1.       Transposition: Change the grammatical category of the word to fit the target language norms; you can change the verb, adverb, or adjective.

English: he decides to run quickly.

Spanish: decidió una rápida Carrera.

2.       Modulation: it is a translation technique where the translator changes the point of view of the original message to make it more understandable in the target language.

        English: It is not impossible to make.

       Spanish: se puede realizar.

3.       Equivalence: it is a translation technique where the translator uses a completely different expression or phrase to convey the same meaning.

English: it is raining cats and dogs.

Spanish: está cayendo que aguacero.

4.       Adaptation: It is a translation technique in which a cultural element of the original text is changed to be more appropriate for the target language.

English: he plays baseball every Sunday.

Spanish: juega al futbol todos los domingos.

1. Transposition: Changing the grammatical category (e.g., from noun to verb), keeping the meaning.

Example:

She gave me a smile.

Ella me sonrió.

2. Modulation: Changing the point of view or the way something is expressed.

Example:

It’s not difficult.

Es fácil.

3. Equivalence: Using a completely different expression that means the same thing, often for idioms.

Example:

It’s raining cats and dogs.

Está lloviendo a cántaros.

4. Adaptation: Replacing a cultural reference with something more familiar in the target culture.

Example:

He played baseball all day.

Jugó fútbol todo el día.

5. Compensation: When something is lost in translation in one place, it's added or replaced elsewhere to keep the effect.

Example:

(Pun lost in translation; humor added later)

(Se añade una broma en otro lugar del texto para mantener el tono humorístico.)

6. Amplification: Adding extra words to clarify or explain an idea.

Example:

She waved.

Ella saludó con la mano.

7. Reduction: Removing unnecessary words when the meaning is clear from context.

Example:

Ella saludó con la mano.

She waved.

1. Transposition: Changing the grammatical category. Example: English: She decided to leave. Spanish: Tomó la decision de irse.

2. Modulation: Changing the point of view, perspective, or semantics. Example: English: It's not difficult to understand. French: C’est facile à comprendre.

3. Equivalence: Using an equivalent expression with the same function or meaning, often used in idioms, sayings, or advertising slogans. Example: English: Out of sight, out of mind. Spanish: Ojos que no ven, corazón que no siente. diferents words same idea.

4. Adaptation: Replacing a cultural reference that doesn’t exist in the target culture with one that does. Example: English: He scored a touchdown. Spanish: Marcó un gol.Using a more culturally familiar sport reference

5. Reformulation: Restating the message in different words when no direct translation is possible. Example: English: She was under the weather. Spanish: No se sentía bien.

   
   

Research about Indirect translation techniques with examples.

Indirect translation technique

Those are used when direct translation disrupts the grammatical structure or style of the target language.

I found 7 common indirect translation techniques:

1.Transposition: This involves changing the grammatical structure of a sentence without altering its meaning. For example, a noun in the source language might be translated as a verb in the target language.
Example: The cat is on the mat" (English) might be transposed to "Sur le tapis est le chat" (French, literally "On the mat is the cat"). 

2. Modulation: This involves changing the point of view or perspective of the text to convey the same meaning in the target language.
Example: "It's not difficult to understand" (English) might be translated as "C'est facile à comprendre" (French, literally "It's easy to understand"). 

3. Reformulation/Equivalence: This involves finding a completely different expression in the target language that conveys the same meaning as the source text. This is often used for idioms, proverbs, and fixed expressions.
Example: The English idiom "break a leg" (meaning "good luck") would be translated using a different expression in other languages that conveys the same sentiment. 

4. Adaptation: This involves replacing a cultural reference in the source text with a culturally equivalent one in the target text.
Example: If a text refers to a "hot dog" (a common American food), it might be adapted to a "sausage roll" in a British context. 

5. Compensation: This involves making up for a loss of meaning or stylistic effect in one part of the translation by adding something similar elsewhere. This technique is often used when dealing with cultural or linguistic nuances that are difficult to translate directly.
Example: If a particular play on words is lost in translation, the translator might compensate by adding a similar play on words in another part of the text. 

6. Reduction: This technique involves simplifying the source text by removing elements that are not essential or relevant to the target audience. This can improve clarity and readability, especially when dealing with complex or technical language. 

7. Transcreation: This technique goes beyond translation and involves recreating the text in the target language, taking into account cultural and linguistic nuances. It is often used for marketing and advertising materials, where the goal is to create the same emotional impact on the target audience as the source text had on the original audience. 

are those that involve more transformation and adaptation between the source language (SL) and target language (TL), often used when direct translation (like literal or borrowing) is not possible due to structural or cultural differences.

