Translation serves as a bridge between cultures, enabling communication and understanding across linguistic barriers. However, when it comes to translating between two rare languages, such as Albanian and another less widely spoken language, the process presents unique challenges. In such cases, the use of a relay language, i.e. a widely spoken language such as English, Spanish, Italian, or French, often becomes an indispensable tool for maintaining translation quality and facilitating project success.

Relay languages are crucial for ensuring that translation can be delivered and that information is communicated effectively. For instance, translating directly between Albanian and another rare language like Bahasa or Khmer requires specialised skills that are rarely available. The absence of comprehensive bilingual dictionaries, glossaries, and other linguistic resources further complicates the process.

The Albanian language, spoken primarily in Albania, Kosovo, and parts of North Macedonia, is a prime example of a rare language that often requires a relay language for complex translation projects between languages spoken in different parts of the world. In our recent experience with an international client who requested a translation from Indonesian (also known as Bahasa) language to Albanian, the lack of bilingual speakers necessitated the use of English as an intermediary. This approach allowed the original message to be converted into English before being translated into Albanian, ensuring that the nuances and intentions were preserved throughout the process. This multi-step process ensured that the translation captured both the legal and cultural intricacies of the source and target languages.

When translating between two less-spoken languages, translation quality can be challenging due to limited vocabulary and grammatical resources. Therefore, relay languages, often more standardised, provide a framework that can enhance the clarity and consistency of translations. For the Bahasa to Albanian translation project, we opted to use English as the relay language. We carefully chose translators who were near-native speakers of English, ensuring the accuracy of the conveyed message when translating between Bahasa to English.

After the first translation, a team of bilingual experts, including those fluent in both Bahasa as well as in English, collaborated on reviewing the English version. Subsequently, the reviewed version of the English translation was translated into Albanian by linguists who are native Albanians and fluent English speakers. Finally, a quality assurance check involved additional reviewers who were native speakers of Albanian. They ensured that the final product resonated well with its intended audience, maintaining both accuracy and cultural relevance. Throughout the translation project, we maintained communication with the translators of Bahasa, being the original language, to discuss any unclarity or inconsistencies.

Using relay languages in translations between rare languages is not without challenges. Each step in the translation process introduces the risk of misinterpretation and distortion. The nuances of the original language often involve subjective interpretation and relying on English as a relay language can amplify this subjectivity, resulting in varied translations that might not align with community expectations or cultural norms in Albanian. Moreover, idiomatic expressions in Bahasa may not have direct equivalents in English, making it difficult to convey the intended meaning accurately. Additionally, because the process involves multiple steps, translating to English, and then to Albanian, the timelines for delivering translations can extend significantly.

The use of relay languages in translation projects involving rare languages like Albanian is not just a practical necessity but also a strategic choice to ensure high-quality outcomes. Our recent engagement with an international client, which required translations leveraging English as a relay language, exemplifies this necessity. By combining a structured quality assurance approach with effective communication strategies, we ensured the accurate conveyance of meaning and cultural richness across Bahasa, English, and Albanian, and by leveraging the resources and expertise available in widely spoken languages, we managed to navigate the challenges of rare-language translation and achieve their communication goals effectively.