What is "target language"

Target language \Tar"get language\, n. the language into which a text is to be translated; -- correlative of source language.

n. 1 (context linguistics translation studies English) The language into which a translation is done. 2 (context computing English) The machine language into which source code is to be compiled

1. n. the language into which a text written in another language is to be translated [syn: object language]

2. a computer language into which something written in another computer language is to be translated [syn: object language]

Target language may refer to:

• Target language (computing), the computer language a compiler translates into
• Target language, the language being learnt in language education
• Target language (translation), the language a source is translated into

In translation, the target language is the language being translated to; it is the antonym of the source language, which is the language being translated from.

In most professional settings, the target language is also the translator's first language. Translation for specific or professional topic areas often require a working knowledge of those terminologies in the target language as well. For example, the translation of a legal text requires not only fluency in the target language but also a familiarity with the terminology specific to the legal field in the target language.

While the form and style of the source language often cannot be reproduced in the target language, the meaning and content can. Linguist Roman Jakobson went as far as to claim that all cognitive experience can be classified and expressed in any living language.