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English to Hebrew translation services with native speakers in Tel Aviv, Israel providing high-quality Hebrew translation for business, medical, legal domains. Find Hebrew Translation WFH freelancers on January 21, 2025 who work remotely. Read less

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What to Know

How is Hebrew translated into English?

Translating from Hebrew to English involves navigating numerous linguistic, cultural, and structural differences. Here's a detailed breakdown of key aspects:

Script and Writing System

Alphabet: Hebrew uses the Hebrew alphabet, which is written from right to left. English uses the Latin alphabet, written left to right. This fundamental difference affects not just the writing but also the reading of text.

Vowels: Hebrew traditionally does not write most vowels; they are either implied by the context or indicated by diacritical marks (nikkud) in texts for beginners, religious texts, or poetry. English, on the other hand, explicitly writes all vowels. Translators must infer or supply the missing vowels in Hebrew based on context.

Grammar and Syntax

Word Order: English typically follows a Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) structure, while Hebrew can be more flexible, often using Verb-Subject-Object (VSO) in narrative past tense or Subject-Verb-Object in other contexts:
Example:
Hebrew: "הילד קרא את הספר" (The child read the book) - VSO in past narrative.
English: "The child read the book."

Verb Conjugation: Hebrew verbs conjugate for person, number, gender, and tense, with significant complexity due to:
- Binyanim: Seven verbal patterns (binyanim) affect how verbs are conjugated, each with its own meaning nuances (e.g., causative, reflexive).
- Aspects: Hebrew has imperfective (ongoing action) and perfective (completed action) aspects rather than tenses per se. Translators must interpret these into appropriate English tenses or aspects.

Gender and Number: Hebrew nouns, adjectives, and verbs have gender (masculine, feminine) and number (singular, plural, sometimes dual) agreement, which English largely lacks:
Example:
Hebrew: "הספרים הגדולים" (the big books - masculine plural)
English: "The big books"

Prepositions and Particles: Hebrew uses prepositions in conjunction with pronouns or nouns in ways that are often different from English, sometimes requiring restructuring:
Example:
Hebrew: "עליך" (alayikh - on you, feminine)
English: "On you" or "Upon you"

Vocabulary

Roots: Much of Hebrew vocabulary is derived from three-letter root systems, where meaning is altered by changing vowels or adding prefixes/suffixes. This can complicate translation since a single root can produce many related words:
Example: From the root "כ.ת.ב" (k.t.v), you get "כתב" (katav - he wrote), "כתבה" (kitbah - article), "מכתב" (mikhtav - letter).

Loanwords: Modern Hebrew includes many loanwords, especially from European languages, which might be directly borrowed or adapted. These words can sometimes be translated back to their original English form or need explanation:
Example: "מחשב" (makhshev - computer) is from English "computer".

Idioms and Cultural Expressions

Idiomatic Language: Hebrew has its own set of idioms and expressions that don't have direct English equivalents:
Example:
Hebrew: "לשבור את הכלים" (lishbor et ha-kelim - literally "to break the dishes", meaning to make a scene or argue loudly)
English: "To make a scene" or "to have a heated argument"

Cultural References: Biblical or historical references might need explanation or adaptation:
Example:
Hebrew: "בין בר לב" (Bein Bar Lev - referring to the Bar Lev Line, a defensive fortification)
English might require a footnote or explanation like "The Bar Lev Line was..."

Translation Techniques

Literal vs. Free Translation: Often, a literal translation won't convey the intended meaning or feel unnatural in English. Translators might need to:
Paraphrase for clarity.
Find cultural or idiomatic equivalents.
Explain concepts or terms where no direct translation exists.

Contextual Understanding: Hebrew's reliance on context for meaning requires translators to have a deep understanding of the text's background.

Consistency: For larger texts or projects, consistency in terminology, especially for technical or biblical terms, is crucial.

Tools and Resources: While machine translation can provide a starting point, human translators often use dictionaries, glossaries, and cultural knowledge to refine translations.

Challenges

Ambiguities: Without vowels, many Hebrew words can be ambiguous, requiring translators to make educated guesses based on context.

Cultural Nuances: Understanding and conveying cultural, religious, or historical context that might not resonate directly with English-speaking audiences.

Tone and Register: Matching the formal or informal tone, as Hebrew has different forms for addressing people based on familiarity or respect.

Examples

Simple Sentence:
Hebrew: "הילד אוכל תפוח" (Ha-yeled okhel tapuach)
English: "The child is eating an apple."

Complex Sentence:
Hebrew: "אם תבוא מחר, נוכל ללכת לחוף הים." (Im tavo machar, nuchal lalekhet la-chof hayam.)
English: "If you come tomorrow, we can go to the beach."
Idiomatic Expression:
Hebrew: "כל הכבוד" (Kol ha-kavod - literally "all the honor")
English: "Good job" or "Well done"

In conclusion, translating Hebrew to English involves not just linguistic translation but also cultural and contextual adaptation to ensure the message is conveyed accurately, naturally, and appropriately in English.

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