Adaptation: cultural substitution to fit the target culture.

Plays jumping jack→ Juega a saltar la cuerda

Modulation: change in point of view or logic.

It’s not impossible → Es posible

Equivalence: use of culturally equivalent expression.

It’s raining cats and dogs → Llueve a cántaros

Transposition: shift in grammatical structure.

She is good at singing → Ella canta bien

Compensation: introducing lost meaning/style in another part of the text.

Scottish accent → Acento típico de Escocia

Used when a direct translation would sound unnatural or change the meaning.

1. Transposition: Changing the grammatical category without changing the meaning.
Example:
-She gave him a quick reply.
-Le respondió rápidamente.

“A quick reply” (noun + adjective) becomes “respondió rápidamente” (verb + adverb). A shift in structure happens but the meaning is preserved.

2. Modulation: Changing the point of view or cognitive category of the message.
Example:
-It’s not difficult to understand.
-Es fácil de entender.

Negative in English (“not difficult”) becomes positive in Spanish (“fácil”).

3. Equivalence: Expressing the same situation using completely different words. Often used for idioms or proverbs.
Example:

-It’s raining cats and dogs.
-Está cayendo un aguacero o está cayendo un palo de agua.

A culturally equivalent expression is used in Panama.

4. Adaptation: Replacing a cultural element with one that is more familiar to the target culture.
Example:
-Fourth of July (U.S. Independence Day)
-Fiestas Patrias (Panama))

If the goal is cultural adaptation, the translator may refer to the local equivalent holiday to maintain relevance.

5. Compensation: Making up for a lost effect or meaning in one part of the text by adding it in another.
Example:
- I told my wife she was drawing her eyebrows too high. She looked surprised.

-Le dije a mi esposa que se estaba maquillando las cejas muy arriba… y me miró como si hubiera visto el recibo de la luz.

Why is it compensation?
Because the humorous effect is lost in the literal translation, but it is recovered elsewhere in the text or through a different expression, adapted to the cultural reality of the target audience (in this case, Latin America).

The translator compensates by adding information.

PD: According to Vinay and Darbelnet (1958), and Delisle (1993):
Compensation is used when an unavoidable loss in one segment must be balanced in another part of the text in order to maintain the overall effect.

6. Expansion: Adding more information in the translation to clarify meaning.
Example:
-She left.
-Ella se fue de la casa sin decir una palabra.

The Spanish version needs clarification to make sense to the reader.

7. Reduction: Omitting redundant or non-essential information that doesn’t affect the meaning.
Example:
-He answered her question with a smile on his face.
-Respondió sonriendo.

answered her question → translated simply as respondió

with a smile on his face → reduced to sonriendo

8. Addition: Inserting extra information not found in the source text to make the translation clearer or more natural.
Example:

-Thanks.
-Muchas gracias por tu ayuda.

Common indirect translation techniques:

• Transposition technique: involves changing the grammatical structure of a sentence while preserving its meaning. It's a technique used to adapt to differences in sentence structure between languages, often involving shifts in word order or the grammatical category of words. 

Examples in English to Spanish Translation:

1. Adverb to Verb:

   • English: "He will soon be back."

   • Spanish: "No tardará en venir."

     Here, the English adverb "soon" is transposed into the Spanish verb "tardará" (will delay). 
     

• Modulation technique: refers to a technique where the expression of an idea is changed while maintaining the same meaning. It involves altering the point of view or perspective in the target text to make it sound more natural or idiomatic, without changing the core message.

Examples:

• English: "It's raining cats and dogs."

• Spanish: "Está lloviendo a cántaros." (literally "It's raining buckets") 

  
  

  Explanation: The English expression uses a vivid image of animals falling from the sky, while the Spanish uses a different, equally vivid image of buckets of rain. The core idea of heavy rain is preserved. 

• Equivalence technique: refers to the technique of finding a corresponding expression in the target language that conveys the same meaning, tone, and intent as the source language, even if the words and structure are different.

Examples:

English: "Break a leg." (Good luck)

Spanish: "Mucha suerte." (Good luck) 

• Adaptation technique: refer to strategies used to modify or adjust something, whether it's a text, a concept, or a biological trait, to better fit a new context or situation.

Examples:

Cultural Reference Adaptation

English: He’s as American as apple pie.
Spanish Adaptation: Es tan mexicano como los tacos.

(using the adaptation technique you can replace the cultural symbol "apple pie" with a culturally relevant food item.)

