and whole-phrase idiom learning. Coming soon to Our Little Shop and to your Amazon marketplace!

成语 -  chéng yǔ, or Chinese idiomatic expressions, sometimes referred to as Chinese proverbs, most of the time do not lend themselves well to literal translation. However, without literal translation, you might miss the important cultural story behind the proverb, which carries the true meaning of the 成语. Yet, 成语 are excellent for exercising one's free translation skills, as they require understanding and conveying the essence and context of the expressions. That said, our puzzle book still allows for exercising your literal translation skills: our bilingual approach allows you to study and review 22 super useful Chinese key words repeatedly throughout the book in addition to breaking down the literal meaning of the individual words in each 成语 and of course, the full, free translation of the entire 成语 expression. By the time you finish the book, you (or your kids) will have reviewed the themed vocabulary several times and learned the meaning of 10 new 成语 all about inspiration and motivation!

Final thoughts

We believe Dr. Katharina Barbe’s points are sound: Context matters, you must maintain an awareness of your audience, and using a careful combination of both literal and free translation after taking these two factors into account is a recipe for success.

By now you should have an understanding of the difference between direct and free translation - understanding the pros and cons of each - and, for our Mandarin-learner/speaker readers, have a fun new way to exercise both types of skills with our latest product. And who knows - maybe learning some new 成语 is the thing that will unlock one of those blissfully satisfying, full-fluency dreams for you!

As always, if you have any questions about what you have read here, feel free to contact us through our website.

Summer Fun

Ready to enhance your language skills with a fun and engaging activity? Click to download our Motivational Chéng Yǔ Memory Game Digital Download Companion for our new cryptogram book (which means you'll get notified of its release and get an offer code for 10% off the book's purchase through Our Little Shop) and keep up with your Chinese this summer!

We welcome you  to share your thoughts and experiences with translation in an email to us or on social media - tag us @littlecrabpress. We’d love to hear from you!