Presentation about linguistics applied in translation and translation studies

1. By Sugey Yazuri Duran Lima

2. Introduction
This presentation illustrates the linguistic basis and role linguistics
has played in translation and translation studies throughout history.
Translating is not just an act of changing words from the original
language to another one but to know why each word has that
position in the text and their function on it. Here is when linguistics
comes into play .

3. What is linguistics?
In the book Language and linguistics (Lyons,1981) linguistics is defined as the scientific
study of language.
According to David Kinnane (What’s the Difference Between Speech and Language,
2014) he defines language as:
“Language is the method humans use to communicate with each other, often involving
words and symbols used consciously by a group in a structured or conventional way.
Languages can be spoken, signed and/or written”.
“Speech is the expression of thoughts and feelings by humans through articulated
sounds that come out of our mouths and noses (with help from our cranial nerves, lungs,
vocal cords, throats, soft palates, teeth, facial and neck muscles and tongues). Speech is
one way that we express language”.
Figure 1. Linguistics, by A. Prokhorov, 2017, iStock. Retrieved from
https://www.istockphoto.com/es/foto/ling%C3%BC%C3%ADstica-gm639904490-115609109

4. Types of
Linguistics
Theoretical linguistics: It analyzes the core structural
elements of language.
Applied linguistics is defined as the area of research
that has the purpose of analyzing and solving practical
aspects related with human language.
Figure 2. Branches of Linguistic, by A. Rahman, 2016, DOSUKO, from http://dosuko.blogspot.com/2016/04/branches-of-linguistics.html

5. Linguistics and Translation
A translator, in certain way, needs to go in depth in linguistics in order to know the function of
his/her own language and other languages he specializes in. Therefore, it is kind of impossible
translating without having knowledge of linguistics. That is why people who desire to become in
translators are advised to research a bit more about their own language and the other ones they
know, to take courses and to try specialize in knowing the function of each word in a text in order to
translate successfully..
The objective of a translation is communication. Basically, translators’ role is to communicate the
meaning of a text from one language into another so that the people who do not know the source
language can then understand the text thanks to translations.
Thus, at translating, the translator needs to take the context of the text into consideration.
Figure 3. Linguistics and the Social Reality, by T. Kamusella, Wordpress, retrieved from
https://kamusella.wordpress.com/2017/09/26/is-linguistics-a-science/
Figure 4. 5 Reasons Why You Need Translation Services For Your Business,2021, Newschant, retrieved from
https://newschant.com/lifestyle/5-reasons-why-you-need-translation-services-for-your-business/

6. Variety & Linguistic Variation

7. 1.1. Linguistic Diversity & Its Approach
Linguistic diversity is the existence of different languages. All those languages are classified
and well distinguished by a series of aspects:
The language from all those communities that use them.
The relationship between two or more languages in terms of mutual origin.
Grammatical specific elements of a language.
Languages that share the same territory.
Figure 5. Group of people talking different languages saying hi, by Robuart, Shutterstock, retrieved from https://www.shutterstock.com/es/image-vector/group-people-talking-different-languages-saying-1622608648

8. 2.2. Linguistic Typology & Genealogical Classification
Linguistic typology is in charge of analyzing world languages in search of universal
characteristics. In other words, it classifies languages based on their grammatical
similarities or differences.
The genealogical classification is in charge of stablishing groups of languages related
historically. There is a diachronic study.
At analyzing these definitions we can come to the conclusion that not because two
languages share the same genetics means they share the same typological
characteristics.
Figure 6. Linguistic Typology of World Languages, Smartling, retrieved from
https://www.smartling.com/resources/101/world-languages-and-their-linguistic-typology/

9. Levels of Linguistics appliedin Translation and Translation
Studies

10. Languages are organized in different levels. In linguistics
there are many levels that focuses on study everything
that has to do with language.
Here is when linguistics becomes in a useful tool for
translation and translation studies so there can be proper
translations in the world.
A translator needs to know perfectly all the linguistic units,
signs and components that form the source language of
the text he/she is working with and the language it will be
translated to. This way the meaning of those texts will be
communicated successfully and the audience will
understand and enjoy the text as the audience of the
original one.

11. Phonology is the discipline that studies the oral dimension of human language(sounds).
Catford (1995:23) states that in a phonological translation “The Source Language (SL) phonology is
replaced by equivalent Target Language (TL) phonology. The replacements are done only in
grammatical or lexical changes as the result from phonological translation”. That means that the
phonology Source Language changes by equivalent Target Language phonology.
There is an example of the famous Disney cartoon, Mickey mouse translation in source language
English into Indonesian. At translating it, it becomes Miki Mouse; the sound is the same as the original
one but just the spelling is different.
This is the way how phonology works in translations.
Phonology
Figure 7. Fonologia, M Domínguez, Wordpress, retrieved from
https://miguelangeldelcorral.wordpress.com/material-docente-profesor-de-lengua-
castellana-palencia-clases-particulares/lengua-castellana/fonologia/

12. Grammatical Level
The morphology is the part of grammar that
studies the internal structure of words (stem,
root words, prefixes and suffixes).
Morphology
Syntax
Grammar is basically the study of language
structure and the system of rules it uses.
For a translator it is essential to know all the
units that are part of words. There are two
branches of linguistic that are part of grammar:
Syntax is the part of grammar which deals with
combinations of words into word- groups and
sentences.
Therefore, as every language has its own grammatical structure, translators need to know and
master the languages they are specialized in to translate properly so the receiver can understand the
message.

