ALTA Competency Exam (CALT) key terms

The original document or utterance that a translator reads and renders into another language. Its meaning, structure, and purpose set the boundaries for the translation task.

The finished translation produced in the receiving language. It should carry the source content accurately while following the grammar, style, and conventions of that language.

A category of writing defined by its purpose and conventions, such as a contract, medical report, or press release. Recognising the category guides choices about tone, layout, and terminology.

A document on a similar topic written originally in the target language and used as a model for terminology, phrasing, and format. It helps the translator sound native rather than translated.

The stretch of source text treated as one decision-making whole, ranging from a single word to a whole paragraph. Choosing the right size prevents word-for-word distortion.

The relationship between source and target segments that convey the same meaning and function even when the wording differs. It is judged at the level of sense, not word count.

Rendering each word or structure with its closest counterpart in the other language. It works for simple factual text but can produce unnatural or misleading results when idiom or syntax differs.

A transfer strategy that reshapes content to fit the target reader's culture or purpose, sometimes departing noticeably from the source wording. Common in marketing, humour, and culturally bound references.

Rewriting creative or promotional content freely so it triggers the same response in the new audience rather than preserving its wording. The brief and brand intent matter more than literal correspondence.

Making implicit information in the source explicit in the translation, for instance by naming a referent or adding a connector. It aids comprehension but can overstep if it adds meaning the author did not intend.

Leaving out a source element in the translation. It is acceptable only for redundancy or untranslatable material agreed with the client; an accidental omission is an accuracy error.

Making up for a lost effect, such as wordplay or a dialect marker, by creating a similar effect elsewhere in the target text. It preserves overall impact when direct matching is impossible.

Faithfulness of the translation to the source's meaning, intent, and factual content. It is weighed against readability and the agreed purpose of the assignment.

The purpose or intended function a translation is meant to serve in the target setting. It guides decisions when the client needs something other than a close rendering.

The way sentences are linked through pronouns, connectors, and repeated references so a text reads as one piece. Target-language linking devices often differ from the source's.

The quality of sounding like natural writing produced by a native speaker rather than a translation. It covers word choice, rhythm, and phrasing conventions of the target language.

A set of written rules from the client or publisher covering spelling, capitalization, terminology, and formatting. Following it keeps a document consistent with the organisation's other materials.

The level of formality and the social tone a text uses, shaped by audience and situation. Matching it matters as much as matching literal meaning.

A structured database of approved terms with definitions, translations, and usage notes for a client or subject field. It supports consistent terminology across a project and among translators.

A word in two languages that looks or sounds alike but carries a different meaning, often because a shared root shifted sense over time. Trusting the resemblance produces a mistranslation.

A literal translation of a compound or phrase borrowed from the source language, producing an expression that is understandable but foreign-sounding. Overuse signals translationese.

The habitual pairing of words in a language, such as a verb and its usual object. Wrong pairings sound unnatural even when every word is individually correct.

Adapting a product or text for a specific market, covering language plus formats, units, dates, images, and cultural references. It goes beyond translation to make the item feel locally made.

The emotional or evaluative associations a word carries beyond its literal meaning. Ignoring them can shift the tone of a text or cause offence.

The standard system for writing a language, including spelling, accents, and permissible letter combinations. Target-language spelling must follow currently accepted norms.

Marks added to letters, such as accents, umlauts, or vowel points, that change pronunciation or meaning. Omitting them can turn a correct word into a different one.

Leakage of the source language's grammar, word order, or idiom into the translation. It is the most common cause of text that is accurate but reads as foreign.

The target language's rules for commas, quotation marks, dashes, and spacing, which often differ from the source's. Correct punctuation is part of professional presentation.

Language-specific conventions for writing figures, decimals, currencies, and dates. Converting them incorrectly can change a contract's value or a deadline.

The duty not to disclose client documents or personal data to anyone outside the assignment. It covers storage, email, and machine translation tools as well as conversation.

A situation where a personal, financial, or family interest could bias the translator's work, such as translating for a relative in a legal case. It must be disclosed or the job declined.

The combination of language proficiency, subject knowledge, and skill an assignment requires. A translator should accept only work within that range and refer the rest to a qualified colleague.

A careful comparison of the translation with the source to find meaning errors, omissions, and terminology problems, followed by correction. It is a distinct step from proofreading.

A final check of the target text alone for spelling, grammar, punctuation, and formatting slips. It assumes meaning accuracy has already been confirmed during revision.

The planned checks a translator or company applies to catch defects before delivery, including automated term and format checks plus human review.

Software that stores previously translated segments and offers them again when similar text appears. It speeds work and enforces consistency but can propagate old errors.