ENGLISH FOR FUTURE

DIPLOMATS
2018
by Jônathas Silveira
 Translation from Portuguese to English

The examiners are looking for a correct, natural rendition

in English of one or more texts in Portuguese. Points are
deducted for translation faults, grammatical errors, wrong
word choice, and bad style, should the latter impair the
reading of the text. Half points are deducted for minor
mistakes, including punctuation and spelling.

Source: The Candidate’s Handbook:

English
 Translation from Portuguese to English

The examiners are looking for a correct, natural rendition

in English of one or more texts in Portuguese. Points are
deducted for translation faults, grammatical errors, wrong
word choice, and bad style, should the latter impair the
reading of the text. Half points are deducted for minor
mistakes, including punctuation and spelling.

Source: The Candidate’s Handbook:

English
 Translation from Portuguese to English

The marking of the examination translation into English is

done entirely by subtracting marks for inaccurate
vocabulary or grammar mistakes. There are no marks
available to give a bonus for good, creative translation.
It therefore follows that the safest way to deal with the
text is a literal translation, free from serious mistakes.

Source: The Candidate’s Handbook:

English
 Translation from Portuguese to English

Use cognate words and keep as close as possible to the

meaning of the original text. You may still have a problem
knowing whether cognate words exist and are correct. But
where they do, use them. This is not always the case, since
more literary texts are sometimes set as challenge ,
requiring greater translation skills.

Source: The Candidate’s Handbook:

English
 Translation from Portuguese to English

Some candidates try to play safe and omit the Translation into English
[worth 15 marks] to devote more time to the composition [worth 50
marks]. This seems a rather cowardly policy and is definitely not
recommended. There are two reasons for this:

1. The translation text is normally very short and unless your English
is particularly inaccurate, you are unlikely to score zero.

2. The most important skill for the purposes of the CACD English exam,
and for your future career as a diplomat, is time management. Work on
this skill until you are able to do ALL the exercises in the time
available.
Source: The Candidate’s Handbook:
English
 Translation from Portuguese to English

Some candidates try to play safe and omit the Translation into English
[worth 15 marks] to devote more time to the composition [worth 50
marks]. This seems a rather cowardly policy and is definitely not
recommended. There are two reasons for this:

1. The translation text is normally very short and unless your English
is particularly inaccurate, you are unlikely to score zero.

2. The most important skill for the purposes of the CACD English exam,
and for your future career as a diplomat, is time management. Work on
this skill until you are able to do ALL the exercises in the time
available.
Source: The Candidate’s Handbook:
English
 Translation from Portuguese to English

Tips for Translation (short texts):

1. Read the whole text before you begin to translate. Information
contained at the end of the extract
may affect your choice of words in the earlier sentences.
2. In the context of the CACD English exam, it is very important to
show that you have understood the Portuguese text and can interpret
difficult passages intelligently.
3. When you have read the Portuguese text, think about it and make a
mental summary of it in English, or make a few notes in English on
paper. You need to switch your mind from Portuguese to English to
translate well.

Source: The Candidate’s Handbook:

English
 Translation from Portuguese to English

Tips for Translation (short texts):

4. When you translate in any professional context, you will normally
have access to a dictionary. In an examination you will not. Don’t let
particular vocabulary items you don’t know upset you too much. You can
either paraphrase the word as we as you can, or you can hope there is a
cognate word in English and anglicise the Portuguese word, particularly
if it has a Latin origin. Remember: if you leave gaps in your text, you
will certainly lose marks. If you paraphrase or create successfully,
there is a chance you will not.

Source: The Candidate’s Handbook:

English
 Translation from Portuguese to English

Tips for Translation (short texts):

5. When you translate, try to convey each fact or idea clearly, simply
and correctly in English. This may mean shortening very long sentences
or changing the word order, where necessary. In translating a newspaper
or magazine article, conveying information clearly and accurately is
the main aim. You only need to worry about trying to give an idea of
the author’s style when the text is from a work by a famous author, or
possibly a humorist.

Source: The Candidate’s Handbook:

English
 Translation from Portuguese to English

Tips for Translation (short texts):

6. Revise everything you have written very carefully. It is sometimes
difficult to spot your own slips immediately after finishing a
translation. You might therefore consider doing a draft translation,
then working on the composition then returning to the translation and
finally finishing the composition.
7. Make sure your handwriting is fully legible. Leave time to copy your
translation out before you hand it in.

Source: The Candidate’s Handbook:

English