Глава 6topic 13: precision and basis information, their distinctions and importance for interpretation adequacy

Woe to the makers of literal translations, who by rendering every word weaken the meaning! It is indeed by so doing that we can say the letter kills and the spirit gives life.

Voltaire

13.1. Constituents of Precision and Basis Information

There are two types of information every interpreter should distinguish: precision information (PI) and basis information (BI). In its turn PI is subdivided into: numerical PI which includes figures, dates, numerals, etc., and letter PI, which includes proper names, titles, positions, etc.

Precision information is the basis and essence of interpretation, without its precise delivery communication becomes very difficult.

PI in written translation and in translation from the sheet of paper does not cause any difficulty, but in oral interpretation it is the most difficult for remembering and reproduction. This is explained by the fact that it is immaterial. In order to increase the interpretation adequacy in rendering PI one should focus his attention just on precision words and create foundation for his memory by using symbols/signs of interpretation note-making. One more difficulty of PI is in the fact, that it almost always is something new, unknown – after all the variants of combinations of figures and letters are unlimited. PI usually does not subject to any lexical or grammatical transformations; it should be rendered with maximum precision.

Basis information (BI) includes notions, concepts, news and data, well known and easily recognized, understood and remembered in interpretation. BI arouses concrete associations and makes the most important part of erudition (background knowledge) of an interpreter.

As distinct from PI, basis information is something familiar, known and serves as a helper and support in interpretation.

Basis information is divided into:

In letter: familiar and recognized proper names, titles, terms, trade marks;

Numerical: well-known dates, economic and mathematical formulas, indices, and readings, data, etc.

Unlike PI basis information is more subjective and specific: someone knows more in one sphere, someone (interpreter) else – in another, somebody has broader erudition and deeper and so on.

It is necessary in every way to broaden and diversify the volume and quality of BI, aspiring for the new precision information become basis, familiar. This process should go on constantly.

Basis information is obtained from different sources, both in the sphere of main activity (interpretation or another), and outside it, with using different channels (audio, text, visual, etc.) in order to have more diverse information on the tip of your tongue.

13.2. Rendering pi in the Process of Interpretation

Non-fiction or technical texts contain a considerable number of terms, clichés, stock phrases and precision words (numerals and proper names). It’s not difficult to translate PI from the sheet; on the contrary, when PI is translated orally, and as far as it carries the main information load, its translation causes tremendous difficulties, and as a rule, does not allow any omissions or distortions. To avoid this, it’s desirable to use translation notes.

PI is always something new, which is difficult to remember. But the more the interpreter knows about facts of the matter and corresponding terms, the better is his understanding of economical or market trends, market laws, the more comfortable he feels in regards the material (names of corporations, brands of goods, etc.), the quicker PI will change into BI (i.e. something which very familiar, which does not require much effort to remember and translate).

Terms in English are rather ambiguous, consequently, apart from knowing basics of science and engineering, context (narrow and broad) is of great importance, as well as guess, interpreter’s skill to orient himself in situation, keenness of wit, just common sense and sometimes good luck.