Methods and Organization

To keep organized, I came up with a table system as well as a way to color code my uncertainties. In the far left column is the original Spanish text. The middle column holds my rough translations. I've found that the first time through I'll just try to get it all into English and then I will go back through each section and adjust where necessary so that it makes a little more sense. The column on the right (currently blank) is where my translating partner can make notes and suggestions. Once that's done, I plan to take the rough translation and suggestions and rework it into an actual, readable paragraph or caption. If I have questions or uncertainties, I will ask our professors for clarification using our common document, email, or during our meetings.

Example of table system/color coding after
 the first translation pass

As to the color-coding, words in red indicate that I am uncertain about vocabulary or word choice. Green words indicate that I have left the word in the original language. Blue is where I have taken a little more liberty in the translation (whether lexical, syntactic, etc) and serves as a reminder to check those sections a little more carefully to make sure that A) it actually does makes sense and B) the original message/meaning is maintained in the target language.

If it turns out that my organizational system isn't effective, then I will adjust as necessary. I am sending my translation of Las Siete Canastas Alimentarias to Brye this afternoon and hopefully by the end of the week I'll send over my Ocho Grupos Humanos section.