Translation: An Introduction (part 2)

Summary

In this lecture, Professor Karan Muhammad discusses key translation strategies, including literal, free, metaphorical, and pre-translation. Literal translation involves conveying the exact meaning of words and phrases, while free translation focuses on delivering the intended message without concern for syntax or style. Metaphorical translation emphasizes finding equivalent expressions in the target language, especially in literary texts. Pre-translation is used for summarizing content. The lecture also covers practical steps for novice translators, such as reading the text, identifying unknown terms, and reviewing the translation to ensure accuracy and clarity.

Takeaways

• 😀 Literal translation is the oldest type of translation, focusing on conveying the dictionary meaning of words and phrases.
• 😀 Literal translation works best when the source and target languages have similar semantics and sentence structures.
• 😀 Free translation focuses on conveying the intended meaning of the original text, sometimes at the expense of syntax or morphology.
• 😀 Free translation is used when literal translations fail to be effective or engaging for the audience.
• 😀 An example of free translation: 'Honesty is the best policy' may need to be reworded to make it more impactful in the target language.
• 😀 Metaphorical translation involves finding the metaphorical equivalence in the target language, often used in literary works, proverbs, and idiomatic expressions.
• 😀 Metaphorical translation requires understanding both the context and culture of the source and target languages.
• 😀 For example, the phrase 'charity begins at home' is translated metaphorically in Arabic to preserve its meaning.
• 😀 Pre-translation focuses on summarizing the main points of the source text, ignoring details deemed irrelevant or unimportant.
• 😀 Translators should follow a series of steps: 1) Skim the text for general understanding, 2) Read carefully for clarity, 3) Look up unknown terms, 4) Translate literally if possible, 5) Review and correct the text for mistakes.

Q & A

What is literal translation, and when is it used?

Literal translation is the process of translating words and phrases based on their dictionary meaning without altering the structure of the source language. It is used when there is a clear correspondence between the languages in terms of meaning and sentence structure.

What are the limitations of literal translation?

The main limitation of literal translation is that it may not always convey the intended meaning effectively. This is especially true when translating idiomatic expressions or cultural references, where the literal translation can sound awkward or unnatural.

What is free translation, and why is it important?

Free translation is a method where the translator conveys the intended meaning of the source text, disregarding aspects like syntax, morphology, or style. It is used when literal translation does not make the text appealing or understandable to the audience.

Can you give an example where free translation is necessary?

An example is the phrase 'honesty is the best policy.' A literal translation might not convey the intended impact in another language. In free translation, the emphasis is on delivering the core message effectively and powerfully.

What is metaphorical translation, and when is it applied?

Metaphorical translation is the process of translating idiomatic expressions or metaphors by finding the equivalent metaphor in the target language. It is commonly used in literary works, proverbs, and idiomatic phrases, requiring an understanding of both the source and target cultures.

Why are context and culture important in metaphorical translation?

Context and culture are crucial in metaphorical translation because metaphors often have meanings that are deeply rooted in the culture of the language. A metaphor may not make sense if translated literally without considering cultural nuances.

What is an example of metaphorical translation?

The phrase 'charity begins at home' in English, when translated literally into Arabic, might be weak in meaning. The metaphorical translation would involve finding an idiomatic equivalent that conveys the same cultural understanding.

What is pre-translation, and when is it used?

Pre-translation is a strategy used by translators to provide a summarized version of the source text, focusing on the main ideas while omitting less important details. It is often used when the full text is not necessary for understanding the main message.

How does pre-translation differ from literal or free translation?

Unlike literal or free translation, which aim to convey the entire message or meaning of a text, pre-translation simplifies the source text by highlighting only the core points, leaving out detailed or less relevant information.

What steps should a novice translator follow to effectively translate a text?

A novice translator should: 1) Skim the text for the general idea, 2) Read it carefully to ensure full understanding, 3) Identify unknown words and look them up, 4) Translate it literally, 5) If needed, adapt the translation using other strategies, and 6) Review the translation for grammatical and stylistic errors.