Overused Words in English Translation

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Sometimes, basic is boring and restrictive. The same goes for English translations. When conducting English translations, it is important to use the right words that will completely express the writer’s thoughts. It also becomes an easy read that’s highly fresh to readers’ eyes.

While yes, most of the time, simple is better, in translations, it becomes unexciting. Additionally, it also causes translation errors and inaccuracy in relaying the author’s original emotions.

This is why, to be an English translator, one must have excellent writing skills to find accurate, meaningful, and captivating word choices that would both benefit the author and their readers.

This article will show you the words that are tended to be overused in English translations so you can distance yourself from them and figure out ways to improve yourself as a translator:

  • Good

The word “good” is extremely overused in writing because of how general it is. In the same way, it is also overused in English translations.

While it doesn’t have any strong energy behind it, it’s adequate enough to be used in many reviews and feedback.

However, to avoid sounding typical, synonyms like the ones below could be used:

  • perfect
  • unique
  • profitable
  • fruitful
  • beneficial
  • marvelous
  • decent
  • excellent
  • valuable
  • worthwhile

You just have to make sure that you find a word that best suits the context of the original statement.

  • Angry 

The word “angry” is also a highly general term. It’s used to describe different kinds of anger, but it doesn’t wholly describe these variations. Victims of rape could be angry at their rapists, but at the same time, a kid could be angry at another kid for not sharing their toys.

Hence, choose your context wisely. Is it the annoying type of angry? The livid type? Or are they just uptight?

  • Beautiful

Everything could be called “beautiful”; no wonder it’s so overused! However, consider this: Would you read a text that describes all beautiful things literally with the word “beautiful” all over it, again and again? I don’t think so.

Broaden that vocabulary and decide if the beauty you’re praising is enchanting, delightful, exquisite, graceful, or some other synonym that perfectly describes the ethereal state you’re talking about.

  • Important

Another highly general term commonly used in English translations is the word “important.” It isn’t able to capture the essence of the urgency of something, so why not try: urgent, key, or relevant?

  • Big

He has a big bike; she has big hands; that’s a big house! Are these all the same amount of big? No!

So why not consider these; He has a humongous bike; She has huge feet; That’s a colossal house. Now that’s a more imaginable picture.

Final Verdict

By seeing these overused words, we hope you can ponder how better you would sound if you use less familiar words that will be able to express the original text’s emotions and meaning with more accuracy. Not only do you have an advantage over other translators, but it’ll definitely make your work more credible and exciting.

After all, your resources are just an arm’s reach away, with a book and online thesaurus or dictionaries, and even in Microsoft Word and Google Docs, where it’s just a click away!