While those working in the translation industry understand the importance of their role in today’s increasingly interconnected world, the field remains woefully unrecognized in the professional sphere. Even as the need for translation expands in every area – literary, technical, commercial, etc. – the perceived importance of the profession has not grown accordingly, contributing to what is often labeled “the invisibility of the translator.” Despite the crucial role translators play in society, they remain invisible, underrepresented and underappreciated by the population that benefits from their work.
Many prominent translators and authors have remarked on this topic. Most prominently, perhaps, is the work of Lawrence Venuti, The Translator’s Invisibility. While the book primarily discusses translation theory and is debated even within the translation world, it nevertheless offers several pertinent arguments; notably, the idea that the better the translation, the more invisible the translator, as an audience will typically only notice the faults in a translated text. This situation is quite atypical, for in most professions, those who produce the best work receive the most recognition.
Expounding on Venuti’s theory, an interesting thesis written in 2005 by Wendy Leech compares the perception of translation by the general public, by language students, and by translators themselves. It demonstrates a marked lack of interest and knowledge concerning the profession among the public and a certain frustration within the translation community. Ms. Leech provides a number of possible reasons for the disproportionately low status of translators in society, such as both the under- and misrepresentation of the profession, the physical isolation of translators, and the lack of understanding concerning the importance of good translations. She then presents a variety of potential solutions to these problems, including proper promotion and education on the subject of translation studies.
As translators, we understand the importance of the profession. We are certainly aware of the dangers of a bad translation; mistakes can lead to offended customers in marketing and even safety hazards in construction and engineering. In addition to possessing native or near-native fluency in both the source and the target languages, a translator often must have a thorough understanding of a specific industry; together, these requirements limit the number of skilled translators on the market. This is perhaps the primary source of frustration for those translators who are highly qualified yet underappreciated, for the perception of their work as “simple” is still prevalent, despite the reality of the job.
The field of translation will undoubtedly continue to grow; it is our hope that as this occurs, the profession will gain increasing recognition in society. As a translator, how do you feel your work is perceived? What are some of the common reactions when you tell a new acquaintance your profession? We’d love to read your thoughts in the comments!
