مقدمة في الترجمة: تعريفها والتكافؤ في الترجمة Introduction to Translation: definition & equivalence

Summary

The transcript provides an in-depth exploration of the theory of translation, focusing on the concept of equivalence. It explains that translation involves more than just converting words from one language to another; it requires preserving meaning while adapting to the target language. The script outlines three main types of equivalence: formal, functional, and conceptual, each serving different translation needs. It also discusses how the context, such as the genre of the text and the target audience, influences the choice of equivalence. The importance of cultural and contextual factors in translation is emphasized throughout.

Takeaways

• 😀 Translation is the process of transferring text from one language (source language) to another (target language) while preserving the original meaning.
• 😀 The goal of translation is to ensure that the message remains unchanged and is accurately conveyed to the target audience.
• 😀 Translation deals with two languages: the source language (the original language) and the target language (the language to which the text is translated).
• 😀 A translator must achieve equivalence in translation, which can be of three types: formal equivalence, functional equivalence, and conceptual (or dynamic) equivalence.
• 😀 Formal equivalence focuses on maintaining the structure of the original text without considering the target language's conventions.
• 😀 Functional equivalence aims to convey the meaning of the source text by using corresponding terms or phrases that are commonly used in the target language.
• 😀 Conceptual equivalence (or dynamic equivalence) involves explaining the meaning of the source text in simple terms without directly translating the structure or finding an exact term in the target language.
• 😀 An example of formal equivalence: translating a phrase literally, such as 'giving someone a deaf ear', where the phrase remains unchanged.
• 😀 An example of functional equivalence: translating an idiom like 'turning a blind eye' into its equivalent Arabic expression 'عرض الحائط'.
• 😀 Translators decide which type of equivalence to use based on the context and the target audience. For formal texts (like legal or religious), formal equivalence is preferred; for literary texts, functional equivalence is often used.

Q & A

What is the definition of translation according to the script?

Translation is the process of replacing a text in one language (the source language) with an equivalent text in another language (the target language), ensuring the meaning is conveyed correctly without altering the original intent.

What are the two main languages involved in translation?

The two main languages involved in translation are the source language (Sourcelanguage) and the target language (Targetlanguage). The source language is the original language of the text, and the target language is where the text is being translated to.

What is the importance of maintaining equivalence in translation?

Maintaining equivalence in translation is crucial because it ensures that the message of the original text is accurately conveyed in the target language, preserving the meaning and intent of the source material.

What are the three types of equivalence discussed in the transcript?

The three types of equivalence in translation discussed are: formal equivalence, functional equivalence, and conceptual (or imaginative) equivalence.

What is formal equivalence in translation?

Formal equivalence focuses on maintaining the exact structure and form of the original text, without adapting it to fit the cultural or idiomatic expressions of the target language.

Can you give an example of formal equivalence in translation?

An example of formal equivalence is translating 'gave Samy a deaf ear to his mother's advice' as 'أعطى سامي أذن صماء لنصيحة والدته,' keeping the literal form of the original phrase.

What is functional equivalence in translation?

Functional equivalence involves conveying the meaning and function of the source text in a way that makes sense in the target language, even if it requires using different expressions or idioms.

What is an example of functional equivalence?

An example of functional equivalence is translating the English idiom 'turning a blind eye' into Arabic as 'ضرب عرض الحائط,' which conveys the same meaning but uses a culturally relevant expression in the target language.

What is conceptual (or imaginative) equivalence in translation?

Conceptual or imaginative equivalence is when the translator doesn't focus on form or finding an exact idiomatic match, but instead explains or simplifies the meaning of the source text to ensure the message is understood.

Can you give an example of conceptual equivalence?

An example of conceptual equivalence would be translating 'moving heaven and earth' to 'سيبذل مجد قصارى جهده' in Arabic, which conveys the effort involved without using the exact expression from the source text.

How does the type of text affect the choice of equivalence in translation?

The type of text determines the approach to equivalence. For instance, legal and religious texts require formal equivalence to preserve accuracy, while literary texts may benefit from functional equivalence to maintain style and tone.

Why does the target audience influence the choice of equivalence in translation?

The target audience influences the choice of equivalence because the translator must consider cultural and contextual factors to ensure the message is accurately and appropriately understood by the intended readers.

How does the choice of equivalence differ when translating news or media content?

For news or media content, conceptual equivalence is often preferred to ensure the information is clearly understood by a wide audience, especially when translating names or terms that may have different cultural meanings.