Uncertainty and the translator’s personality Anthony Pym

The story so far… Equivalence paradigm: reproduce the values of the ST Skopos paradigm: achieve the purpose required by the client –equivalence becomes a special case. Descriptive Translation Studies: equivalence is everywhere. Indeterminist paradigm: there is no equivalence

The form of a decision ST = TT1, TT2, TT3… TTn Select just one TT, quickly and with justified (ethical) confidence Indeterminacy: There is no rule for deciding between alternative TTs (when there is a rule it concerns grammar or terminology) A translation solution: “Right, but…”; “Wrong, but…”

The indeterminacy of translation (Quine) Gavagai? Kangaroo? gangurru ‘large grey kangaroo’ nharrgali ‘large red kangaroo’ wudul ‘whip-tail kangaroo’ bibal ‘small scrub kangaroo’

Two kinds of indeterminacy Translations are always inadequate to their sources (“similarity” and not equivalence). (Chesterman) Indeterminacy is already in the source (deconstruction) (Arrojo)

Semiosis: Roman Jakobson “The meaning of a sign is it translation into some further, alternative sign.” (Jakobson) Translation creates meaning. Translation creates equivalence?

Deconstruction Indeterminacy is at the “source”. There is no “transcendental signified”. Translation means transformation.

What kind of indeterminacy is this?

The fat major’s wife (Nida) What kind of indeterminacy is this? Flying planes can be dangerous. The fat major’s wife (Nida) Kernel 1: The wife of the fat major. Kernel 2: Of all the wives of majors, this is the one who is fat.

What kind of indeterminacy is this? ‘The United States acknowledges that Chinese on both sides of the Taiwan Straits maintain that there is only one China, and that Taiwan is a part of China’. 1972 China-US Shanghai Communiqué People in PR China say that Taiwan is part of China. People on Taiwan say that all of China belongs to them and so Taiwan is part of China.

What kind of indeterminacy is this? ‘The Government of the United States of America acknowledges the Chinese position that there is but one China and Taiwan is part of China.’ acknowledge =“认识到 (ren shi dao)” (“to understand”) acknowledge =“承认 (cheng ren) (“to recognize”, “to agree”)

Tolerance of ambiguity (Budner 1962) Novelty: I would like to live in a foreign country for a while. What we are used to is always preferable to what is unfamiliar. A person who leads a regular, even life with few surprises has a lot to be grateful for. I like parties where I know most of the people rather than ones where all or most of the people are complete strangers.

Tolerance of ambiguity (Budner 1962) Insolubility: An expert who doesn’t come with a definite answer probably doesn’t know too much. There is really no such thing as a problem that can’t be solved. Most of our important decisions are based on insufficient information.

Tolerance of ambiguity (Budner 1962, Herman et al. 2010) Complexity: People who fit their lives to a schedule probably miss most of the joy of living. A good job is one where what is to be done and how it is to be done are always clear. The sooner we all acquire similar values and ideals the better. Teachers or supervisors who hand out vague assignments give one a chance to show initiative and originality.

Tolerance of indeterminacy? Gavagai? Novelty: Travel to a new country. Insolubility: There is no absolute certitude. Complexity: There is no limit to the questions, and no guarantee of truth.

Tolerance of indeterminacy? High positive correlations with: Openness Extraversion Self-efficacy High negative correlations with: Anxiety Perfectionism

Tolerance of indeterminacy? A predictor of success in learning languages. High in people who know many languages. Correlates with a certain kind of creativity?

Expertise in translating? Rosiers & Eyckman (2017): Expert interpreters have higher TA than novice interpreters (p=0.005) Expert translators have lower TA than novice translators (p=0.570) Contradicting Fraser 1996, 2000, Tirkkonen-Condit 2000

Pirouznik (in progress)

Jensen on Knowledge Telling vs. Knowledge Transforming: Translators are not simply tolerant Jensen on Knowledge Telling vs. Knowledge Transforming: Expert translators use the Knowledge Telling model as a more permanent strategy since they “engage in less problem-solving, goal-setting and re-analyzing behavior vis-à-vis young professional translators” (Jensen 2001: 177).

Catford on where indeterminism stops: Translators are not simply tolerant Catford on where indeterminism stops: “The discovery of textual equivalents is based on the authority of a competent bilingual informant or translator.” (1965: 27) The translator authorizes the translation. Translators assume authority.

What is the opposite of tolerance of ambiguity? Intolerance of ambiguity is a feature of the authoritarian personality. It derives inability to face emotional ambivalence. “Values and religion are often taken over in their most dogmatic form.”

How to live with uncertainty Believe in revelation. Apply norms and regulations. Learn through trial and error (empiricism). Be literal (avoid risks). Take calculated risks (while appearing trustworthy and authoritative).

How to live with uncertainty

Final questions Does indeterminacy undermine all other theories? Does equivalence survive at points where indeterminacy is low? Do different kinds of utterance have different levels of indeterminacy?