Principles of Translation

Summary

In this video, the host discusses the principles of translation, focusing on the concepts introduced by Naida in 1975. These principles highlight that no translation can be an exact equivalent between source and target languages, and they involve three main conditions: loss, addition, and skewing of information. The video provides practical examples, comparing English to Indonesian translations, to demonstrate how information can be altered, omitted, or added in the translation process. By emphasizing the importance of understanding both languages and cultural contexts, the video helps viewers appreciate the complexities of translation.

Takeaways

• 😀 Translation is both an art and an intellectual process, involving thoughtful decision-making.
• 😀 The principles of translation, as explained by Naida in 1975, remain relevant today.
• 😀 Translation involves the idea that no translation can ever be a perfect equivalent between the source and target languages.
• 😀 There are three key principles of translation: loss of information, addition of information, and skewing of information.
• 😀 Loss of information occurs when the translation fails to capture all the details of the original message.
• 😀 Addition of information happens when extra details are introduced in the translation that weren’t present in the original.
• 😀 Skewing of information refers to situations where the meaning or nuance of the source language is distorted or altered in the translation.
• 😀 Science and knowledge are essential for measuring the implications of translation principles, with science referring to mastery of both languages involved and knowledge referring to an understanding of various fields of study.
• 😀 An example of loss of information is the English sentence 'She was said' being translated into Indonesian, where gender, family context, and tense are omitted.
• 😀 An example of addition of information is the translation of 'She was said' into Indonesian as 'Diya' (she), with additional context of past events or feelings.
• 😀 Skewing of information is seen in the translation of 'You are silly' from English to Indonesian, where the tone shifts from playful to offensive, distorting the intended meaning.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video script?

The main focus of the video script is explaining the principles of translation, based on Naida's 1975 explanation, and how these principles still apply today in translation practices.

Who proposed the principles of translation that are discussed in the video?

The principles of translation discussed in the video were proposed by Naida in 1975.

What are the three main aspects of translation principles mentioned in the video?

The three main aspects of translation principles are: 1) Loss of information, 2) Addition of information, and 3) Skewing of information.

What does 'loss of information' in translation refer to?

Loss of information in translation refers to cases where the translation does not fully capture all the information from the source language in the target language.

Can you provide an example of loss of information in translation?

An example of loss of information is when the sentence 'She was said' is translated into Indonesian as 'Dia Sadi'. Key elements such as family, gender, and past tense are omitted in the translation.

What does 'addition of information' in translation mean?

Addition of information in translation refers to when extra information is included in the translation that was not present in the original source language.

Can you give an example of 'addition of information' in translation?

An example of addition of information is translating 'She was said' into Indonesian as 'Dia Sadi'. The word 'Dia' adds extra information about the gender (she) and 'Sadi' refers to the past tense, providing additional details not present in the source sentence.

What is meant by 'skewing of information' in translation?

Skewing of information in translation occurs when the meaning or intent of the original text is distorted or altered in the target language, often leading to a change in the tone or implication of the message.

Can you provide an example of 'skewing of information' in translation?

An example of skewing of information is the English phrase 'You are silly' being translated into Indonesian as 'Kamu Tov'. The original English sentence is playful, implying a minor critique, but the Indonesian translation changes the tone, implying the addressee is foolish or stupid.

How do science and knowledge influence translation according to the video?

Science and knowledge are crucial in translation because they refer to the mastery of both the source and target languages, as well as the understanding of various fields of study. These elements help translators accurately convey meaning and context.