'translationally' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'translatus', where 'trans-' meant 'across' and 'latus' meant 'carried'. The English form is built from the verb 'translate' plus the adjective-forming suffix '-ional' and the adverbial suffix '-ly'.

'translatus' (Latin) gave rise to Late Latin/Old French forms (e.g. 'translatus' / 'translater'), which entered Middle English as 'translate'; from English 'translate' came the adjective 'translational' and then the adverb 'translationally'.

Initially it meant to be 'carried across' (literal transport); over time the sense shifted to 'rendered into another language' and later broadened to include 'carried across' in a figurative or applied sense (e.g. applying lab findings to clinical practice).