This document defines translation and discusses different types of translation. It provides definitions of translation from various scholars, seeing it as a communicative act that mediates between cultures. Translation types discussed include intralingual, interlingual, and intersemiotic translation. The document also examines what makes a good translation, citing scholars who emphasize representing the ideas, style, and ease of the original work while having a life and voice of its own in the target language. Conveying both the spirit and meaning of the original is also discussed as important for good translations.
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DEFINITIONS OF TRANSLATION
is communication, an unavoidable act of every
cognitive process (Popa , 2009)
involves having to mediate between two cultures
(Baker, 2006)
Translating is a simple communicative act.
(Venuti, 2000)
A communicative act that takes place within
clear-cut socio-cultural historical contexts;
ongoing process of continuing education since
translators never stop learning (Ulrych, 1999)
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WHAT IS TRANSLATION ?
a fundamental act of human exchange (Bassnett,
1980)
It is no longer an approximation of the original,
but rather its ideal; both translation and original
strive towards the ideal, but translation appears
to be closer to it.
(Lefevere, 1977)
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Alexander Fraser Tytler, Lord Woodhouselee
Tytler’s treatise the Essay on the Principles
of Translation (London, 1790) translation
should fully represent :
1) ideas (intentionality)
2) style of the original
3) should possess the ease of original
composition
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TYPES OF TRANSLATION (1)
‘On Linguistic Aspects of Translation’, Roman
Jakobson (1959) -> three types of translation:
(1) Intralingual translation, or rewording
(2) Interlingual translation or translation proper
(3) Intersemiotic translation or transmutation
6. What provides a good translation?
a . ) “A good translator must understand
the original word thematically and
stylistically ; he must overcome the
differences between the two linguistic
structures ; he must reconstruct the
stylistic structures of the original work in
his translation" ( Prochazka in Garvin ,
1955 : 111) .
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7. Cont.
b) Regarding poetry , Jackson Mathews ( 1959 :
67) states : " One thing seems clear : to
translate a whole poem is to compose another
poem. A whole translation will be faithful to the
matter and it will " approximate the form " of the
original; and it will have a life of its own, which is
the voice of the translator.
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8. Cont.
c .) Some translators seem to focus on the sense
of their work . We have statements from Ezra
Pound ( 1954 : 273 ) , who prefers " more sense
and less syntax ” , George Campbell ( 1789 : 445
ff ) , who argues that translation should not be
characterized by “ obscure sense " and finally
Milligan ( 1957 ) , arguing that sense makes
translation existent . In addition to making sense
, as Campbell ( 1789 : 445) and Ruth M.
Underhill ( 1938 : 16 ) state , translations must
also convey the "spirit and manner” of the
original .
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9. Cont.
d) Dealing with the basic difficulties of translating ,
William Cooper ( 1928 : 484 ) states : " if the
language of the original employs word formations
that give rise to insurmountable difficulties of
direct translation , and figures of speech wholly
foreign , and hence incomprehensible in the other
tongue , it is better to cling to the spirit of the
poem and clothe it in language and figures entirely
free from awkwardness of speech and obscurity of
picture. This might be called a translation from
culture to culture .
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