S.S 1.2 (Equivalence and other issues in translation studies) Flashcards
Same worth or function (Equivalence)
The idea that what we say in one language can have the same value when it is translated into another.
Equal value
The relation between the ST and the translation is then one of equivalence.
The equivalence relation is at the level of
Form.
Function.
And anything in between.
Equivalence
Languages are not the same, but their values can be the same.
Form
Refers to the shape or the appearance of the linguistic unit in contrast to its content.
Content
Refers to the level of lexical and semantic meaning of an expression.
The relationship between form and content
Complete opposites.
Meaning can often be translated, but not form.
Untranslatability
As soon as form contributes to the content then the text cannot be translated.
Literal Translation
Word-for-word.
Form/style.
Tends to preserve formal features by default, with little regard to context meaning or what is implied by a given utterances.
Free Translation
Sense-for-sense.
Sense/content.
Relationship between literal and free translation
Do not often form a strict dichotomy.
Regarded as the opposite ends of the same cline.
Formal Equivalence
Structural correspondence.
The purely ‘formal’ replacement of one word or phrase in the SL by another in the TL.
Not the same as Literal Translation.
Almost always contextually motivated.
Formal features are preserves only if they carry contextual values that become part of overall text meaning.
Deliberate ambiguity in the ST.
Form-bound.
Dynamic Equivalence
Used when the ST needs some explication and adjustment.
To promote comprehensibility when formal equivalence can lead to unmotivated opaqueness.
Text more content-bound than form-bound.
Form-bound a meaning is
A case of ambiguity through word play.
The more formal the equivalence relation will have to be.
Content-bound a meaning is
An obscure reference to source culture.
The more dynamic the equivalence will have to be.
Adjustment
Is the gradual move away from form-by-form renderings and towards more dynamic kinds of equivalence.
May have to re-order an entire sequence of sentences.
Also needed to cope with the wide range of purpose which translations might serve.
Adjustment techniques
Redundancy. Explicating. Repetition. Gisting. Compensation.
How to choose between literal, formal or dynamic?
The choice must always be contextually motivated.
Entails the intention to produce certain rhetorical effects using language is a conscious deliberate manner for that purpose.
Language (Formal correspondence)
Pertains to the linguistic system.
Stable.
Links to Chomsky’s concept competence.
Parole (Dynamic equivalence)
Pertains to actual language use.
Variable.
Links to Chomsky’s concept of performance.
3 Types of text
Informative text.
Expressive text.
Operative text.
Translatability
Is a relative notion and has to do with the extent to which, despite obvious differences in linguistic structure, meaning can still be adequately expresses across language.
Translationese
When the language of the TT is influenced strongly by the language of the ST.
Language of the TT.
Used to indicate a stilted form of the TL from the TL from calquing ST lexical or syntactic patterning.
