Working with handwritten records in a foreign language is difficult. Do not compound the difficulty by confusing transcription and translation. Transcription is converting the foreign-language script into the equivalent foreign-language text. Translation is converting the foreign language into another language. If you’re asking someone to do one or the other, just make certain you ask for the correct thing.
Reading handwriting that is centuries old can be difficult whether it is in your native language and script or not. Handwriting has changed over time, old records can contain archaic terms (legal and otherwise), and foreign-language records and script can result in even more challenges. Don’t start your foray into transcription with a 17th century document if you have not transcribed ones from the 18th and 19th centuries first. It doesn’t matter if you didn’t need those documents for your research. Building your skills is important first and older documents will be easier to transcribe if you are familiar with more recent ones. You may really “need” that land patent from Virginia in 1670 for your research, but if it appears to be in a foreign language, try […]
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