Which translation method is described as the simplest, where translators simply take words or expressions from the source language and use these in the target language?

• A. Borrowing
• B. Calque
• C. Literal Translation
• D. Equivalence

Answer: (A)

Borrowing is the simplest translation method: you take a word or expression from the source language and use it in the target language with little or no translation or modification. It keeps the original form, sometimes adjusting spelling or pronunciation to fit the target language, and is commonly used for new terms, brands, or culture-specific items. For example, you’ll see words like pizza or karaoke used almost unchanged across many languages, or a brand name kept as is.

Calque would involve translating the parts of a phrase literally into the target language, producing a word-for-word or component-by-component rendering, which can feel awkward or unfamiliar in everyday use. Literal Translation is a strict word-for-word rendering that may misrepresent meaning or natural usage in the target language. Equivalence aims for a culturally and functionally natural expression in the target language, not a direct borrow.