Notes on Translation
Studies
Source Language (SL) → Target Language (TL)
Types of Translation
i) Word
translation
ii) Paraphrasing
or meaning oriented translation
iii) Sense-for-
sense translation
iv) Gloss
translation – reproduce literally and meaningfully the form and content of the
original.
v) Hybrid
translation - a mixing of languages, archaism, neologism, slang, colloquial
expressions
vi) Radical
translation – into a language that is either classical or new.
vii) Human
translation / machine translation – computer/ machine-aided translation.
Problems in translation:
i) The problem of equivalence – irreducible linguistic
and cultural differences – correspondence – lexical, grammatical, stylistic. Settle
for dynamic or functional equivalence.
ii) The problem of history or period
iii) The problem of untranslatability – nonsense
rhyme, poesie concrete glossolalia etc.
Basic requirements of translation
ü
making sense
ü
conveying the spirit and manner of the original -
It must echo the original – the intended effect
ü
having a natural and easy form of expression
ü
producing a similar response
Translation as adaptation – adapting to the local
culture, stage, screen, radio etc.
Translation as recreation – poetry
Translation as interpretation – any translation
is a kind of interpretation
Methodology
Literal Translation vs Liberal Translation
Practical translation → ‘minimax’ strategy –
minimum effort maximum effect.
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