Why Literal Translation Is Not Always the Best Option

 When translating from Portuguese to English, it’s easy to fall into the trap of translating word for word. After all, it feels “faithful,” right? But the truth is: literal translations often sound unnatural and miss the point.

🔍 Real communication is more than words

Good translation isn’t just about replacing words — it’s about conveying meaning, tone, and style in a way that feels natural to the reader.

For example:
🗣️ “Fazer vista grossa” literally means “to make thick eyes” — that doesn't make any sense in English, we would say “turn a blind eye.”

Both expressions refer to the same idea, but only one would make sense to your English-speaking audience.

✅ What to do instead:

  • Think about what the sentence really means

  • Use equivalent expressions in English

  • Focus on clarity and tone, not just structure

  • Read your translation out loud — does it sound like something a native speaker would say? If you are not sure, try googling it - but check that any results you find are from authentic sources.

💡 Tip for translators:

Literal translation may be fast, but natural translation creates trust, credibility, and quality.

🎯 Want personalized feedback on your translations?

I offer one-on-one coaching for Brazilian translators who want to write more naturally in English, avoid the most common pitfalls, and develop professionally.

📩 Click here to get in touch
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