13. Semantics
Semantics is the study of meaning of words, phrases or
sentences.
In translation, semantics plays an important role because at
the moment of translating a text, there are many words in the
source language that have many meanings. It is here when
the translator needs to show his/her knowledge and skills in
both the source and target language to translate every single
word properly having concordance with every idea in the text.
There is an area in semantics that studies words meaning
(vocabulary) in languages called Lexical. Here, paradigmatic
relationships come to light. They are: synonymy, antonymy,
homonymy, polysemy, monosemy, homographs, and so on.
Monosemy happens when a
word has only one meaning on
its language.
Figure 8. Sinónimo/ Organigrama Educativo para niños- Partes del habla, Etzy, retrieved from
https://www.etsy.com/mx/listing/979326584/sinonimo-organigrama-educativo-
para?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=synonym+antonym&
ref=sr_gallery-1-2
Figure 9HOMONYMY AND POLYSEMY, retrieved
from
https://present5.com/lecture-6-homonymy-and-
polysemy-1-1-homonymy/
Figure 10, Lapiz HB, 2020, retrieved from
https://galeria.dibujos.net/colegio/lapiz-hb-pintado-por--
11852099.html

14. Translators also need to be very careful when they
encounter False Friends (cognates) and phraseological
units.
 False friends: They are those confusing words that
appear or sound identical or similar to other words in
their own language or among languages. e.g. gift
(English (a present)) - (German (poison))
 Phraseological units: “They are the phrases where
the meaning of the whole unit is not the sum of the
meanings of its components but is based upon them
and may be understood from the
components”(Dribniuk, Classification principles of
phraseological units). They can be expressions,
idioms, sayings, collocations, etc.
Due to these cases we say it is indispensable for
translators to be careful at the moment of translating
them( especially in literal translation) because they might
fall into the trap and make a big mistake so the meaning
might be controversial, it could affect the audience, the
message might be lost and it might result weird for the
audience not causing the same effect as in the source
language.
Figure 11. 40 Common Englsh Idioms, by K. Roell, 2019, retrieved from
https://www.thoughtco.com/common-english-idioms-3211646
Figure 12. 50 Spanish- English False Friends Words, REGENBIG
GROUP, RETRIEVED FROM https://www.regenbig.es/50-spanish-
english-false-friends-words/

15. Context

16. Context and Translation
Liraz Postan, in her article Importance of Context in translation (2020) states that
there can not be a translation without context. She says, “This process involves the
interpretation of the meaning of the source text and producing the same meaning in
another language. Text however cannot exist out of context. By context what is
meant is the entire environment in which the word or sentence is expressed or
stated”.
As a result:
A correct interpretation of any fact in a language is impossible if the context is not
known.
Context of culture: Translation and culture are connected; therefore, the cultural
context will always affect both source and target language. Culture, in every place,
will be a “challenge” for translators because as phrases and sentences are led by
culture, translators need to understand properly those words to share successful
translations.
Context and culture go hand in hand. So, language and culture complement.
Translation can be only understood in a socio-cultural frame of reference.
A translator should understand not only the writer’s native language spirit but
his/her peculiar way of thinking and feeling according to his/her culture.
Figure 13. Why Contextin Translation Mattres?, 2020,TU Press, retrieved from
https://www.textunited.com/blog/context-in-translation/

17. Cooperation Principles and Conversational
Rules
Paul Grice Defines this conversational rules as “ Rules that are
observed in the verbal act and that find their fundamentals in
certain collaboration stablished between the interlocutors in a
communicative exchange”.
He stablishes four categories. In order that the cooperation works,
the translator needs to observe these rules of conduct:
 Quantity rule: The translator must decide the amount of
information the receiver needs. What is important and what is
not.
 Quality rule: Translators must keep the coherence of the text.
 Relationship conduct: Translators should make the main and
secondary content clear so that the receiver can come to the
same conclusion like the receiver in the source language.
 Manner rule: It works based on the kind of text and norms the
source texts have.
Figure 14. Edición y revisión: Un proceso que asegura la calidad de la traducción, 2018,
InglésBogotá, retrieved from https://www.traduccionesbogota.com/edicion-y-revision-un-
proceso-que-asegura-la-calidad-de-la-traduccion/

18. Semiotics in
Translation
“Semiotics is a systematic study of signs, sign systems or
structures, sign processes, and sign functions. These
elements are central to the process of semiosis, and
together they constitute a sign. A sign is anything that can
be interpreted, and must be physically and mentally
perceptible. Language is only one of many systems of
signs” (Winner 1978: 337).
For example, at translating persuasive advertisements,
translators need to take into account and examine the
signs, their meaning, text and context, and so on. This
way, translators can establish the significance of
advertisements and their role when they are translated to
another language.

