Bài giảng Translation Theory - Lesson 5: Translation methods

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1. INTRODUCTION TO TRANSLATION Truong Van Anh Sai Gon University, HCMC E-mail: truongvananh@cvseas.edu.vn 1
2. LESSON 5: TRANSLATION METHODS Translating a text, we should consider the following problems: 1. A translation must give the words of the original. 2. A translation must give the ideas of the original. 3. A translation should read like an original work. 4. A translation should read like a translation.
3. 5. A translation should reflect the style of the original. 6. A translation should possess the style of the translation. 7. A translation should read as a contemporary of the original. 8. A translation should read as a contemporary of the translation. 9. A translation may never add to or omit from the translation. 10. A translation may add to or omit from the original.
4. 11. A translation of a verse should be in verse. 12. A translation of a verse should be in prose. SL emphasis TL emphasis Word-for-word translation Adaption Literal translation Free translation Faithful translation Idiomatic translation Semantic translation Communicative translation
5. Word-for-word translation This is often demonstrated as interlinear translation, with the TL immediately below the SL words. The SL word-order is preserved and the words translated singly by their most common out of context. Ex: He drives chickens into a pen. He has a nice shirt. Anh ta có một đẹp áo sơ mi.
6. Literal translation The SL grammatical constructions are converted to their nearest TL equivalents but the lexical words are again translated singly, out of context. As a pre-translation process, this indicates the problems to be solved. Ex: He takes some medicine. Anh ta lấy ít thuốc (Anh ta uống thuốc)
7. Faithful translation A faithful translation attempts to reproduce the precise contextual meaning of the original within the constraints of the TL grammatical structures. It ‘transfers’ cultural words and preserves the degree of grammatical and lexical ‘abnormality’ (deviation from SL norms) in the translation. Ex: Colorless green ideas sleep feriously. (Noam Chomski)
8. Semantic translation Semantic translation differs ‘faithful translation’ only in as far as it must take more account of the aesthetic value (that is, the beautiful and natural sound) of the SL text, compromising on ‘meaning’ where appropriate so that no assonance, word- play or repetition jars in the finished version. Further, it may translate less important cultural words by culturally neutral third or functional terms but not by cultural equivalents.
9. The distinction between ‘faithful’ and ‘semantic’ translation is that the first is uncompromising and dogmatic, while the second is more flexible, admits the creative exception to 100% fidelity and allows for the translator’s intuitive empathy with the original.
10. Adaptation This is the ‘freest’ form of translation. It is used mainly for plays (comedies) and poetry: the themes, characters, plots are usually preserved, the SL culture converted to the TL culture and the text rewritten by an established dramatist or poet.
11. Free translation Free translation reproduces the matter without the manner, or the content without the form of the original. Usually it is a paraphrase much longer than the original, a so-called ‘intralingual translation’. Body language may be used for free translation.
12. Idiomatic translation Idiomatic translation reproduces the ‘message’ of the original but tends to distort nuances of meaning by preferring colloquialisms and idioms where these do not exist in the original. Ex: You work as slowly as a snail.
13. Communicative translation Communicative translation attempts to render the exact contextual meaning of the original in such a way that both content and language are readily acceptable and comprehensible to the readership/listenership.
14. Good luck!