28. Methods of translation-direct and oblique.

Different methods seem to be countless so it’s easier to divide the tr-tion into 2 groups. DIRECT (literal) AND OBLIQUE.

In some tr-tion tasks it may be possible to render the SL message element by element into the TL because it is based either on parallel categories (structural parallelism) or parallel concepts which are the result of meta-linguistic parallelism. But there are always gaps that must be filled & a tr-tor should aware of that. When we deal with gaps, the simplest procedure is to borrow some element so it would not be necessary to discuss borrowings, but we should do it because in some cases they can be used to supply the necessary flavor into tr-tion.

Challenges: I looked her in the eye. – Я посмотрел ей в глаза.

Borrowing, the simplest, is used to introduce the flavor of SL culture in the translation (foreign language or terms). Such words are not felt as borrowings any more (datcha, tete-a-tete). Many borrowings enter the language through translation? false friends.

Calque is a special kind of borrowings (translation of elements). The result is lexical or structural calque (ex. Дворец культуры-palace of culture). Structural calque – introduction of a new construction into language (ты в порядке? – are you ok?). Many become integral part of the language.

Literal translation. Conditions are quite rare, because literal translation (word for word) is the

DIRECT:

Literary (word for word) – direct transfer of a SL text into a grammatically & idiomatically appropriate TL text in which the tr-tor’s task is limited to observing the adherence of the structures to the linguistic models of the expression of the TL.

Ex. The train starts at 10.30. – Поезд отправляется в 10.30

Where did you see him? – Где вы его видели?

Literal tr-tion is most common when tr-ting btw 2 lang of the same family, but there are scholars, who insist that literary tr-tion is practically the only form of translation, which should exist, and all the other cases tr-tion is impossible, and the rendering of meaning in these cases is the matter of approximation. And it’s better to call this rendering not translation, but retelling.

Literal translation is absolutely impossible when there are conceptual gaps that need to be compensated for. Ex. – cheese – творог, сыр. Curdles – творог иногда..

We’ve learned 3 procedures that characterize the method of direct translation. If after trying all 3 procedures a tr-tor finds literal tr-tion unacceptable, he must turn to an oblique method. by unacceptable we mean that when translated literary, the message: 1-gives another meaning or has no meaning. 2-is structurally impossible. 3-doesn’t have a corresponding expression within the culture system of the TL & TL culture. (Ex. – he looked at the map – possible/ he looked the very picture of a healthy man – impossible)

OBLIQUE:

Transposition involves the replacing one w. class with another without changing the meaning of message. Ex. «It rains a lot» - «часто идут дожди». In this case Russian allows no choice b/w the forms. Ex «сразу же по возвращению»= «as soon as he returns». Transposition is a good means to avoid ambiguity. From stylistical point of view the base & the transposed expressions don’t necessarily have the same value.

Modulation is a variation of the form of the message obtained by the change of the point of view. This change may be justified when translation results in a grammatically correct utterance but still is considered unsuitable unidiomatic or awkward in TL. Modulations can be free & fixed. The difference is one of degree. In the case of fixed tr-tors with good knowledge of both lang & cultures freely use this method as they are aware of the frequency of use & overall acceptance & the confrontation, provided by the dictionary. «It’s not difficult to show» - «это не трудно продемонстрировать, это легко показать». W.S. Maughm “salvatore” – he has a pleasant ugly face – у него было приятное лицо, хотя черты его не отличались правильностью. (modulation – fixed; coz we have 2 phrases that from the 1 sight cant be used together)

Equivalence. The same situation may be rendered differently by 2 texts using completely different stylisical & structural methods.

Classical example of equivalence is your reaction to certain unpleasant manifestations of life. «Ой,ой» = «Ouch!oops!» «кис-кис» = «puss-puss». More often they are not of syntagmatic nature. As a result more equivalences belong to idioms, cliches, proverbs. «It’s raining cats & dogs»; «To talk through one’s hat» = «бубнить».

Adaptation, we reach the extreme limit of translation. When the type of situation is unknown in target culture - create a new situation that can be considered as being equivalent. Special kind of situational equivalence. Adaptations are frequent in translation of books & films’ titles (ex sitting pretty – Ловко устроился, die hard – крепкий орешек). Adaptation influences not only the syntactical structure but also the development of ideas.