In our ultra-interconnected world, the flow of financial information effortlessly crosses borders, mirroring the swift movements of capital between markets. As a professional translator with extensive experience in translating financial, investment, and business news from Portuguese to English for Valor Econômico, Brazil’s premier financial newspaper, I, along with colleagues Carlos Dias, Todd Harkin, Liliana Hage, Marina Della Valle, and our editor Samuel Rodrigues, find ourselves at the heart of this dynamic exchange.
Our editor meticulously handpicks news articles every day from the paid print edition of Valor Econômico to ensure that the content we translate is timely, relevant, and of significant interest to our international audience. These translations are then made freely accessible at Valor International’s website, https://valorinternational.globo.com, offering a gateway to Brazil’s financial world for English-speaking readers globally. For those looking to delve deeper and stay updated with the latest trends and insights, Valor International offers a free newsletter subscription right on the homepage. This newsletter is not just a source of the latest financial news; it’s a treasure trove of technical terminology and jargon, making it an invaluable resource for anyone keen on understanding or working within the finance sector.
Unique to our experience at Valor International is the recognition and credit given to us as translators at the end of each translated article, a testament to the newspaper’s respect for our profession and an understanding that translations do not materialize from thin air. This acknowledgment underscores the collaborative writing endeavor shared between us and the original journalists, highlighting the importance of our contribution to making Brazil’s vibrant economy understandable to an international audience.
Mastering the specialized terminology and nuanced concepts inherent in finance is more than a matter of linguistic skill; it’s about conveying the underlying concepts and market mechanisms these terms embody with precision. This precision is crucial. It ensures that the translations we produce faithfully reflect the nuances of the original texts, enabling investors, analysts, and business leaders globally to make well-informed decisions based on accurate and reliable information. Our approach is meticulous, focusing not only on accuracy but also on style (example below) to ensure that everything reads naturally. We strive for our readers to experience the final translation as if it were the original, with no hints of awkwardness or traces of the source language. This is evident in our process from draft to final translation, where we make adjustments to ensure the text is both accurate and flows naturally in English, enhancing readability and understanding.
Table 1. Style Adjustment – From Draft to the Final Translation
| Original | “O XYZ O está totalmente sanado, todos os ativos que precisavam ser baixados a prejuízo já foram, as provisões foram feitas. Ele dava prejuízo porque não estava mais fazendo crédito. A partir do momento que ‘plugamos’ algumas operações ali, passou a dar lucro.” |
| Draft | “XYZ is completely healthy; all the assets that needed to be written off as losses have already been addressed, and the necessary provisions made. It was incurring losses because it had ceased extending credit. As soon as we initiated some operations there, it began to turn a profit.” |
| Final Translation | “XYZ is in excellent health; we’ve addressed all assets that required write-offs and made the necessary provisions. The losses stemmed from halting credit extension. However, once we initiated operations, it swiftly began to turn a profit.” |
Source: Master reports R$532m profit in 2023, by Álvaro Campos. Translation by Melissa Harkin, CT, valorinternational.
The intricacies of translating financial news extend far beyond technical jargon. The Brazilian market operates within a rich cultural context, profoundly influencing communication. Often, expressions used by Brazilian professionals carry meanings that transcend sector-specific jargon, deeply rooted in the nation’s cultural and historical landscape. In navigating these nuances, we also tackle cultural references and expressions that may not resonate with an international audience. Whether it’s a reference to a Brazilian sports commentator or the use of Latin expressions, we adapt content to maintain its original meaning while ensuring it’s accessible to readers worldwide (examples below). This task demands not only a deep understanding of both cultures involved but also the creativity to localize content, maintaining its original intent, humor, and depth.
Table 2. Adapting Expressions and References
| Latin | Mutatis mutandis e olhando com otimismo para a situação atual, quem sabe o Brasil possa levar vantagem também agora com o ciclo que se abre, da economia verde. |
| Making the necessary adjustments and looking optimistically at the current situation, it’s worth pondering whether Brazil can now seize the emerging opportunities in the green economy. | |
| Sports reference | Nada mal para o ego nacional. Parece que a bola está rolando e pedindo “me chuta, me chuta”, como diria o narrador José Silvério, ícone do rádio esportivo. |
It seems the opportunity is ripe, reminiscent of the classic call to action, urging Brazil to seize the moment with determination and drive forward. |
Source: A tip from academia for industrial recovery, by Pedro Cafardo. Translation by Carlos Dias, valorinternational.
Furthermore, our work is deeply collaborative, far from the solitude often associated with translation. We engage in extensive interaction among our team, consulting each other on terminology, brainstorming solutions, and reviewing translations. This collective effort enriches our work, ensuring that we capture the essence of the original message while making it resonate on a global scale.
In addition to financial news, our translation work at Valor International extensively covers legal content, recognizing that changes in legislation, new regulations, filings of bankruptcy, and court-ordered reorganizations profoundly impact Brazil’s domestic market. Such legal developments can significantly influence investments and the operations of international businesses within Brazil, either positively or adversely. By translating this crucial legal content, we provide our international audience with comprehensive insights into Brazil’s legal landscape, enabling them to make informed decisions and understand the regulatory environment that could affect their investments and business strategies in the country. This facet of our work ensures that our readers are well-equipped with the knowledge needed to navigate the complexities of Brazil’s market dynamics and idiosyncrasies.
Translating financial news from the Brazilian market serves a purpose far beyond merely informing English-speaking audiences. It is instrumental in weaving Brazil’s economy into the global market fabric, attracting investment, and fostering economic partnerships. By providing timely and accurately translated news, we ensure the global financial community can closely monitor and engage with developments in Latin America’s largest economy. This not only benefits Brazil but also contributes to a more informed and interconnected global market. Through our translations, we aim to facilitate a deeper global economic dialogue and understanding, underlining the indispensable role translators play in global commerce and communication.
For more information about translating the news, don’t miss the author’s upcoming session at ATA65—Navigating Nuances: Translating the News for a Global Audience.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR – MELISSA HARKIN
Melissa Harkin, CT, is a Brazilian-American translator certified by the American Translators Association and the Proz network. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Translation Studies at the University of Birmingham, UK. Her recognition extends to being named on MultiLingual Magazine’s list of the Top 30 Women in Translation, highlighting her influence and achievements in the field. Melissa has worked as a translator and editor for the U.S. Department of Defense and as a freelance federal contractor of translation services. Her experience spans various sectors, including international finance, development banks, presidential foundations, international environmental NGOs, education, and aviation, demonstrating her wide-ranging body of work and dedication to facilitating effective global communication.
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