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Article published In: Target
Vol. 15:2 (2003) ► pp.317–336

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Conversion in English computer terminology

Factors affecting English–Spanish translation

 | University of Alicante
Published online: 12 May 2004
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https://doi.org/10.1075/target.15.2.06bel
Computer terminology has recently become very influential in languages other than English. One of the major problems affecting Spanish translation in this field derives from the high flexibility of English towards conversion, the process whereby a term belonging to a specific grammatical category can be used with different syntactic functions without requiring change in its form. Although no agreement exists on the definition and extent of conversion, this process poses some important problems for the Spanish translation. This paper intends to analyze and classify the most important types of conversion in English computer terminology and describe the major problems affecting the Spanish translation.
Résumé
Ainsi que l’ont souligné de nombreux auteurs, la terminologie informatique est récemment parvenue à étendre son influence à d’autres langues que l’anglais. L’un des problèmes majeurs rencontrés par la traduction espagnole dans ce domaine tient au fait que l’anglais dispose d’une grande flexibilité à la conversion, c’est-à-dire qu’il peut associer, sans en changer la forme, une seule catégorie grammaticale à différentes fonctions syntaxiques. Même en l’absence d’un accord sur la définition et l’extension de la conversion, il s’agit d’un processus qui pose des problèmes considérables à la traduction espagnole. Cet article vise à analyser et à classer les grands types de conversion dans la terminologie informatique anglaise et à décrire les problèmes majeurs de la traduction en espagnol.
Article outline
  • 1.The process of conversion
  • 2.Conversion in English computer terminology
  • 3.Types of conversion in English Computer terminology and their Spanish translation
    • 3.1Nouns to verbs
    • 3.2Verbs to nouns
    • 3.3Nouns to adjectives
    • 3.4Adjectives to nouns
    • 3.5Verbs to adjectives
    • 3.6Abbreviations to adjectives
    • 3.7Abbreviations to verbs
    • 3.8Other types
  • 4.Conclusions
  • References
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