TOPIC 1 I. The concept of translation II. A new concept of translation 1. The old focus and the new focus on translation 2. New attitudes with respect to receptor language III. Principles of translationIV. Principles of translation1. Meaning 2. Form 3. Register 4. Source language influence 5. Style and clarity 6.Idioms
TOPIC I The concept of translation II A new concept of translation The old focus and the new focus on translation New attitudes with respect to receptor language III Principles of translation Vũ Phương Thảo Nguyễn Thị Hồng Liên IV Principles of translation Meaning Form Register Source language influence Style and clarity 6.Idioms Meaning The translation should reflect accurately the meaning of the original text Nothing should be arbitrarily added or removed, though sometimes part of the meaning can be transposed Eg: «There is a legend about a bird which sings just once in its life, more sweetly than any other creature on the face of the earth.» «Có truyền thuyết chim hót lần đời, hót hay gian.» As we have seen: -1 form may express a variety of meanings - meaning can be expressed in a great number of forms E.g Break a leg! Blow them away! You’ll great! E.g -Thanks for thinking of me but I can’t -No thanks, I have another commitment -I’m not really into it, but thanks for asking! -I’m not taking on anything else right now Fingers crossed! (Ways To Say “No” to People) Good luck! ( Wish the best of luck to someone) -1 form may express a variety of meanings For example: We should be discussing violence on TV Interpretations - We should be discussing violence on TV We should be discussing violence on TV 2) Form : Clauses Phrases Words Sentences Lexicon Surface structure Paragraphs Form Word order Grammar - The ordering of words and ideas in the translation should match the original as closely as possible This is particularly important in translating legal documents, guarantees, contracts, etc But differences in language structure often require changes in the form and order of words E.g He regularly sees me on Tuesdays He sees me regularly on Tuesdays On Tuesdays he sees me regularly - Grammar: No sooner had I got up than my phone rang = As soon as I got up, my phone rang (Ngay thức dậy điện thoại đổ chng.) In translation, the form of the source language is replaced by the form of the target language Cho đến chưa chi tiết thảo luận họ tiết lộ No details of Chưa chi tiết / / their họ / discussions thảo luận / have been released tiết lộ / so far The same meaning can be expressed in several surface lexical items For example: canine, dog, hound, pooch, bitch, mutt, cur, puppy… Dog(male) Bitch( female) CANINE Puppy Hound The English phrase: “my house” -The house I live in - The house I built -The house I own -The house I rent -The house for which I drew up the plan 3) Register The term register is used in the same way as “style” in the field of language learning and teaching -Languages often differ greatly in the levels of formality in a given context -Interpreter must distinguish between formal/informal or fixed expressions and personal expressions For example: Informal: Can you help me? Formal: I would appreciate it if you could please help me ‘Kindly use the plastic bags provided for rubbish disposal’ => ‘You must use…’ ‘It would be appreciated if residents would not park in the entrance road’ => ‘Parking is forbidden …’ -Expressing reminder/anger “Why did you believe him when he said he wasn’t married?” asked Mary “Because”, replied Pamela, “he was so good - looking and well - dressed, and had such a nice voice.” “All that glitters is not gold”, Mary reminded her The interpreter must find out the intention of the speaker( to persuade…) Dissuade Persuade apologize Intention of the speaker Criticize Suggest E.g -Can you help me?( request) -How about watching TV?( suggestion) -Sorry, I’m late( apologizing) - A: Cậu có chơi khơng? B: Giờ tớ làm -A: Bác ăn cơm à? 4) Source language influence : If translation does not sound natural This is because the translator's thoughts and choice of words are too strongly influenced by the original text E.g “ But one day a lonely pilgrim, whose heart burned with the pure flame of faith, felt so deeply grieved at seeing the desecreation and decay of this place” -The Way of the White=> Thế hơm có hành giả độc, lịng cháy bỏng lửa tín tâm, buồn sâu sắc thấy báng bổ tàn tạ vùng đất 5) Style and clarity : The translator should not change the style of the original But if the text is sloppily written, or full of tedious repetitions, the translator may correct the defects For example: -“ Tăng trưởng kinh tế quốc gia không đôi với gia tăng dân số” ⇒ The economic growth of that country failed to match the increase in population -Việc xây dựng cầu bắt đầu vào tháng năm 1994 phí tổn ngân sách Nhà nước cáng đáng => The construction of that bridge began in September 1994 with all costs supported by the National Budget 6) Idiom : Idiomatic expressions are notoriously untranslatable These include similes, metaphors, proverbs and sayings, jargon, slang, and colloquialisms and phrasal verbs ’’WABI-SABI’’ ’’WABI-SABI’’ If the expressions cannot be directly translated, try any of the following : a retain the original word, in inverted commas: ‘phở’, ‘chèo’ b retain the original expression, with a literal explanation in brackets: 'áo dài' (a long close-fitting blouse), 'thồ' (a taxi bike or a taxi motorbike) c use a close equivalent: talk of the devil= the wolf at the door (literally) d.use a non-idiomatic or plain prose translation The golden rule is: if the idiom does not work in the L1, not force it into the translation should be ACCURATE, •Reproducing as exactly as possible the meaning of the source text BEAUTIFUL, •Using natural forms of the receptor language (TL) in a way that is appropriate to the kind of text being translated COMMUNICATIVE, •Expressing all aspects of the meaning in a way that is really understandable to the intended audience ... meaning of the source text BEAUTIFUL, •Using natural forms of the receptor language (TL) in a way that is appropriate to the kind of text being translated COMMUNICATIVE, •Expressing all aspects of. .. thoại đổ chuông.) In translation, the form of the source language is replaced by the form of the target language Cho đến chưa chi tiết thảo luận họ tiết lộ No details of Chưa chi tiết / /... đất 5) Style and clarity : The translator should not change the style of the original But if the text is sloppily written, or full of tedious repetitions, the translator may correct the defects