TV Show or Movie Title Adaptation

English Title: Home Alone
Spanish Adaptation: Mi Pobre Angelito

(Completely adapted to evoke emotion and attract the audience, not a literal translation.)

• Omission technique: refers to the deliberate exclusion of a word, phrase, or even larger text segment from the source text when creating the translated version. This technique is employed to enhance clarity, naturalness, or cultural appropriateness in the target language, but should be used judiciously to avoid losing important meaning. 

Examples:

Redundant Information

English: He nodded his head in agreement.

Spanish Translation (with omission):
Asintió.

Explanation: The phrase "his head" is unnecessary in Spanish; asentir already implies the action.

Repetitive Descriptions

English: The small little kitten meowed softly.
Spanish: El gatito maulló suavemente.

Explanation: “Small little” is redundant and omitted.

• Addition Technique: refers to the technique of adding elements to the target text that are not explicitly present in the source text, to clarify meaning, improve fluency, or account for cultural differences.

Examples:

Clarifying Cultural Concepts

English: He was drinking sake.
Spanish: Estaba bebiendo sake, una bebida alcohólica japonesa hecha de arroz.

Explanation: "Una bebida alcohólica japonesa hecha de arroz" is added for readers unfamiliar with sake.

Expanding Idioms or Expressions

English: It’s raining cats and dogs.
Spanish: Está lloviendo a cántaros, o sea, muy fuerte.

Explanation: The phrase “o sea, muy fuerte” is added to explain the idiom for clarity.

Indirect translation techniques, also known as oblique or non-literal translation techniques, are used when a direct, word-for-word translation is not suitable because it would not convey the original meaning accurately or naturally in the target language. These techniques involve altering the grammatical structure, phrasing, or even the cultural context to ensure the translation is clear and understandable. 

Here's a breakdown of common indirect translation techniques with examples:

1. Transposition:

This involves changing the grammatical structure of the sentence without altering the meaning.

Example: 

English: He is a good swimmer.

Spanish: Nada bien.

("Swimmer" -  verb "Nada")

2. Modulation:

This technique involves changing the point of view or semantic perspective to convey the same meaning.

Example: 

English: I’ll be back in a moment.

Spanish: No tardo nada.

("Be back" becomes "won’t take long" – different angle)

3. Equivalence/Reformulation:

This technique is used when a phrase, idiom, or proverb in the source language has no direct equivalent in the target language. The translator needs to find a phrase in the target language that conveys the same meaning or effect.

Example: 

English: It’s a piece of cake.

Spanish: Está chupado.

(Different words, same meaning: "very easy")

4. Adaptation:

This is used when a concept or situation in the source culture is unknown or unfamiliar in the target culture. The translator needs to replace it with something culturally equivalent in the target language.

Example: 

English: He plays baseball every weekend.

Spanish: Juega fútbol todos los fines de semana.

(Cultural shift: baseball - fútbol)

5. Compensation:

This technique involves making up for a loss of meaning or effect in one part of the text by adding something elsewhere in the translation.

Example: 

English: She whispered the secret softly.

Spanish: Le contó el secreto, pero en voz muy baja.

(The manner "softly" is added differently to preserve the tone)

Indirect Translation Techniques: Definitions and Examples

1. Transposition

Definition: Replacing one part of speech with another without changing the meaning of the sentence.
Example:

• SL: She is good at singing.

• TL: Ella canta bien.
  (An adjective + preposition becomes a verb + adverb.)

2. Modulation

Definition: Changing the point of view, focus, or cognitive category of the message.
Example:

• SL: It’s not difficult to understand.

• TL: Es fácil de entender.
  (Negation changes to a positive equivalent.)

3. Equivalence

Definition: Using a completely different expression that conveys the same meaning and cultural impact.
Example:

• SL: It’s raining cats and dogs.

• TL: Está lloviendo a cántaros.

  (Both express heavy rain, using culturally appropriate idioms)

4. Adaptation

Definition: Adjusting a cultural reference in the source text to one that is more familiar to the target audience.
Example:

• SL: Baseball (used in a story setting).

• TL (Spanish-speaking country): Fútbol.
  (Replacing a U.S. cultural sport with a more culturally relevant one.)

5. Compensation

Definition: Introducing a translation technique elsewhere in the text when it’s not possible to do it in the same place.
Example:

• SL (English pun): He had a grave look at the cemetery.

• TL (Spanish): En el cementerio, su mirada era seria y profunda.
  (Pun is lost but seriousness is compensated elsewhere).

For example: Blue ball

Pelota azul

2.Modulation: This technique uses a different phrase in the target language to convey the same meaning as the source text.

