A translator’s note or translation‘s note, is a note that the author of a translation fits into his text, to provide the reader any information it deems necessary for the proper understanding: a difficult text to reproduce naturally in the target language without departing from the original meaning, a difference in the cultural context of the source text, etc.
Such notes are sometimes allowed and sometimes even required on translation exams. Nevertheless, the use of notes is normally seen as an admission of failure by many professional translators.
These notes are marked with the initials “TN” and are usually placed in footnote page or end of the text, although they can also be inserted in the body of text in parentheses or brackets.
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