Translation and text types

TRANSLATION AND TEXT TYPES

• TERMEZ STATE UNIVERSITY

Translation and Communication

• Translation is a case of communication, and it does not require a separate theoretical approach. In order to understand the message we must interpret it first. First we identify what is most relevant. We apply the minimal processing effort

THE RELEVANCE THEORY AND TRANSLATION

• This means that the practical contribution of relevance theory to translation is comparable to that of, say, the science of chemistry to chemical engineering.. Just like an adequate understanding of the cause-effect relations at work in chemical processes is prerequisite to successful chemical engineering, the better the translator's understanding of the cause-effect relations that both enable and limit translation as an act of communication, the better s/he is equipped to find solutions at the translation desk that work. The aim is neither to describe or categorise translation as a text genre nor to prescribe standards or guidelines on how translation is to be done

Comparison

• Relevance Theory

• General model oof communication
• http://homepage.ntlworld.com/ernst-august.gutt/, E. Gutt,Translation and relevance: Cognition and context. Manchester: St. Jerome Publishing (2nd edition) 2004. See also the paper on the website.

• Translation Theory

• Particular strategies and solutions relevant to interlingual communication
• For instance, TAPs, see Bernardini on the website.

TEXT FUNCTION AND TEXT CHARACTERISTICS

• How to do things with words?
• K. Bühler’s language functions:
• Informative
• Expressive
• Vocative

TEXT FUNCTIONS

• Informative – ‘plain’ style, topic foregrounded.
• Expressive – elaborate style, sender foregrounded.
• Vocative – to induce a receiver’s behaviour

Text type and translation

Text type	Informative	Expressive	Operative
Language function	Representing facts	Expressing attitude	Making an appeal
Language dimension	Logical	Aesthetic	Dialogical
Text focus	Content focused	Form focused	Appellative focused
TT should	Transfer content	Transfer aesthetic form	Elicit desired response
Translation method	Plain prose, clarification	Adopt ST perspective	Equivalent effect

Text types and translatability – R.Salmon-Kovarsky

• A. Highly specific texts
• - informative
• - high content of specialized vocabulary
• -conventional form of expression
• Translation possible to teach and learn by means of extensive practice

TEXT TYPE - EXAMPLES

TEXT TYPE - EXAMPLES

• Greg the Greek
• Crossed the creek
• And in that creek he stuck a stick.
• A quick, strict crawfish gripped the stick,
• Stuck out his claw and
• Tweaked the Greek

Text type - examples

• This wine has intense ruby-red colour and the nose is packed with layers of cinnamon, caramel, candy and hints of mint with a prevalence of fruit over the American oak. This spicy full flavoured wine, with good body, fruit and firm tannins has an engaging and strong finish. Also recommended for short cellaring.

Text type - examples

• Dear Sir,
• News from Madrid, Spain.
• We owe your full address to Translation and Interpreting Schools compiled by Brian Harris.
• For your information and guidance we started our School of Translators and Interpreters back in 1972. Please, find enclosed detailed information of the various programmes that we offer. Most of them can be followed by e-mail, distance learning which operate quite successfully.