19. The Text

20. It is vital to understand what a text is and its importance in the
translation world as branches of linguistics are.
A text is a communicative linguistic unit where the linguistic units of
a language are connected one another with consistency.
A text must have the following components:
 Relationship with the context
 Coherence: It means that the whole text has sense. There is a
topic and an idea and the whole text has consistency with them.
 Cohesion: It refers to the many ways in which the elements of a
text are linked together.
 Topic progression
Translators need to focus on analyzing these components to
communicate the same meaning in the target language text.
Figure 15. Translation of the European Union texts, Aavatar, retrieved from
https://avatar.ee/en/translation/translation-of-the-european-union-texts/

21. Cohesion
 Conjunction: Those words or groups of words that work like links
to connect words, sentences or clauses.
 Anaphoric elements: They make reference to something that
has already appeared. E.g. Marcus went to the zoo. He was to
excited.
 Cataphoric elements: They make reference to something that
has not appeared yet. E.g. When she got home, my mom saw that
the door was broken.
 Proforms: There is no need to write something that was
mentioned previously. We omit some information to not to be
repetitive.
 Ellipsis: I bought a ball and paid it in cash. In Spanish, for
instance, the subject is frequently omitted.
 Coreference:
 Repetition: Using statements with the same meaning as the
previously one to complement the message.
 Chains: Alice is a brainiac. She always participates in class,
humiliating her classmates without caring about it. She just likes
to show off how smart she is.

22. Coherence
Charolles (1978) states four rules for coherence in a text:
 Rule of repetition: Here, there is a basic element from which the
whole text is based on and develops from.
 Rule of progression: The text develops based on a constant
information contribution.
 Rule of no contradiction: It is essential not to include contradictions
in the text.
 Rule of relationship: The information and facts mentioned in the
text are connected with the imaginary or real world.
Figure 16. The Difference Between Coherence and Cohesion, M.
Rhalmi, 2020, My English Pages, retrieved from
https://www.myenglishpages.com/blog/difference-between-
coherence-and-cohesion/

23. “To learn a language is to have one more window from which
to look at the world”.
Chinese proverb
Conclusion
People might think that to be a translator is just knowing different languages and to be proficient in them but this is an
erroneous thought. Translating goes beyond speaking some languages but to know translation studies theory, to know how
to use some technological programs, learning translation techniques and at last but not least having linguistic knowledge of
the languages that every translator speaks. Without linguistic knowledge of translators’ mother language and others they
know, translation could be not possible or it might be so bad.

24. References
 Cachón, C. (1998). La Linguistica en la Traducción. (PDF File).
https://buleria.unileon.es/bitstream/handle/10612/6572/La%20ling%C3%BC%C3%ADstica%20en%20la%20traducci%C3%B3n.pdf?sequence=1
&isAllowed=y
 Diversidad Linguistica en el mundo . Gobierno de Mexico. Retrieved from
https://site.inali.gob.mx/Micrositios/DILM2019/diversidad_linguistica.html
 DriVniuk, V. (n.d.) Classification principles of phraseological units. Rusnauka. Retrieved from
http://www.rusnauka.com/7._DN_2007/Philologia/20481.doc.htm
 Kinnane, D. (2014, February 26). What’s the difference between speech and language?. Banter. Retrieved from
https://www.banterspeech.com.au/whats-the-difference-between-speech-and-language/
 Kramer, R., Lightfoot, D., Portner, P., Sande, H. (n.d.). Theoretical Linguistics. Georgetown University. Retrieved from
https://linguistics.georgetown.edu/programs/phd-programs/concentrations/theoretical-linguistics/
 Lyons, J. (1981). Language and Linguistics: An Introduction. Cambridge University Press: United Kingdom
 Manzanera, A. (n.d.) Linguistica Aplicada a la Traducción. (PDF File). https://es.scribd.com/doc/80535129/Linguistica-aplicada-a-la-traduccion-
APUNTES-TEI-2011-2012
 Mohammed E. & Ramana L. (2017). A Handbook on Introduction to Phonetics & Phonology. Notion Press. Chennai
 Morphology. Ello. Retrieved from http://www.ello.uos.de/field.php/Morphology/AgglutinatingIncorporatingAndInfixingLanguages
 Payne, E. (1997). Describing morphosyntax: A guide for field linguists. Cambridge University Press. Cambridge; New York
 Postan, L. (2020, January 7). Importance of Context in Translation. Blend. Retrieved from https://www.getblend.com/blog/context-in-translation/

25. Thank you