4.2 Translation types
Translation typically has been used to transfer written or spoken SL texts to
equivalent written or spoken TL texts. In general, the purpose of translation is to
reproduce various kinds of texts—including religious, literary, scientific, and
philosophical texts—in another language and thus making them available to
wider readers.
Newmark (1988b) mentions the difference between translation methods and
translation procedures. He writes that, "While translation methods relate to
whole texts, translation procedures are used for sentences and the smaller units
of language" (p.81). He goes on to refer to the following methods of translation:
Word-for-word translation: the SL word order is preserved and the words
translated singly by their most common meanings, out of context. Cultural
words are translated literally. The main use of this method is either to
understand the structures of the SL or to analyze a difficult and complex text as
a pre-translation process
Literal translation: Literal translation is a broader form of translation each SL
word as a corresponding TL word, but their primary meaning may differ. The
SL grammatical constructions are converted to their nearest TL equivalents, but
the lexical words are again translated singly, out of context. Literal translation is
considered the basic translation step, both in communicative and semantic
translation, in that translation starts form there. As pre translation process, it
indicates problems to be solved.
Faithful translation: it attempts to produce the precise contextual meaning of
the original within the constraints of the TL grammatical structures. It transfers
cultural words and preserves the degree of grammatical and lexical deviation
form SL norms. It attempts to be completely faithful to the intentions and the
text realization of the SL writer.
Semantic translation: It differs from 'faithful translation' only in as far as it must
take more account of the aesthetic value of the SL text. The distinction between
―faithful‖ and ―semantic‖ translation is that the first is uncompromising and
dogmatic, while the second is more flexible.
Adaptation: It is the freest form of translation, and is used mainly for plays
(comedies) and poetry; the themes, characters, plots are usually preserved, the
SL culture is converted to the TL culture and the text is rewritten.
Free translation: it produces the TL text without the style, form, or content of
the original. Usually, it is a paraphrase much longer than the original. Therefore,
the advantage is that the text in TL sounds more natural. On the contrary, the
disadvantage is that translating is too casual to understand the original because
of its freedom.
Idiomatic translation: it reproduces the 'message' of the original but tends to
distort nuances of meaning by preferring colloquialisms and idioms where these
do not exist in the original.
Communicative translation: it attempts to render the exact contextual meaning
of the original in such a way that both content and language are readily
acceptable and comprehensible to the readership (1988b: 45-47). ―But even here
the translator still has to respect and work on the form of the source language
text as the only material basis of this work‖ (Peter Newmark, 1982:39)
In conclusion, because of the difference in grammar of English nominal clause
and Vietnamese equivalence, so that the translating method is different.
SL TL
Word – for - word
Literal
Faithful
Free
Idiomatic
Semantic
Communicative
Adaptation
Adaptation translation is the most effective method to transfer the meaning of
English nominal clause into Vietnamese equivalence.
Bạn đang xem 4. - THE STUDY ON ENGLISH NOMINAL CLAUSE AND VIETNAMESE EQUIVALENCE