translation strategies

TRANSLATION STRATEGIES

TRANSLATION STRATEGIES

PreliminariesStrategy-making process during the pre-process stages (depends on effective reading)

Thorough planning of translation process with a view to obtaining a definite final product

PreliminariesTranslation strategies central issues in TS from the Roman times throughout the mid-twentieth century

Translation strategies pertain to the prescriptive view of TS

Form and ContentR. Jakobson (1959): all cognitive experience and its classification is conveyable in any existing language

But: only poetry by definition is untranslatable the form of words contribute to the construction of meaning

Form and Content (HATIM &MUNDAY 2004)Classical dichotomy: form vs. contentform vs. style

The sense might be translated while the form often cannot. This is where we are confronted with untranslatability (poetry, song, advertising, punning, etc.)- rhyme, double meaning - unlikely to be recreated in TL

Form and ContentProper names can contribute to the meaninge.g. Tom Marvolo Riddle (in Harry Potter) is the anagram of I am Lord Voldemort (evil character)in French: Tom Elvis Jedusor anagram of Je suis Valdomort

Literal and FreeAnother major dichotomy in TS (Cicero and St Jerome 4th century)

Literal = word-for word ( translationese)Free = sense-for-sense

In Classical times: literal translation was common (from Greek into Latin)

Literal and FreeChoice depends on text type, audience and purpose of translation (compare: Dickens and Twain vs. instructions and marriage certificate)

Which strategy is favoured in literary translation?

Comprehesibility and TranslatabilityRelated to literal vs. freeAlso depends on: text type (instructional, informative or literary) purpose (pragmatic/ functional / utilitarian or for pleasure)audience (expectations on comprehensibility)

Translation ProceduresVinay & Darbelnet (1958) 7 procedures, in two basic classes of translation methods:

direct (literal translation) indirect (oblique translation)

Translation ProceduresDirect (literal) translation: the SL message can be translated perfectly into TL, because the message is based on parallel categories or concepts

Translation ProceduresDirect (literal) translation:

Procedure 1: Borrowing

when a new technique or an unknown concept is introduced; it can also be used to create a particular stylistic effect, for example to introduce an element of local, SL color to the TL: tortilla, tequila, and sauna.

Translation ProceduresA. Direct (literal) translation:

Procedure 2: Calqueanother form of loan translation: a complete syntagma (syntactic unit) is borrowed, but its individual elements are translated literally;

it consists of phrases in direct (literal) translations of fixed expression in TL (e.g. French: Compliment de la saison from the English Christmas greeting compliments of the season)

Translation ProceduresA. Direct (literal) translation:

Procedure 3: Literal Translation

word for word translation, replacement of SL syntactic structures, normally on the clause or sentence scale, where the resulting TL is grammatically correct and idiomatic;the translation has not needed to make any changes other than those concerning grammatical concord or inflectional endings (e.g. E. where are you? F. Ou etes vous?) What about Romanian?

Translation ProceduresB. Indirect (oblique) translation

- when there are gaps in TL which have to be filled by some equivalent so that the meaning or impression is the same;- when the literally translated message has another meaning than the SL one.


Procedure 4: Transposition

replacing one word-class by another without changing the meaning;it can also be used within a language, as when rewarding the phrase, for example He announced that he would return to He announced his return;in translation: two types of transposition: obligatory and optimal;it is also a change in the grammar (singular to plural; position of the adjective, changing the word class or part of speech).


Procedure 5: Modulation

a variation in the message due to a change in the point of view: seeing something in different light;It is justified when a literal or transposed translation results in a form which is not natural;two types of modulation: fixed (obligatory)free (optimal) (e.g. it is not difficult = este simplu).


Procedure 6: Equivalence

operates at syntagmatic level and affects the whole message;usually: the phraseological repertoire of idiom, clichs, proverbs, nominal or adjectival collocation, etc. E.g. bookworm = oarece de bibliotec The early bird catches the worm = Cine se scoal de diminea departe ajunge.


Procedure 7: AdaptationCultural differences: the reality in the SL does not exist or is unacceptable in the TL /culture: creativity for equivalent effect;

- E.g. it is culturally normal for an English father to kiss his daughter on the mouth, but a similar action would be culturally unacceptable in a French text: he tenderly embraced his daughter)

translation strategies

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