When applied to translating, it signifies the act of moving something across a language barrier, conveying meaning from one language to another.
Here's a breakdown of how "trans-" conveys this meaning:
* Across languages: The prefix "trans-" indicates that the act of translating involves moving meaning from one language system to another.
* Beyond the original: The translation aims to capture the original meaning and convey it in a way that is comprehensible and natural in the target language.
Therefore, "translating" literally means "carrying something across" a linguistic boundary.