Here's what it means in detail:
* Focus on meaning: The goal is to convey the essence of the source text in a way that is easily understood by the target audience, even if it means departing from the original wording or grammatical structure.
* Flexibility in form: The translator can adapt the text to fit the conventions of the target language and culture, using synonyms, different sentence structures, and even changing the tone or style if necessary.
* Not literal: Unlike literal translation, which aims to reproduce the source text word for word, free translation takes liberties with the source text to achieve clarity and naturalness in the target language.
Examples of free translation:
* Proverbs and idioms: These often have no direct equivalent in another language, so translators may use a different saying or phrase that conveys a similar meaning.
* Literary works: Translators may use different literary devices, such as metaphors or similes, to recreate the intended effect in the target language.
* Informal language: In informal communication, like chat or social media, free translation is often used to capture the tone and intent of the original message, even if it means using slang or colloquialisms.
When is free translation useful?
* When the source text is highly metaphorical or symbolic.
* When the source text is intended for a specific audience and the translation needs to be adapted for a different audience.
* When the source text is informal or conversational.
Drawbacks of free translation:
* Loss of nuance: The translator may inadvertently change the meaning or lose some of the subtle details of the source text.
* Subjectivity: Free translation is inherently subjective, and different translators may interpret the source text in different ways.
* Difficulty in verification: It can be difficult to verify the accuracy of a free translation, as there is no single "correct" interpretation.
Overall, free translation is a useful tool for conveying meaning and communication, but it should be used with caution and awareness of its limitations.