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1. Theatre Translation
Presentation by:
Marie Joy Perez Uy
Reference:
Key Terms in Translation Studies (2009)
Guiseppe Palumbo
Marie Joy “Psyche” Uy; Reference: Key Terms
in Translation Studies (2009) by Guiseppe
Palumbo
1 11/26/2014

2.  Has an argumentative issue on “faithfulness”
of the translations and its freer and more
performable version.
Why is it said to be freer?
Cite instances.
 Started in the 1980s, in parallel with the
emergence of interdisciplinary approach to
translation.
Marie Joy “Psyche” Uy;
Reference: Key Terms in Translation Studies (2009) by Guiseppe Palumbo
11/26/2014 2

3. 11/26/2014
 Is different to other literary texts (e.g. novels,
poems), drama texts are ought to be spoken
or to be performed on stage.
“We’re Tuesday people,” he said.
Tuesday people, I repeated.
Morrie smiled.
EXCERPT
Sam Mae: Maybe... I like her name,
my name (Giggles. Smiles)
Mae: (Smiles warmly. Notices the
time) It’s getting late why don’t you
go home now? Does your Mom know
you're here?
SCRIPT
 Scholars, thus, came out with the criteria for
translating dramatic literary texts.
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Marie Joy “Psyche” Uy; Reference: Key Terms in Translation Studies (2009) by
Guiseppe Palumbo

4.  Snell Hornby (1996) summarized the aspects
to be taken into account. Some are:
 Nature of theatre dialogue as an artificial
language characterized by special forms of
cohesion, and rapid changes of theme.
 The multitude perspectives introduced by figure
of speech (i.e. paradox, irony, allusion,
anachronism, and wordplay)
Marie Joy “Psyche” Uy; Reference: Key Terms in Translation Studies (2009) by
Guiseppe Palumbo
11/26/2014 4

5.  Snell Hornby (1996) summarized the aspects
to be taken into account. These are:
 The particular role played by rhythm and tempo
 The identification of language by actors (of whom
will wear the “mask”)
 And the role of spectators (audience/ crowd),
those who are likely to be emotionally involved
with the performance.
Marie Joy “Psyche” Uy; Reference: Key Terms in Translation Studies (2009) by
Guiseppe Palumbo
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6.  A consideration of these aspects is felt to be
crucial in ensuring that the translation of stage
dialogue leads to adequate “speakability” and
“performability” [in the TL].
 Equally important is the attention given to the
socio-cultural circumstances of the translated
text: in order to appear/ to work as an
independent text,
 A translated theatre text may have to be more
or less adaptive from the ST to the particular
circumstances of the target culture (Anderson,
2005).
Marie Joy “Psyche” Uy; Reference: Key Terms in Translation Studies (2009) by
11/26/2014 Guiseppe Palumbo
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7.  Role of translators:
 Aaltonen (1997) identifies:
▪ ‘mediators’
Acts as a link between parties; provides TL
but remain outside the production team
▪ ‘directors’ or ‘dramaturges’
Directly involved in the production
Someone skilled in the literary
aspects of the dramatic arts
(playwright)
Marie Joy “Psyche” Uy; Reference: Key Terms in Translation Studies (2009) by
Guiseppe Palumbo
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