Short intro into the dos and don'ts of translating

1. The Art of Translating If you've never heard of a word/aren't sure ... ... look it up in the dictionary! … decide which entry in the dictionary fits: - verb/noun?, formal/informal, BrE /AmE? - do example and usage/context/construction fit the usage in the text?

2. If you think you have an agreeable German version of a sentence ... … check/question how good it is: - have I left out any word /aspect of meaning ? e.g. was far more regimented War stärker reglementiert? War viel stärker reglementiert! - have I shifted/changed an aspect of meaning ? F or one thing … Possible translations: Erstens (später: zweitens = Aufzählung?  Vorlage: but ) Z um einen (später: zum anderen = Kontrast!  Vorlage: but )

3. Try not to simply accept the first translation or version that comes to your mind. 'Experiment' and make your translation sound - c onvincing ( register, situation, type of text ) - c onsistent (tense, person, connection between sentences, logical structure) - c orrect (tense, spelling) Don't lose anything, but don't add things that weren't there in the original either!