According to Merriam-Webster, the word “redundant” can be defined as:
Characterized by similarity or repetition.
In the case of translations, if the original text contains redundancy for the sake of clarity, the translation ought to maintain said redundancy.
Nevertheless, if the idea is clearly expressed in the translation without the need for repetition of the redundant phrase, the redundancy ought to be removed.
Here are some examples of redundant expressions in English that can be cut down in Spanish:
- (absolutely) necessary: absolutamente necesario
- (actual) facts: hechos reales
- (advance) reservations: reservas por adelantado
- ask (the question): in Spanish you would not typically say “preguntar la pregunta”, but rather“hacer/formular una pregunta”(lit. “make/formulate a question”)
- (brief) moment: breve momento
- (completely) eliminate: eliminar por completo
- could (possibly): posiblemente podría
- (favorable) approval: aprobación favorable
- (final) conclusion: conclusión final
- (future) plans: planes futuros
- (past) memories: recuerdos del pasado
It’s also advisable to avoid repeating phrases in the same sentence, for example:
In the event that the last day of the revocation period be a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday in the State of New York, then said period shall expire on the next day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday.
In theses cases, it is convenient to use expressions such as: “one of these days,” “said days,” “said date,” or “the aforementioned days.”
