direct translation

[/dɪˈrɛkt trænsˈleɪʃən/]
nounfemininepl: direct translations / traduções diretas
tradução direta
1. A translation that renders words and phrases from a source language into a target language with literal, word-for-word correspondence, without adapting for idioms or cultural context
A direct translation of 'it's raining cats and dogs' would be nonsensical in most languages.
Uma tradução direta de 'it's raining cats and dogs' seria sem sentido na maioria das línguas.
2. A translation that prioritizes accuracy and fidelity to the original text's structure and meaning over natural fluency in the target language
The direct translation of the contract maintains all legal nuances from the original document.
A tradução direta do contrato mantém todas as nuances legais do documento original.
In Brazil, the concept of 'tradução direta' is widely discussed in academic translation studies and professional translation services. Brazilian translators often debate whether direct translation adequately captures cultural nuances, particularly when translating English idioms and colloquialisms. The term is also used in technology and software localization contexts, where literal translations are sometimes necessary for code or technical specifications, but are generally avoided for user-facing content to ensure natural communication.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
literal translationword-for-word translationfaithful translationverbatim translation
Antonyms / Antônimos
free translationloose translationadaptationparaphrase

Regional Variations

General Brazilian Portuguese
tradução direta
Standard term used in academic and professional contexts
São Paulo
tradução direta / tradução literal
Both terms are commonly used in business and translation industries
Rio de Janeiro
tradução direta
Preferred term in educational and publishing sectors
Portugal
tradução direta
Same term used, though 'tradução literal' may also appear in technical documentation

Related Words

interpretationlocalizationtranscriptiontransliterationback translationmachine translation

Related Idioms & Phrases

lost in translation
read between the lines
something gets lost in translation
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