Translation Studies

 

Sem 3 English: Translation- 1 (NEP) 

 Introduction to Translation Studies

Translation Studies is an academic discipline concerned with the theory, description, and application of translation. It involves studying the process of translating texts from one language to another, the methodologies used, and the cultural and historical contexts of translation. Translation Studies is interdisciplinary, drawing on fields such as linguistics, literary studies, cultural studies, and sociology.

 Definition and Scope of Translation

Definition of Translation:

Translation is the process of transferring written or spoken content from one language (the source language) to another (the target language) while preserving the original meaning, style, and context. It involves not only linguistic conversion but also cultural adaptation to ensure the target audience comprehends the text as intended in the source culture.

Scope of Translation:

The scope of translation is vast and multifaceted, encompassing various types of texts and mediums. Key areas include:

1. Literary Translation: Translating novels, poems, plays, and other literary works.

2. Technical Translation: Translating technical manuals, user guides, and scientific documents.

3. Legal Translation: Translating legal documents such as contracts, treaties, and court judgments.

4. Medical Translation: Translating medical records, research papers, and pharmaceutical documents.

5. Audiovisual Translation: Subtitling, dubbing, and translating scripts for films, TV shows, and video games.

6. Interpreting: Real-time oral translation in conferences, meetings, and other settings.

Translation also involves specialized fields such as localization, which adapts products or content to specific locales, considering cultural nuances and preferences.

 History of Translation

Translation has a rich and varied history, reflecting the evolution of human communication and cultural exchange. Key historical milestones include:

1. Ancient Period:

   - Ancient Egypt: Translating hieroglyphs and other texts.

   - Ancient Rome and Greece: Translating works of Homer and other Greek authors into Latin.

   - Rosetta Stone (196 BCE): A trilingual inscription that helped decipher Egyptian hieroglyphs.

2. Medieval Period:

   - Translation of Religious Texts:

     - Septuagint (3rd-1st century BCE): Translation of Hebrew Scriptures into Greek.

     - Vulgate (4th century CE): Latin translation of the Bible by St. Jerome.

   - Arabic Translations: During the Islamic Golden Age, translating Greek philosophical and scientific works into Arabic.

3. Renaissance:

   - Renewed interest in classical texts, leading to translations of Greek and Roman literature.

   - Martin Luther’s translation of the Bible into German (1522-1534), making religious texts accessible to the general populace.

4. Modern Period:

   - Development of translation theories and the establishment of translation as an academic discipline in the 20th century.

   - Advances in technology, leading to machine translation and computer-assisted translation tools.

Types of Translation

Translation can be categorized in various ways based on the method, purpose, and type of text involved. Here, we focus on types of translation with special reference to John Dryden, a notable English poet, critic, and translator.

Types of Translation:

1. Interlingual Translation: This is the translation between two different languages. For instance, translating a book from English to Spanish. If you have an English novel and you want Spanish-speaking people to read it, you would translate the text into Spanish.

Example: Translating "Hello, how are you?" from English to French as "Bonjour, comment ça va ?".

2. Intralingual Translation: This involves translating within the same language, often to make something clearer or simpler. It can mean rephrasing or simplifying text to make it more understandable.

Example: Taking a complex legal document and rewriting it in simpler, everyday language. For instance, rephrasing "The defendant is hereby summoned to appear before the court" to "The person accused must come to court".

3. Intersemiotic Translation: This is the translation between different systems of signs, such as from text to images, or from verbal language to non-verbal symbols. It involves changing the form of communication but conveying a similar meaning.

Example: Turning a novel into a movie. The story (text) is translated into visual and auditory forms (film), where scenes, characters, and actions are depicted through visuals and sound rather than words.

Each type involves different methods of conveying meaning, depending on the medium and the audience's needs.

Here's a basic diagram to illustrate the three types of translation:

```

+-------------------------+

| Interlingual |

| (Different Languages) |

| |

| [English Text] ------> [Spanish Text] |

| |

+-------------------------+

+-------------------------+

| Intralingual |

| (Same Language) |

| |

| [Complex Legal Text] ------> [Simplified Text] |

| |

+-------------------------+

+-------------------------+

| Intersemiotic |

| (Different Systems) |

| |

| [Text] ------> [Images/Film] |

| |

+-------------------------+

```

- Interlingual Translation: Translation between different languages (e.g., English to Spanish).

- Intralingual Translation: Simplifying or rephrasing within the same language (e.g., complex legal text to plain language).

- Intersemiotic Translation: Changing the form of communication, such as converting text into visual or auditory forms (e.g., book to movie).

1. Word-for-Word Translation:

   - Directly translating each word from the source language to the target language.

   - Often leads to awkward or unclear translations as it doesn't consider context or idiomatic expressions.

2. Literal Translation:

   - Similar to word-for-word but slightly more flexible, considering some context to make the translation readable.

3. Free Translation:

   - Prioritizes conveying the meaning and intent of the original text over direct word correspondence.

   - Allows for more creativity and adaptation to the target language and culture.

