See in Reader
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A clear translation will use whatever language structures are needed to help readers easily read and understand it. This includes putting the text into a different form or arrangement and using as many or as few terms as necessary to communicate the original meaning as clearly as possible.
Step four in the MAST process is the "blind draft." During this step the translator writes in his own words what he remembers of the chunk he has just consumed and verbalized. By doing this step without looking at the source text, the translator will use natural wording. When he is done with this step he will check his own work, during step five, "self-edit." This step will help him to make sure the translation is clear. (You can learn about the MAST steps in Discovering and Retelling the meaning.)
Writing Clearly
As a translator edits his blind draft, he should ask these questions to make sure the translation is clear:
- Have I used punctuation to help a reader know when to pause or breathe?
- Have I indicated which parts are direct speech?
- Am I separating paragraphs?
- Have I used the right language and form for the type of writing this is?
There are other parts to the "self-edit" step including a comparison with the source text to confirm accuracy. See Self-Edit for an explanation of the whole process of step 5.