How Can I Help My Translator?

When one is corresponding to a person from another country through a Russian translator, the following rules can help to achieve better understanding between the two interlocutors.

Stay “faithful”

At first it might sound strange, but it’s true. If you want your pen pal to understand you better you should be faithful to your translator. Each Russian translator (as each one of us) has his/her own manner or style of written speech. That is why when you change your translator, your pen pals will tell you that your letters have become different which might have effect on your personal correspondence. They might even think there was some shift in your relationship or your attitude to them. And it is often not the translator's fault, but just the little differences in speech which you will notice in your partner's letters translated into English too. Therefore it’s advisable to stay with the same Russian translator for as long as your efficient cooperation lets you do that.

Moreover if your translator knows your personal correspondence, or your so-called letter “history”, it’s very helpful in translating new letters from you. So when you mention something you were talking about in your previous letters, it will present no difficulty to your old translator, while it might be a problem for a new one to understand as to what you’re referring to.

Spell check your letters

Spell check engines of various languages are integrated in most word processors and emailing services now making it easier to write more properly. While some of the mistakes in English cannot be traced with the help of a spell check, it’s necessary to reread your letter before sending it. Typing errors or other mistakes in English may distort or even change the meaning of a sentence in a funny or sometimes not-so-funny ways, e.g.:

  • I like looking at the MOOD. (instead of MOON)
  • I’d be LEASED to meet you in person. (instead of PLEASED)
  • Tell me how you imagine OUR future life in a foreign country. (instead of YOUR)
  • I can HARDY stand this cold weather. (instead of HARDLY)

Thus when you send a letter in English for a translation it helps a great deal if you do a spell check and read your letter one more time to make sure there are less spelling mistakes in it.

Instruct your translator!

Our translation experience shows that direct communication with the translator of your letters is sometimes essential. Giving advice or guidance to your Russian translator doesn’t mean being too fastidious or hard-to-please. And our translators understand it. It helps to establish a general tone of your letters that will reveal your attitude to the reader. It can prevent you and your interlocutor from misunderstanding or detachment caused by something that has been said wrong, but not meant that way. So, feel free to explain your concerns or preferences to your Russian translator.