Core Principles and Techniques of Translation Theory
Skopos theory says that when translating, the most important thing is what the translation is for and who will read it, rather than trying to reproduce the original text faithfully
Cicero> If I render word for word, the result will sound crude, and if compelled by necessity I alter anything in the order or wording, I shall seem to have departed from the function of a translator, St Jerome> For I myself not only admit but freely proclaim that in translating from the Greek (except in the case of the Holy Scriptures where even the order of the words is a mystery) I render sense for sense and not word for word., John Dryden> Metephrase (word for word) and Paraphrase (sense for sense) Imitation is not to translate the author’s words, or to be confined to his sense, but only to set him as a pattern, and to write, as he supposes that author would have done, had he lived in our age, and in our country
Formal equivalence> focuses all attention on the original message, form and content.
A “gloss translation” (…) might be a rendering of some Medieval French text into English, intended for students of certain aspects of early French literature (…) a relatively close approximation to the structure of the early French text, both as to form (e.G.Syntax and idioms) and content (e.G. Themes and concepts) (…) would require numerous footnotes. (…) is designed to permit the reader (…) to understand (…) the customs, manner of thought, and means of expression Example: holy kiss would be translated literally, and perhaps supplemented with a footnote explaining that this was a customary greeting method in New Testament times.
Dynamic equivalence> is based upon the ‘principle of equivalent effect’. The effect of the message on the receptor should be substantially the same in both SL and TL. It aims at complete natualness of expression (in the TL) and tries to relate the receptor to modes of behavior relevant within the context of his own culture. For example, some might translates ‘‘greet one another with a holy kiss’’ as ‘‘give one another a handshake’’ .In early dynamic translations for Inuit audiences, the term for lamb was sometimes translated as ‘’the pup of a seal’’ to make the text more culturally relevant
Overt translationrecipients are quite ‘overtly’ NOT directly addressed. An over translation is quite overtly a translation, not a ‘second original’. Where the translation does not hide the fact that is a translation. It is tied so closely to the source culture that it would be impossible and tried to make it sound it originated in the new language. English Original (Winston Churchill – 1940): “I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears, and sweat.” Spanish Overt Translation: “No tengo nada que ofrecer salvo sangre, fatiga, lágrimas y sudor.” In this translation: •The phrase structure and lexical choices maintain a formal, slightly archaic tone. •The language is slightly awkward, suggesting a literal translation from another language.
Covert translation> is a translation which enjoys the status of an original text. It works as a mirror. It is intended to function as a second original. It is so well adapted to the culture that the reader should not even realize they are reading a translation. It aims to be invisible. It avoids archaisms or excessive formality, making it feel like something a spanish speaker might say originally For example: Original english:
‘‘I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat’’ Covert translation: ‘‘Lo único que puedo prometer es sacrificio y esfuerzo’’
Transposition (grammatical shift)> to change the grammatical category from a word or phrase without changing the communicated meaning. Most useful tool for translators. It helps the translation sound natural and not a copy of the originalCambio de artículo> Life is beautiful to La vida es bellaPassive voice> English uses passive voice more often than spanish. The decision was made by the board to La junta tomó la decisión (Adverb -ly to a Frase preposicional (Preposición+sustantivo)> Certainly to sin duda, basically to en esencia o en el fondo-ingparticiple to a frase preposiciones> Purchasing power to poder de compra Verbo modal to adverb> As you may have observed to Como quizás hayan observado
modulation> change of point of view. Not only changes the grammatical category but the way the brain process reality. For example, ‘‘it’s not difficult’’ to ‘’es fácil’’ it changes the focus from negative to positive without changing the meaning. Recognized translation> se trata de utilizar el término o título que ya ha sido fijado por la tradición, por una institución o por el uso comercial, incluso si no es una traducción ‘‘fiel’’ o literal del original. Si intentas traducirlo de otra manera, la gente no sabrá de qué estás hablando
borrowing> term does not exist in TL; to instil exotic flavour.. Era el principio de los Sanfermines = That was the beggining of the SanferminesCalques> literal translatio> Cámara de los Lores (House of Lords), la canceillar alemana (Känzler) Explicitation> of implicit cultural content in ST when considered important. He studied at Eton= estudió en el famoso colegio de Eton, Compression/omission> of content considered irrelevant or unnecessary in the TL. En el santuario de Virxe da Barca, en Muxía, se reúnen cada año… , Generalization> using a hypernym. Estaba tomando un rioja = he was drinking a glass of wine description= Paraphrase. He’s a Cockney = Es de la parte Este, la menos acomodada, de Londres, Equivalence> A TL equivalent expression for the same situation in the ST. Bless you = Salud!, Adaptation> replacing the SL cultural term by an equivalent in the term TC. A-Level=selectivada, Sixth form = Bachillerato. Literary translation is not just about transferring meaning. It involves recreating a text so that it works as a literary work in another language.
spotting>identifying fragments for subtitles in the original script. Maximun 2 lines> 1-line is 1-3 seconds time and 2 lines 4-6 seconds. Maximum number of characters per line: 42 and 21 characters/second, linguistic units should not be broken, line