Example: It is not difficult to understand

Es fácil de entender

3.Reformulation/Equivalence: This involves finding a completely different expression in the target language that conveys the same meaning as the source text, often used for idioms, proverbs, or advertising slogans.

Example: It is raining cats and dogs

Llueve a cántaros

4.Adaptation: This technique is used when cultural references or situations in the source text don't exist in the target culture.

Example: Sincerely yours

Atentamente

5.Compensation: This technique is used when meaning or effect is lost in translation, and the translator compensates for it elsewhere in the text.

Example: You

Usted/tú

6.Reduction: This technique involves shortening or condensing the text while preserving the core meaning, often used to improve readability or fit within character limits. 

Example: Taking time

Deciding

Indirect translation techniques, also known as oblique or non-literal translation, are used when the structural or conceptual elements of the SL cannot be directly translated without altering meaning or upsetting the grammatical and stylistics elements of the TL.

Oblique translation techniques include:

1. Transposition

   It is a sense a shift of word class. Grammatical structures are often different in different languages. Transposition is often used between English and Spanish because of the preferred position of the verb in the sentence.

   Example: She likes swimming.

2. Modulation

   Consists of using a phrase that is different in the source language and target languages to convey the same idea. It changes the semantics and shifts the point of view of the SL. Through modulation the translator generates a change in the point of view of the message without altering meaning and without generating a sense of awkwardness in the reader of the target text.

   Example: Eye doctor : oftalmólogo

3. Reformulation or Equivalence

   Similar to modulation, this allows you to preserve the meaning of an expression, name, proverb, advertising slogans by finding a TL equivalent. The process is creative, but not always ease.

   Example: "The early bird catches the worm" - A quien madruga, Dios lo ayuda. 

4. Adaptation

   Also known as cultural substitution, cultural elements of the SL are replaced with an equivalent cultural element of the TL. This makes the text more familiar and easier to understand, especially with units of measurement.

   Example: Friday 13th : Viernes 13

5. Explicitness

   This means that we express in the TL something that is implicit in the context of the SL, or that we introduce details that are not expressed in the SL, such as more information, translator's notes, or explicative paraphrasing.

   Example: MSOE "Milwaukee School of Engineering"

6. Addition

   It is commonly used by translators when they add more words into the target message in order to make it clearer.

   Example: Native of Chiriquí: Chiricano

7. Omission

   It is employed when a translator considers that is necessary to omit redundancy or repetition with the purpose to make the target text clearer for the reader.

   Example: La gente : people

   
   

Indirect translation techniques

Indirect translation techniques are used when the two languages and cultures are further apart. These techniques change structural and conceptual elements in order to preserve the meaning and nuance of the text.

1. Transposition: Transposition involves a shift from one grammatical category to another, while still preserving the meaning.

   Example: Adjective to Noun:

   "The Mexican border" "La frontera con México"

2. Modulation

   This involves a change of perspective, adjusting what has been written in order to express the same idea and preserve the meaning.

   Example: Changing the level of formality:

   • English: "I'm gonna go to lunch."

   • Spanish: "Me voy a comer."

3. Equivalence

   Similar to modulation, this allows you to preserve the meaning of an expression, name or proverb by finding a target language equivalent.

   Example: Figurative Language:

   • English: "The elephant in the room"

   • Spanish: "El elefante en la habitación"

4. Adaptation

   Also known as cultural substitution, cultural elements of the source language are replaced with an equivalent cultural element of the target language.

   Example: Film/book adaptation:

   "The film adaptation was not as good as the book." - "La adaptación cinematográfica no es tan buena como el libro." 

5. Compensation

   This technique compensates for being unable to translate a nuance or phrase in one specific place by expressing the information at another point in the document.

   Example: English: "His compensation package includes a salary and benefits."

   Spanish: "Su paquete de remuneración incluye salario y beneficios." 

6. Reduction

   When using reduction, the translator chooses to remove any words forming the original text which are considered redundant in the target language. 

   Example:

   English:I love to listen English music.

   Spanish: Amo escuchar música en Inglés .

7. Expansion

   The opposite of reduction, this is when words are added in order to preserve meaning. This can be due to differences in sentence structure, grammar or terminology.

   Example: English: "I'm fine."

   Spanish : "Estoy bien, gracias."

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

• Modulation

  • Changing the way the idea is expressed.

  • Example: "It’s not difficult" → Es fácil (It’s easy).

  • English: She has a long face. (idiom for "She looks sad")
    Spanish: Ella está triste.Change from metaphorical to direct meaning.

