From Literal to Natural: 3 Steps to "English-ify" a Translation
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Introduction
Translation is never a simple game of word-for-word substitution—it is an art form requiring both precision and grace. In this post, we explore how to "English-ify" a literal translation using insights from Jason Oakes and Dr. Donald T. Williams. Together, they offer a practical framework for making dense, literal translations approachable without sacrificing their original meaning.
Whether you are working with ancient biblical texts or modern prose, here is how to bridge the gap between source and target languages in three straightforward steps.
Step 1: Adjusting Word Order
Direct translations often trap sentences in an awkward, foreign syntax. Jason Oakes points out how literal translations—particularly from languages like Greek—frequently scatter articles and modifiers in ways that confound English readers.
The Fix: Rearrange sentence structures to match natural English patterns.
The Result: Immediate coherence, allowing readers to grasp the core thought without mentally translating the grammar back and forth.
Step 2: Simplifying Language Choices
Even when a translated word falls strictly within its correct semantic range, it can still leave readers scratching their heads. Oakes notes that obscure or overly technical choices bog down the reading experience.
The Fix: Swap out archaic or overly rigid terms for more universally understood expressions.
The Result: A text that feels transparent, drawing the reader into the content rather than distracting them with vocabulary hurdles.
Step 3: Adding Natural Flow
Even after fixing word order and vocabulary, literal translations can still feel choppy or abrupt. Oakes suggests introducing natural transitional elements and filler words to smooth out the rough edges.
The Fix: Polish remaining fragments and mechanical transitions.
The Result: A fluid, conversational reading rhythm that honors the original text while keeping the audience fully engaged.
The Fine Line: The Translator's Choice
As Oakes highlights, everything beyond these three foundational steps becomes a stylistic choice. Some translators lean heavily toward extreme literalness to preserve every structural nuance, while others lean toward dynamic adaptation.
The ultimate goal? Finding the sweet spot that respects the source material while profoundly engaging the target audience.
Dr. Donald T. Williams’ Insight: Capturing Intent
Dr. Donald T. Williams brings a deeper philosophical layer to the craft with a powerful guiding question:
"If the original author had the vast resources of English available to them, what would they have said?"
This perspective shifts the translator's mindset from mechanical word-matching to conveying true intent, emotion, and rhetorical impact in the new language.
Conclusion
Effective translation requires a delicate balance of fidelity and creativity. By following these three core techniques—adjusting word order, simplifying language, and smoothing flow—you can turn a rigid literal translation into a compelling English masterpiece.
As Dr. Williams reminds us, looking past the literal ink on the page to the heart of the message unlocks true linguistic depth.
What is the trickiest translation challenge you’ve faced recently? Drop your thoughts or questions in the comments below!