Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “translation” come from?

Translation derives from Middle English translacioun, from Anglo-Norman translacioun, from Latin translatio, from Proto-Italic trānsslātjō, meaning a carrying across or transfer.

translation (English): The act of translating, in its various senses;...

Definitions

  1. The act of translating, in its various senses;...

Ancestry of “translation”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle EnglishtranslaciounRelocation, removal; Divestment or giving away;...
2Anglo-NormantranslaciounAlternative form of translacion
3Latintrānslātiō—
4Latintrānsferō—
5Latinferō—
6Proto-Italicferōcarry, bear
7Proto-Indo-Europeanbʰéretito be carrying
8Proto-Indo-Europeanbʰēr-shiny, light brown

Words derived from “translation”

  • translational
  • posttranslational
  • mistranslation
  • retranslation
  • translationally
  • posttranslationally
  • cotranslational
  • translationese
  • cotranslationally
  • autotranslation
  • pretranslation
  • rototranslational
  • translationary
  • cotranslation
  • intertranslation
  • gyrotranslation
  • translon
  • post-translational
  • supertranslation
  • translasyon
Every word from Proto-Indo-European bʰēr- →