Application of Translation Theory to non-literary texts Belinda Maia Universidade do Porto

Translation Theory Linguistic theories - at different levels: –general lexicon –terminology –syntax and semantics –sentence organization and word order –text organization

Translation Theory Literary theory Cultural studies Philosophy Translation Studies –function of original –function of translation –context of translation process

Reality! Literary translation does not earn one a living! Literary translation accounts for about 5% of translation done annually in the world Real-life translation is very varied

Questions Is real-life translation boring? Consider the semantics of Bore/Boring How does one become interested in anything - and everything? How far do translation curricula prepare one being interested in everything?

A suggestion ROBINSON, Douglas Becoming a Translator: An Accelerated Course. London and New York: Routledge.

Translation - the User’s view Robinson (1997:6) – External knowledge: “A non-translator (especially a monolingual reader in the target language who directly or indirectly pays for the translation – a client, a book-buyer) thinks and talks about translation from ouside the process, not knowing how it is done” but knowing a good translation when s/he sees one

User’s priorities Reliability Timeliness Cost

Textual Reliability What does the client want? –Literalism –Foreignism –Fluency –Summary –Commentary –Summary-commentary –Adaptation –Encryption

Points to ponder Think about the different circumstances of translating: –a letter –an agenda for tomorrow’s meeting –advertising copy –instruction manual –a tender –an academic textbook

Points to ponder Consider why different users want different types of translation Consider how translators are / should be responsible for interpreting their client’s requirements Refer back to translation theory

Translator reliability 1 Reliability with regard to the text –Attention to detail –Sensitivity to the user's needs –Research –Checking and Revising

Translator reliability 2 Reliability with regard to the client: –Versatility –Promises –Friendliness –Confidentiality –Hardware and software

Timeliness Consider time needed to translate from: –The user's points of view – yesterday! –The translator's point of view – approximately 10 pages per day? Consider importance of team work Consider using machine (assisted) translation

Cost VERY IMPORTANT! BUT – consider differences of opinion between User and Translator as influenced by their different perceptions of the work

The translator’s view Robinson (1997:6) – Internal knowledge: “A translator think and talks about translation from inside the process, knowing how it’s done, possessing a practical real-world sense of the problems involved, some solutions to those problems, and the limitations on those solutions”

Who are translators? Adapted from Robinson (1997:26-7) Do you think you want to be a full-time translator? Do you understand why ' translators and (especially) interpreters all have something of the actor in them'? Would you describe yourself as 'voracious and omnivorous readers' and 'hungry for real-world experience'? Do you pay attention to how people use language all about you? How multi-lingual and multi-cultural are you?

Professional Pride and Enjoyment Do you agree that 'most people... would rather take professional pride in a job that pays less than get rich doing things they don't believe in'? ( Robinson (1997:26-7) Reliability > Do you think that professional pride in reliability should override personal considerations?

Professional pride Involvement in the profession –What do you know about translator associations in Germany and Europe? –How do you think you can make contact with other translators? Raising the status of the profession –Is this necessary in Germany?

Ethics Would you translate texts: –You find offensive? –You disagree with religiously, politically and morally? –That are sexist? –That are anti-environmental? –ETC.?

Speed & Project Management How fast do you translate/ word-process? What alternatives are there to word- processing? Have you experience of Project Management? What other considerations need to be taken when you consider speed of work?

The process of translation

Working with people Do you prefer to work: –Alone at home? –In an office with a team? –In a ‘virtual’ team? Would you like administrative or public relations work in a translation company? What does such work entail?

Using technology Can you use: –Sophisticated Desktop Publishing software? –Translation memories? –Terminology databases? –Translator’s Workbench? –Machine translation?

Acquiring culture Describe your cultural interests. Do you follow the international news on the radio or television? Do you read serious newspapers? What are you reading at present? Describe your favourite books. Do you often read non-fiction? If so, what?

Exploring knowledge When asked to do specialized translation, what do you do? –Buy a specialized dictionary or glossary? –Ask the client for their terminology database/translation memory? –Consult the specialist on the terminology? –Collect and use specialized corpora? –Acquire specialized knowledge on the subject?

On-line information resources Dictionaries, glossaries On-line databases – e.g. CELEX, EURODICAUTOM etc Corpora Translator’s pages Specialized sites

Terminology research Robinson (1997:158)

Localization Localization = Translating software BUT it involves: –Translation –IT knowledge –Project Management –Teamwork See Esselink (2000) for more details

Multimedia & Translation Sub-titling Dubbing Voice over Hypertext Webpages

Translation Theory and Reality Would you agree that an appreciation of translation theory: –will improve a translator‘s ability to respond to a client‘s needs? –will make the process of translation more interesting? –will contribute to the translator‘s self-respect?

Bibliography ESSELINK, Bert A Practical Guide to Localization. John Benjamins MAIA, Belinda, Johann Haller & Margerhita Ulrych (eds.) Training the Language Services Provider for the New Millennium. Porto: FLUP. ROBINSON, Douglas Becoming a Translator: An Accelerated Course. London and New York: Routledge.

Links HLT Central: 83.shtml European Commission _en.htmhttp://europa.eu.int/comm/translation/theory/index _en.htm ETC.