Whether you are a healthcare organization seeking to overcome the language barrier between providers and patients, a business expanding into foreign markets, or an organization negotiating contracts, entrusting your translations to a professional is essential for clear and effective communication.
As a translator, one of the things I like the most is discovering how a word or term can be used in different contexts according to its various meanings. In translation, a lexical choice is sometimes determined solely by context, making it vital to recognize polysemous words to ensure accuracy and avoid misunderstandings.
But why is professional translation so crucial? To me, one key challenge lies in polysemy.
What is polysemy?
Polysemy is the ability of a word or term to have multiple meanings. This is crucial in translation, as a word in one context may not have the same meaning in another. When it comes to translation, being aware of polysemous words or terms is essential for making the right lexical choices and avoiding misunderstandings.
To prove this, we will share five polysemous words and terms below (among the many that exist!) that should never be left to chance if you want to communicate a clear message to your audience—free of misunderstandings and ambiguity.
No. 1: Condition
Many assume that condition translates directly to condición, but in medical contexts, it usually refers to an illness or a patient’s overall clinical status. In Spanish, the correct translation varies depending on the specific meaning and may include enfermedad, afección, trastorno, proceso, or dolencia.
Examples:
| He has a heart condition. | Tiene una cardiopatía. |
| The patient is in critical condition | El paciente está en estado crítico. |
| She has a skin condition. | Tiene una enfermedad cutánea. |
| The doctor evaluated the patient’s condition before making a diagnosis. | El médico evaluó el cuadro clínico del paciente antes de emitir un diagnóstico. |
No. 2: Lapse
The word lapse can refer to a passage of time, an error in judgment, or a medical relapse, among other meanings.
Examples:
| There was a lapse of two years between studies. | Hubo un lapso/período de dos años entre los estudios. |
| Her lapse in memory led to incorrect information being shared. | Su falta de memoria llevó a que se compartiera información incorrecta. |
| The patient suffered a lapse in his condition. | El paciente sufrió una recaída. |
No. 3: Case
The English word case is commonly translated as caso in Spanish. However, in medicine, case can also refer to a patient, not just a situation. For example:
| The hospital handled several flu cases this winter. | El hospital atendió a varios pacientes con gripe este invierno. |
Though commonly understood as a public display, exhibition has different meanings depending on the context.
Examples:
| The art exhibition was a success. | La exposición de arte fue un éxito. |
| The drug’s exhibition was done under controlled conditions. | La administración del medicamento se realizó bajo condiciones controladas. |
No. 5: Delivery
Delivery has multiple meanings. In a medical setting, its meaning changes drastically.
Examples:
| The patient had an abdominal delivery | El paciente tuvo un parto por cesárea |
| The delivery of health care services is crucial | La prestación de servicios de salud / sanitarios es crucial |
| The pharmacy ensures the delivery of medication on time | La farmacia garantiza la entrega oportuna de los medicamentos |
| The vaccine was successfuly delivered | La vacuna se administró satisfactoriamente |
Why Professional Translators Matter
Have you noticed how a direct translation without considering context could lead to confusing results?
At AZ World, we have a pool of terminology-specialized translators that ensure that your ideas are accurately rendered without ambiguity.
Next time you need a translation, make sure it is in the hands of a professional, as the right choice of words can make all the difference!
If you need to bridge the language divide and connect with a broader audience, contact us at info@a-zworld.ca or visit www.a-zworld.ca the AZ World team will be happy to assist you.