translation

/trænzˈleɪʃɪn/

/trɑnzˈleɪʃən/

Other forms: translations

"C'est un dictionnaire en ligne." Don't understand? Here's a translation for you: "This is an online dictionary." A translation is the written or verbal rewording of something from one language into another that keeps the same meaning.

A translation doesn't have to be strictly from one language to another; it can be a rewording that makes something easier to understand or less technical in nature, as suggested by the common phrase, "Can you translate that into plain English?" If what is translated takes a written form, as in a book, for example, then the object itself is called a translation.

Definitions of translation

1. noun

   a written communication in a second language having the same meaning as the written communication in a first language
   synonyms: interlingual rendition, rendering, version

   types:

   mistranslation

   an incorrect translation

   crib, pony, trot

   a literal translation used in studying a foreign language (often used illicitly)

   retroversion

   translation back into the original language

   caption, subtitle

   translation of foreign dialogue of a movie or TV program; usually displayed at the bottom of the screen

   supertitle, surtitle

   translation of the words of a foreign opera (or choral work) projected on a screen above the stage

   type of:

   written account, written record

   a written document preserving knowledge of facts or events
2. noun

   rewording something in less technical terminology
   type of:

   paraphrase, paraphrasis

   rewording for the purpose of clarification
3. noun

   the act of changing in form or shape or appearance
   “a photograph is a translation of a scene onto a two-dimensional surface”

   synonyms: transformation

   types:

   permutation

   complete change in character or condition

   alteration, revision

   the act of revising or altering (involving reconsideration and modification)

   transfiguration

   the act of transforming so as to exalt or glorify

   transmogrification

   the act of changing into a different form or appearance (especially a fantastic or grotesque one)

   metamorphosis

   a complete change of physical form or substance especially as by magic or witchcraft

   distraction, misdirection

   the act of distracting; drawing someone's attention away from something

   modulation

   the act of modifying or adjusting according to due measure and proportion (as with regard to artistic effect)

   qualification

   the act of modifying or changing the strength of some idea

   reorganisation, reorganization

   an extensive alteration of the structure of a corporation or government

   metamorphosis, transfiguration

   a striking change in appearance or character or circumstances

   type of:

   change of integrity

   the act of changing the unity or wholeness of something
4. noun

   a uniform movement without rotation
   types:

   displacement, shift

   an event in which something is displaced without rotation

   amplitude

   (physics) the maximum displacement of a periodic wave

   luxation

   displacement or misalignment of a joint or organ

   type of:

   change of location, travel

   a movement through space that changes the location of something
5. noun

   the act of uniform movement
   synonyms: displacement

   type of:

   motion, move, movement

   the act of changing location from one place to another
6. noun

   (mathematics) a transformation in which the origin of the coordinate system is moved to another position but the direction of each axis remains the same
   type of:

   transformation

   (mathematics) a function that changes the position or direction of the axes of a coordinate system
7. noun

   (genetics) the process whereby genetic information coded in messenger RNA directs the formation of a specific protein at a ribosome in the cytoplasm
   type of:

   biological process, organic process

   a process occurring in living organisms