4. Idiomatic Translation:

   - Translates phrases and idioms in a way that makes sense in the target language, even if the words are different.

   - Aims to produce a text that feels natural to native speakers of the target language.

John Dryden's Classification:

John Dryden, in his preface to the translation of Ovid's "Epistles" (1680), proposed a classification of translation methods which remains influential. He identified three types:

1. Metaphrase:

   - Corresponds to word-for-word translation.

   - Sticks closely to the structure and words of the original text.

   - Example: Translating Latin phrase "Carpe Diem" as "Seize the Day."

2. Paraphrase:

   - Corresponds to free translation.

   - Aims to convey the sense and meaning of the original text rather than its exact words.

   - Example: Translating the essence of a poem to preserve its emotional impact, even if the words and structure change.

3. Imitation:

   - A more liberal form of paraphrase where the translator freely adapts the text, often making significant changes.

   - Example: Translating a classical work and adapting its themes to a contemporary setting or audience.

Dryden favored paraphrase for its balance between fidelity to the source text and the need for readability and naturalness in the target language.

Examples

1. Word-for-Word Translation Example:

   - Source: "Elle est allée au marché."

   - Word-for-word: "She is gone to the market."

   - More natural: "She went to the market."

2. Free Translation Example:

   - Source: "Il pleut des cordes." (French idiom)

   - Literal: "It's raining ropes."

   - Free: "It's raining cats and dogs."

3. Dryden's Paraphrase Example:

   - Original Latin (Horace): "Vitae summa brevis spem nos vetat incohare longam."

   - Dryden's Paraphrase: "The shortness of life prevents us from entertaining far-off hopes."

Conclusion

Translation Studies is a dynamic and essential field that bridges cultures and languages. Understanding its definition, scope, history, and various types, especially through the lens of influential figures like John Dryden, provides insight into the complexities and importance of translation in our interconnected world.

Colonial studies, post-colonial studies, and gender studies intersect with translation studies in significant ways. Here’s how these connections unfold:

Colonial and Post-Colonial Studies in Translation

1. Language as Power: During colonial times, the colonizers often imposed their languages on the colonized, leading to a dominance of European languages in education, administration, and literature. Translation studies examine how this linguistic imperialism affected the transmission of knowledge and culture.

2. Representation and Voice: Post-colonial translation studies focus on how texts from colonized cultures are translated into dominant languages, often highlighting issues of misrepresentation and silencing of indigenous voices. Theories from post-colonial studies help to critique and understand these dynamics.

3. Cultural Hybridity: Post-colonial theory’s concept of cultural hybridity is crucial in translation, as translators often navigate between cultures, creating hybrid texts that blend elements from both the source and target cultures.

4. Resistance and Reclamation: Translation can be a form of resistance, reclaiming and revalorizing suppressed or marginalized languages and literatures. Translators may use strategies to resist colonial influences and highlight indigenous perspectives.

Gender Studies in Translation

1. Gendered Language: Gender studies examine how language reflects and reinforces gender norms. In translation, this means considering how gendered language and biases in the source text are handled in the target language, ensuring that translations do not perpetuate sexist stereotypes.

2. Feminist Translation: This approach emphasizes the importance of highlighting women’s voices and perspectives in translation. It challenges patriarchal norms in language and seeks to make women’s contributions visible.

3. Intersectionality: Gender studies’ focus on intersectionality – how different social categories like race, gender, and class intersect – informs translation studies by encouraging translators to be mindful of these complex identities and how they are represented in texts.

4. Queer Theory and Translation: Queer theory, a subset of gender studies, explores issues related to sexuality and non-normative identities. Translation studies integrate these insights to address how LGBTQ+ issues are represented and translated, ensuring inclusivity and sensitivity.

 Practical Examples

- Translating Post-Colonial Literature: When translating works by post-colonial authors, translators must navigate cultural nuances, historical contexts, and political undertones to faithfully convey the author's intended meaning and perspective.

- Feminist Translation Practices: Feminist translators might choose to make explicit the gendered aspects of a text that are downplayed in the original, or they may use strategies to emphasize female agency and perspectives.

- Queer Narratives: Translating queer literature requires an understanding of how different cultures perceive and articulate sexuality and gender, ensuring that the translation respects and accurately represents the queer experience.

In essence, the theories from colonial, post-colonial, and gender studies enrich translation studies by providing critical frameworks that help translators to navigate the complex interplay of language, power, identity, and culture.

Works Cited

Dryden, John. Ovid’s Epistles: Translated by Several Hands. Edited by Samuel Garth, 1680.

Munday, Jeremy. Introducing Translation Studies: Theories and Applications. 4th ed., Routledge, 2016.

Pym, Anthony. Exploring Translation Theories. 2nd ed., Routledge, 2014.

Venuti, Lawrence. The Translator's Invisibility: A History of Translation. 2nd ed., Routledge, 2008.

Wakabayashi, Judy, and Rita Kothari, editors. Decentering Translation Studies: India and Beyond. John Benjamins Publishing Company, 2009.