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English to Greek translation from skilled, certified and experienced native translators in multiple domains including medical, legal and finance sectors. Find Greek Translation WFH freelancers on April 21, 2025 who work remotely. Read less
Native Greek translators translating into English employ a variety of strategies to ensure accuracy, cultural relevance, and natural flow. Here are some key approaches with detailed examples:
1. Vocabulary and Lexical Choice
Direct Translation: When possible, Greek words that have direct English equivalents are translated straightforwardly.
Example:
Greek: "Βιβλίο" (Vivlío)
English: "Book"
Cultural Nuances: Words or phrases with cultural significance might require explanation or adaptation.
Example:
Greek: "Πάσχα" (Páscha)
English: "Easter" (but might require context if explaining traditional Greek Easter practices)
False Friends: Words that look similar but have different meanings need careful translation.
Example:
Greek: "Σύνολο" (Sýnolo) - meaning "total" or "sum"
English: Not to be confused with "ensemble" in terms of clothing or music.
2. Grammar and Syntax
Word Order: Greek often follows a Subject-Verb-Object order like English, but it's more flexible. Translators might need to rearrange sentences for natural English flow.
Example:
Greek: "Το βιβλίο διαβάζει η Μαρία." (The book reads Maria.)
English: "Maria reads the book."
Verb Conjugation: Greek verbs conjugate for person, number, tense, mood, and voice. English lacks this complexity, so translators must convey these nuances correctly.
Example:
Greek: "Είχα διαβάσει το βιβλίο." (I had read the book. - past perfect)
English: "I had read the book."
Articles and Gender: Greek nouns have gender (masculine, feminine, neuter), which affects articles and adjectives. English mostly ignores gender for nouns.
Example:
Greek: "Ο μεγάλος άνθρωπος." (The big man - masculine)
English: "The big man."
3. Idiomatic Expressions and Proverbs
Idioms: Greek idioms often don't have direct English equivalents, requiring translators to find cultural or linguistic parallels.
Example:
Greek: "Η γάτα στο σακί" (The cat in the sack) - meaning something hidden or unknown.
English: "A pig in a poke" or "The cat's away, the mice will play" for different contexts.
Proverbs: Translating proverbs involves capturing the essence rather than the literal meaning.
Example:
Greek: "Κάθε λιοντάρι έχει τη μέρα του." (Every lion has its day.)
English: "Every dog has its day."
4. Formality and Politeness
Formal vs. Informal: Greek distinguishes between formal and informal address, which English does less explicitly.
Example:
Greek: "Μπορείτε να μου βοηθήσετε;" (Can you help me? - formal)
English: "Can you help me?" (No formal/informal distinction in this context, but tone can imply formality)
5. Cultural References
Historical and Cultural Context: Greek culture has a rich history influencing language use, requiring contextual explanations.
Example:
Greek: "Η Παναγία" (The Virgin Mary) in a context of Greek Orthodox tradition.
English: "The Virgin Mary" might need additional context in non-Orthodox settings.
6. Technical and Specialized Translation
Technical Terms: In fields like medicine, law, or technology, Greek terms might be transliterated or directly translated with explanations.
Example:
Greek: "Καρκίνος του πνεύμονα" (Cancer of the lung)
English: "Lung cancer"
7. Adapting Humor and Sarcasm
Tone and Nuance: Greek humor might not translate directly due to cultural differences, requiring adaptation.
Example:
Greek: "Έχεις γίνει ψάρι!" (You've become a fish! - meaning you're very clever or slippery)
English: Might be translated as "You're as slippery as an eel!" for similar effect.
8. Use of Translation Tools
CAT Tools and Dictionaries: While tools can provide a starting point, Greek translators often adjust for accuracy and cultural fit.
9. Translation Techniques
Literal vs. Free Translation: Balancing between literal translation for legal documents and more free translation for literature or idiomatic expressions.
Back Translation: Sometimes, translators might back-translate to check the accuracy of their work.
Examples of Sentences
Simple Sentence:
Greek: "Η Μαρία πηγαίνει στο σχολείο." (Maria goes to school.)
English: "Maria goes to school."
Complex Sentence:
Greek: "Αν βρέξει αύριο, θα πρέπει να ακυρώσουμε το πικ-νικ." (If it rains tomorrow, we will have to cancel the picnic.)
English: "If it rains tomorrow, we'll have to cancel the picnic."
Idiomatic Expression:
Greek: "Τα μάτια σου δεκατέσσερα!" (Your eyes are fourteen! - meaning you're very observant)
English: "You have eyes like a hawk!"
Translating from Greek to English involves not just linguistic transformation but also cultural adaptation to ensure the translation resonates with English-speaking audiences while preserving the intended meaning and tone of the original text.
Here are some common Greek expressions, idioms, and phrases translated into English, showcasing how Greek cultural nuances are conveyed:
Greetings and Common Phrases
Greek: "Καλημέρα!" (Kaliméra!)
English: "Good morning!"
Greek: "Τι κάνεις;" (Ti kánis?)
English: "How are you?" (informal)
Greek: "Πάμε για καφέ;" (Páme gia kafé?)
English: "Shall we go for coffee?"
Idiomatic Expressions
Greek: "Μου κόλλησε το μάτι" (Mou kóllise to máti)
English: "I caught my eye on something" (meaning to notice something interesting or attractive)
Greek: "Βάζω πλάτη" (Vázo pláti)
English: "I'm putting my back into it" (meaning to work hard or support someone)
Greek: "Το πήρε το αυτί μου" (To píre to aftí mou)
English: "It went in one ear and out the other" (used when someone didn't pay attention or forgot what was said)
Proverbs
Greek: "Όποιος δεν ρισκάρει, δεν κερδίζει." (Ópios den riskárei, den kerdízei.)
English: "He who does not risk, does not gain."
Greek: "Το μέλι των άλλων είναι πιο γλυκό." (To méli ton állon íne pio glykó.)
English: "The grass is always greener on the other side."
Greek: "Μην πουλάς το τομάρι σου πριν σκοτώσεις την αρκούδα." (Min poulás to tomári sou prin skotóseis tin arkoúda.)
English: "Don't sell the bear's skin before you've killed it." (Don't count your chickens before they hatch.)
Expressions of Emotion or Surprise
Greek: "Πάει το καλό!" (Páei to kaló!)
English: "Well, that's the end of that!" or "That's it!"
Greek: "Μου έπεσε ο ουρανός στο κεφάλι." (Mou épeso o ouranós sto kefáli.)
English: "The sky fell on my head." (meaning to be shocked or overwhelmed)
Cultural or Everyday Phrases
Greek: "Τρώμε ψωμί στον ίσκιο." (Tróme psomí ston ískio.)
English: "We eat bread in the shade." (meaning to live comfortably or have an easy life)
Greek: "Η γάτα στο σακί." (I gáta sto sakí.)
English: "The cat in the bag." (something hidden or unknown; similar to "a pig in a poke")
Greek: "Χίλια συγγνώμη." (Chília sygnómi.)
English: "A thousand apologies." (emphasizing deep regret)
Humor or Sarcasm
Greek: "Χτύπα ξύλο!" (Htypa ksýlo!)
English: "Knock on wood!" (to avoid jinxing oneself)
Greek: "Τα λέμε στην κουζίνα." (Ta léme stin kouzína.)
English: "We'll talk in the kitchen." (implying a private, possibly gossipy conversation)
These translations strive to convey not only the literal meaning but also the cultural context and emotional tone of the Greek expressions. However, due to the rich cultural background of Greek idioms, some translations might need additional explanation or adaptation for full cultural resonance in English.
