Balance Formality Appropriately

Tip of the Day - January 8, 2024: When translating, adapt the level of formality to match the tone of the original text and the expectations of the target audience. Over-translating into a formal or informal style can misrepresent the intent of the source. For example: Original (English): "Can you send me the report by tomorrow?" Overly formal (Spanish): "¿Podría enviarme el informe para mañana, por favor?" Too casual (Spanish): "¿Me mandás el informe para mañana?" Balanced translation: "¿Podrías enviarme el informe para mañana?" Understanding your audience ensures your translation maintains the proper tone and impact. Come back tomorrow for another insightful tip!