Translation: An Introduction (Part 1)

Summary

In this introductory lecture on translation, Karan Muhammad, a university professor, explores the core concepts of translation, its history, and the essential distinctions between translation and interpretation. He delves into the etymology of translation, its definitions from multiple perspectives, and its evolution over the centuries, from early written texts in Mesopotamia to modern-day machine translation. The lecture also highlights key concepts such as the translator’s role, context, and tools, and emphasizes the differences in skills and personality traits required for translators and interpreters. This video serves as an essential foundation for understanding translation.

Takeaways

• 😀 Translation originates from the Latin words 'trans' and 'latum,' meaning to carry across or bring across meaning from one language to another.
• 😀 The definition of translation varies: it can be seen as a process (transferring meanings from one language to another) and a product (the final translated text).
• 😀 Translation history dates back to ancient Mesopotamia, where the first written text, the Epic of Gilgamesh, was translated into different languages.
• 😀 In Egypt, translations were needed due to political and religious reasons, translating texts into Greek.
• 😀 The rise of the Roman Church in the 3rd century brought about widespread Bible translations into various languages.
• 😀 The House of Wisdom in 8th-century Baghdad played a crucial role in translating texts from Greek, Persian, and Indian sources into Arabic.
• 😀 The Industrial Revolution in the 18th century improved the speed and formalization of translation through the invention of printing and content distribution.
• 😀 In the 20th century, machine translation (e.g., in New York) emerged, leading to faster and automated translation processes.
• 😀 The internet boom in the 1990s led to the creation of online translation tools like Google Translate and Microsoft Translate.
• 😀 Key concepts in translation include understanding the translator's role, the source and target languages, and the context in which the text was produced.
• 😀 The difference between translation and interpretation is primarily in language form: translators deal with written text, while interpreters handle spoken language. Translators need more attention to detail, while interpreters need to excel at communication and working under pressure.

Q & A

What is the etymology of the word 'translation'?

The word 'translation' is derived from the Latin language, composed of two parts: 'trans', meaning 'to carry across', and 'latus', meaning 'meaning' or 'to bring across'. It refers to the process of transferring the meaning of words from one language to another.

How does Foster (1958) define translation?

Foster (1958) defines translation as the communication of meaning of a source language text by means of an equivalent target language text. This definition is limited as it does not fully address all aspects of translation.

What are the two concepts C for (1995) uses to define translation?

C for (1995) defines translation in terms of two concepts: the 'process' of transferring meanings, ideas, or emotions from the source language to the target language, and the 'product', which is the translated text that results from this process.

What is the definition of translation according to the speaker?

According to the speaker, translation is the mental process of rendering the meaning, ideas, or messages of a text from one language to another without causing any loss to the original text.

When did the first translations occur historically?

The first translations occurred after humans began reading and writing, particularly in Mesopotamia. One of the earliest written texts was the 'Epic of Gilgamesh', which was translated into other ancient languages.

How did translation evolve in the Roman Empire and early Christianity?

During the Roman Empire, particularly in Egypt, translation was used for political and religious purposes, such as translating inscriptions into Greek. In the early Christian period, translation was crucial for spreading the Bible into various languages.

What role did Baghdad's House of Wisdom play in translation?

In the 8th century, Baghdad's House of Wisdom, under the rule of Caliph al-Mun, became a major center for translation, where works from Greek, Persian, Indian, and Syrian sources were translated into Arabic.

How did the Industrial Revolution affect translation?

The Industrial Revolution in the 18th century improved the process of printing and distributing texts, which made translation faster and more formalized, allowing for wider distribution and easier access to translated materials.

What is the difference between translation and interpretation?

The primary difference is that translation deals with written language, while interpretation deals with spoken language. Translators require deep grammatical and linguistic knowledge, while interpreters need excellent verbal communication skills and the ability to work under pressure.

What are some key concepts essential to translation?

Some key concepts in translation include understanding the source and target languages, knowing the context of the text (author, genre, audience), maintaining equivalence between words and meaning, and using tools like CAT (Computer-Assisted Translation) for better accuracy.