EPSO Translator key terms

The language of the original text that a translator reads and works from. In EPSO translation tests it is usually English, French or German, and comprehension is tested separately from production.

The language into which a translator renders a text. For EPSO translator competitions this is normally the candidate's main language, and accuracy, register and idiom in it are the main scoring criteria.

The complete passage given to be translated. Before drafting, a candidate should read it fully to identify its topic, argument structure, key terminology and any internal references that must stay consistent.

The translated passage produced by the candidate. It must read naturally in the target language while preserving the meaning, tone and structure of the source text.

The degree to which a translation conveys the full meaning of the source without adding, omitting or distorting information. It is assessed alongside naturalness, not as an alternative to it.

Correctness of meaning transfer, including numbers, names, negation, modality and logical links. A single mistranslated negation or figure can make a whole sentence wrong in an assessed translation.

The level of formality and stylistic variety appropriate to a text's purpose and audience, such as legal, administrative, journalistic or technical. Choosing the wrong register makes an otherwise correct translation sound foreign.

A habitual word partnership that native speakers expect, such as 'adopt a regulation' rather than 'take a regulation'. Wrong collocations are a common marker of non-native production in translation tests.

A fixed expression whose meaning cannot be derived from its individual words, such as 'to table a proposal'. It should normally be replaced by an equivalent expression in the target language, not translated literally.

A word that looks similar in two languages but differs in meaning, such as 'actual' in English versus 'actuel' in French. Spotting these prevents subtle but serious meaning errors.

A literal loan translation that copies the structure of the source language, producing an unnatural target expression. Avoiding calques is central to writing idiomatic target-language prose.

Rendering text word for word or structure for structure with little adaptation. It can be useful for terminology checks but usually produces awkward or unclear target text when used throughout.

A translation technique that changes the grammatical category of a word or phrase, for example turning a noun into a verb. It helps the target text follow natural target-language patterns.

A translation technique that changes the point of view or conceptual framing while keeping the same meaning, such as expressing a negative in the source as a positive in the target.

Leaving out information present in the source text. In an assessed translation, unintentional omission of a clause, figure or qualifier counts as an accuracy error even if the sentence still reads well.

Inserting information not present in the source text, whether an explanation, a connector or a qualifier. Deliberate additions must be justified; otherwise they distort the source and are penalised.

The way sentences are linked through connectors, pronouns, repetition and reference so the text holds together. A translation can be accurate sentence by sentence yet fail if cohesion is broken.

The logical consistency of a text's ideas and argument, independent of surface linking words. Translators must preserve the reasoning order of the source even when restructuring sentences.

A word or phrase signalling a logical relation such as cause, contrast, concession or consequence. Choosing the right connector is essential because a wrong one reverses or weakens the argument.

The expression of obligation, possibility, permission or certainty through verbs and adverbs such as 'shall', 'may', 'should' or 'must'. Shifting modality changes legal effect and is a frequent scoring error.

The expression of denial or absence, often through 'not', 'no', 'never' or prefixes. Negation must be transferred exactly, including its scope, since misplaced negation can invert the meaning of a clause.

The specialised vocabulary of a subject field, such as EU institutional or legal terms. Consistent use of the correct equivalent throughout a text is expected in professional and assessed translation.

A structured collection of approved terms with their equivalents, definitions and usage notes. In EPSO preparation it stands for the habit of checking institutional terminology rather than guessing.

A word formed from initial letters, such as a policy or body name. Acronyms should be expanded on first use when the target audience may not know them, and their official equivalent must be checked.

The name of a specific person, place, institution or instrument. Names are generally kept unchanged, but their official translated form, spelling and capitalisation should be verified where one exists.

The intended purpose or function of a translation, which guides decisions about style, explicitation and structure. Identifying the purpose before drafting helps resolve choices where literal and idiomatic renderings compete.

A conclusion drawn from evidence in a text rather than stated directly. Verbal reasoning questions often require distinguishing a supported inference from an overreach or a restatement.

An unstated premise that a passage relies on for its argument to work. Questions may ask which assumption is required, which is different from what the text explicitly claims.

The central point a passage is written to convey, as opposed to supporting detail or an example. Identifying it quickly helps eliminate options that are true but peripheral.

The range of cases or the degree of generality a statement covers, signalled by words like 'all', 'some', 'only' or 'mainly'. Options that widen or narrow the scope beyond the passage are wrong.

A set of statements in which reasons are offered in support of a conclusion. Recognising premises and conclusion is the core skill for evaluating whether a passage's reasoning holds.

A comparison of two quantities expressed as a quotient, such as 3:4 or 0.75. Ratio questions often require scaling both parts together while keeping the relationship fixed.

A number expressed as a fraction of one hundred. Percentage-change questions require care about the base value, since a rise and a fall of the same percentage do not cancel out.

The arithmetic difference between two percentages, as opposed to the relative change between them. Moving from 20% to 25% is a rise of five percentage points but a 25% relative increase.

A statement that two ratios are equal, allowing an unknown value to be found by cross-multiplication. Proportional reasoning underlies many numerical questions in aptitude tests.

An average in which each value contributes according to its share or frequency. It differs from a simple mean and is often tested with mixed groups, populations or budget shares.

An ordered series of numbers or figures governed by a rule, such as repeated addition, multiplication or alternating operations. Finding the rule lets you predict the next term.

A regularity in shape, position, shading or number that repeats or evolves according to a rule. Abstract reasoning items typically require spotting the rule and applying it to select the next figure.

The task of identifying the missing or next element in a sequence of numbers or figures. It tests rule detection rather than calculation speed, so checking the rule against several terms is advisable.