  • English: The book is too long to read.
    Spanish: El libro es muy largo para leerlo.
    → Keeps the meaning, but the structure and emphasis shift slightly.

• Transposition

  • Changing the grammar or part of speech.

  • Example: "After his arrival" → Después de que llegó (Changed a noun to a verb).

  • English: The construction of the house took months.
    Spanish: Construir la casa tomó meses.
    → Changed noun (construction) to verb (construir = "to build").

• Adaptation

  • Replacing something that doesn’t exist in the target culture with something similar.

  • Example: "He plays baseball" → Él juega fútbol (in a culture where baseball is not common).

• Equivalence

  • Using a different phrase that has the same meaning or effect.

  • Example: "Once in a blue moon" De uvas a peras (Spanish expression meaning "rarely").

• Reduction and Expansion

  • Making a sentence shorter (reduction) or adding information (expansion) to help understanding.

    English: They made a decision to leave.
    Spanish: Decidieron irse.
    The phrase "made a decision to" is reduced to the verb decidieron ("they decided").

    English: He stood up from his seat.
    Spanish: Se levantó.
    "From his seat" is understood and can be omitted.

  • English: They were evacuated.
    Spanish: Las autoridades evacuaron a los residentes por motivos de seguridad.
    → Added who evacuated them, why, and who was involved.

  • English: I had sushi.
    Spanish: Comí sushi, un plato típico japonés hecho de arroz y pescado crudo.
    Cultural context is added for clarity.

    Compensation is an indirect translation technique used when something (like a meaning, style, or cultural effect) cannot be translated in the same place or form, so the translator adds or recreates it in another part of the text to keep the overall impact.

  • English: She had a "grave" look—maybe because she worked at a cemetery.

  • Spanish: Tenía una expresión seria, como si pensara en tumbas todo el día.
    The pun on "grave" (serious / burial place) can’t be translated directly, so a reference to “tumbas” (graves) is added in another way.

1. Transposition:

   • Definition: Changing the part of speech of one or more words while maintaining the meaning.

   • Example:

     • SL: He successfully passed the exam.

     • TL: Aprobó el examen con éxito.

2. Modulation:

   • Definition: Altering the form of the message by changing the perspective or point of view.

   • Example:

     • SL: It is not difficult to understand.

     • TL: Es fácil de entender.

3. Equivalence:

   • Definition: Replacing a phrase or idiom in the source language with an equivalent phrase or idiom in the target language that conveys the same meaning, even if it's lexically and structurally different.

   • Example:

     • SL: It's raining cats and dogs.

     • TL: Está lloviendo a cántaros.

4. Addition:

   • Definition: Adding words or phrases to the target text that are not present in the source text but are necessary for clarity, grammatical correctness, or naturalness in the target language.

   • Example:

     • SL: The question I want to ask is...

     • TL: La pregunta que quiero hacer es...

5. Reduction:

   • Definition: Omitting words or phrases from the source text that are redundant or grammatically unnecessary in the target language while retaining the core meaning.

   • Example:

     • SL: She's a doctor.

     • TL: Ella es médica.

These techniques allow for flexibility and cultural adaptation, ensuring that the translated message resonates effectively with the target audience, going beyond mere word-for-word conversion to truly convey meaning and intent.

These techniques are used when direct translation is not possible due to grammar or cultural differences. They help keep the original meaning, tone, and natural flow.

1. Transposition

Definition: Changing the grammatical category (noun, verb, adverb, etc.) without changing the meaning.

Example:

Spanish: Lo dijo con sinceridad.

English: He spoke sincerely.

(“Sinceridad” is a noun; “sincerely” is an adverb.)

2. Modulation

Definition: Changing the point of view or the way of expressing something, but keeping the meaning.

Example:

Spanish: Es difícil de creer.

English: It’s hard to believe.

3. Equivalence

Definition: Using a different phrase or idiom in the target language that means the same thing. Often used for sayings or fixed expressions.

Example:

Spanish: Más vale tarde que nunca.

English: Better late than never.

4. Adaptation

Definition: Replacing a cultural reference with one that is more familiar to the target audience.

Example:

Spanish: Juega como en la Copa América.

English (USA): He plays like in the Super Bowl.

5. Compensation

Definition: When something (like a pun, emotion, or tone) is lost in one part of the text, it is added somewhere else to keep the same overall effect.

Example:

—¿Vienes a la fiesta?

—Ni loco.

(Literal: "Not even crazy.")

English:

—Are you coming to the party?

—No way. Not a chance.