This document discusses the various types of problems that translators may encounter when translating text from one language to another. It identifies six main types of translation problems: lexical-semantic problems due to differences in word meanings and concepts between languages; phonological problems with reproducing sounds; syntactic problems with differences in grammar and sentence structure; cultural issues arising from differences in cultural references; pragmatic problems relating to context; and rhetorical problems in identifying figures of speech. Examples are provided for each type of translation problem to illustrate challenges that may occur. The document emphasizes that translation work requires meticulousness and extensive knowledge of both the source and target languages.

1. PROBLEMS OF TRANSLATION

2. TRANSLATION PROBLEMS
Translators come across various situation
that might be problematic while translating a
text from source language to target language.
Translators usually deal with six
different problematic areas in their work.

3. TYPES OF TRANSLATION PROBLEMS

4. LEXICAL - SEMANTIC PROBLEMS
Due to the semantic features of
language - the meanings of words, their ability
to combine with other words, their usage and
their place in lexical system of a language do
not concur for the most part. All the ideas
expressed by words coincide in most cases,
though the means expression differ.

5. There are some languages where terms for
certain objects or actions do not exist.
Example : In Tamil, a married woman is called as
“SUMANGALI” . There is no word similar for
this term in other languages like English .

7. PHONOLOGICAL PROBLEM
Sounds, have an effect on any hearer, the
sounds effect some kind of response. The
translator should ensure reasonably close
phonological equivalence between the source
and target languages.

9. SYNTACTIC PROBLEMS
Syntactical problems may originate
in syntactic parallels, the direction of the
passive voice, the focus or even rhetorical
figures of speech, such as a hyperbaton (the
inversion of the natural order of speech) or an
anaphora ( repetition of a word or segment at
the beginning of a line or a phrase.

10. The translator comes across the problem
in language structure while translating a phrase
or a sentence. This problem occurs when the
language is complex.
The structure of English language is SVO ,
the structure of Tamil language is SOV and in
languages like Arabic, the subject pronoun is
written as part of the word, which then
determines the voice of the sentence and the
gender of the subject.

12. CULTURAL ISSUE
Cultural issues may arise from differences
between cultural references, such as names of
food, Festivals and cultural connotations, in
general.
The translator will use language localization to
correctly adapt the translation to the culture
targeted.

13. EXAMPLE :
 The Tamil word “valakaapu” refers to the
function done to a pregnant woman in her 7th
month of pregnancy in culture of Indians. But a
similar word for this cannot be found in other
foreign language.
 The Hindi word “Mehandi” refers to the
practice of applying temporary henna tattoos,
especially as part of a bride or groom’s
preparation for wedding. A similar word for this
cannot be found in other foreign languages.

14. PRAGMATIC PROBLEMS
Pragmatic problems refer to any issues
relating to time, place, and context. These
difficulties can also include other challenges.
EXAMPLE : In the translation of a marketing from
English to Tamil specifically with the translation
of the personal pronoun “you”. The translator
must decide whether the formal or informal
“you” will be more appropriate. .

15. RHETORICAL PROBLEMS
Rhetorical problems are related to the
identification and recreation of figures of
thought ( comparison, metaphor, metonymy,
oxymoron, paradox, etc.) and diction.

16. Help how much my heart hurts
.....My voice is goner .................
Bye bye, boring life
I cannot take it no more.......
.....I gazed – and gazed but little thought

17. Translation work requires meticulousness.
The translator must be well read, have a good
knowledge on both the source and target
languages. Translators can refer dictionaries,
Thesauruses, and other books to find the
appropriate words for the betterment of the
translation.