PaginePaginepagineapp.comRead closely. Think about how the author wrote it.
Amira had translated hundreds of documents for the court, but never one like this: a letter written by the defendant to his young daughter, entered as evidence.
The prosecutor wanted a literal translation. The defense lawyer wanted "the meaning." Amira knew that a single word in the letter could be rendered as "forgive me," "excuse me" or "I am sorry for what I could not prevent" — and that the jury might hear guilt or grief depending on her choice.
She stayed up past midnight, reading the letter in the original until the words blurred. In the end she wrote a literal version, as required, and added a translator’s note explaining the range of meanings, with no opinion about which one the man intended.
The next day, testifying, she felt the jury watching her as if she held the scale of justice in one hand. Perhaps, she thought, she did. Every translator does.
Vocabulary: ambiguity — determine its meaning from context: ________________
Worksheets › Grade 12 English › Craft & Structure › Craft & Structure
Free Grade 12 English worksheet (Common Core RL.11-12.4): analyze point of view, word choice and structure in "The Translator’s Dilemma". Skill: Word choice, structure and point of view. Level: Grade 12 — also suits Year 13 (UK).
Yes — it is free to print for home or the classroom. Sign in with a free Pagine account, then use the Print button or save it as a PDF.
It is designed for Grade 12 (ages 17–18), but use it with any child who is ready.
Word choice, structure and point of view.
Pagine's free library has 20,000+ children's books you can read in the Pagine e-reader or the free Pagine app — sorted by age and grade, with free audiobooks too.
Craft & Structure: Literature: Sonnet 18 (Grade 12) · Craft & Structure: Informational: The Placebo Effect (Grade 12) · Craft & Structure: Informational: The Great Migration (Grade 12) · Craft & Structure: Literature: The Clockwork Bird (Grade 12)
All 5 craft & structure sheets → · Grade 12 English: all 10 skills → · All Common Core grades
Pair this grade 12 worksheet with a story. Pagine's free library has 20,000+ children's books — classic novels, drama, poetry and non-fiction, classics and free audiobooks — that you can read right in the Pagine e-reader on any phone, tablet or computer, with adjustable text size and night mode. No ads.
Browse free grade 12 books → · Grade 12 reading level · Free audiobooks · High school reading list
📱 Get the free Pagine app — log every book your child reads (scan the barcode or search), set reading goals, and watch streaks and badges grow. Download on the App Store · Get it on Google Play