TRANSLATION
What does the word translation mean?
Definition of Translation
The translation is the transmission of written text from one language (the source) to another language (the target).
Different Approaches of Translation
Scholars like Theodore Savory define translation as an 'art'
while Eric Jacobsen calls it a 'craft' and yet others like
Eugene Nida describe it as a 'science'.
Science refers to an activity which is systematic and rule-governed which proceeds according to strict rules applied in a certain order and leading to expected results, is scientific in nature.
Craft, on the other hand is a skill where better and better results are obtained not by following set rules and regulations but by practice. Craft is primarily manual, that is to say it is practiced by hand.
Art is also a skill, but it is skill raised to a higher level where elements of beauty enter into it. Art evokes strong emotional responses too.
Pottery is a craft. Carving human figures on stone is also a craft. Because of practice and experimenting in different ways one may be able to calve out certain figures which may evoke strong feelings or emotions among those who see these figures.
This is art. It may follow certain procedures of carving or it may break those procedures. Each carver may set up his/her own rules. In this sense, art is different from both science and craft.
Certain groups of words are arranged in a definite manner. Only then they become well-formed sentences. So, translating is a science.
A translator has to make several adjustments in content, form and style of the original text for the following reasons :
a) for conveying the writer's message in the original faithfully,
b) for communicating with the reader according to author needs;
In addition to these reasons, a translator has to consider the nature of the text.
c) The translator will make different adjustments while translating a poem, on the one hand and a scientific text on the other
Different types of translations.
WORD-FOR- WORD TRANSLATION
In this type of translation, the primary unit of translation is the word. A substitute of each word in this source language is made from the target language and the order of words remains the same as in the source language.
This is based on the principle that while translating a text, no word should be left untranslated and word which does not occur in the original text should be included in the translated text.
Let us look at an example of this type of translation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrqo88uHaik
Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high;'
பயம் இல்லாமல் மனம் எங்கே இதயம் எங்கே அச்சமின்றி உள்ளதோ,
எங்கே தலை நிமிர்ந்து நிற்கிறதோ
Where knowledge is free;
Where the world has not been divided by narrow domestic walls;
அறிவு வளர்ச்சிக்குஎங்கே பூரணவிடுதலை உள்ளதோ,குடும்பத்தின் குறுகிய தடைப்பாடுகளால்வெளி உலகின் ஒருமைப்பாடுஎங்கே உடைபட்டுத்துண்டுகளாய்ப்போய்விட படவில்லையோ,
Where words emerge from the depths of truth;
Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection;
வாய்ச் சொற்கள் எங்கேமெய்நெறிகளின்அடிப்படையிலிருந்து
வெளிப்படையாய் வருகின்றனவோ,
Where the clear stream of reason has not been lost amid the dreary desert sands of dead habit
Where the mind is led forward into ever-widening thought and action;
Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake.
பாழடைந்த பழக்கம் என்னும் பாலை மணலில் வழி தவறிப் போய்விட வில்லையோ,நோக்கம் விரியவும்,ஆக்கவினை புரியவும்
இதயத்தை எங்கே வழிநடத்திச் செல்கிறாயோ,அந்த விடுதலைச் சுவர்க்க பூமியில் எந்தன் பிதாவே! விழித்தெழுக என் தேசம்!
Psalm 42
திருப்பாடல்கள்
As the deer longs for running streams,
so my soul longs for you, O God.
கலைமான் நீரோடைகளுக்காக
ஏங்கித் தவிப்பது போல்
கடவுளே! என் நெஞ்சம்
உமக்காக ஏங்கித் தவிக்கின்றது.
மானானது நீரோடைகளை
வாஞ்சித்துக் கதறுவதுபோல,
தேவனே, என் ஆத்துமா
உம்மை வாஞ்சித்துக் கதறுகிறது.
My soul thirsts for God, the living God.
When can I enter and see the face of God?
என் நெஞ்சம் கடவுள்மீது,உயிருள்ள இறைவன்மீது தாகம் கொண்டுள்ளது;
எப்பொழுது நான் கடவுள் முன்னிலையில் வந்து
நிற்கப்போகின்றேன்?
என் ஆத்துமா தேவன்மேல், ஜீவனுள்ள தேவன்மேலேயே
தாகமாயிருக்கிறது;
நான் எப்பொழுது தேவனுடைய சந்நிதியில் வந்து நிற்பேன்?
Thus word-for-word translation has a practical use for it helps linguists in teaching grammar. Similarly, when we translate a religious or classical text into a modern language, a word-for-word translation helps us understand the word order of the second translation.
A second translation in the modern language helps to understand the meaning. Examples of word-for-word translation can also be found in legal texts, where the legal terms are already codified and have to be substituted for the words in the second translation
LITERAL TRANSLATION
There is no two languages have exactly similar structures. That is to say different languages have different ways of putting words together to make sentences. Also, different languages have different ways of conveying meaning. However, sometimes two languages may be close to one another and their manner of organizing words and meanings may be similar.
When the activity of translation takes place between two such languages, it may be possible to make a literal translation. Again, it may be possible to use this type of translation even among two dissimilar languages when the text is more information-oriented and less opinion-oriented. For instance, translations of scientific and technical texts may make use of this type of translation.
Literal language is saying exactly what you mean while
figurative language is more elaborate and uses literary techniques or
Literal language expresses thoughts and ideas in a clear and specific manner. They do not deviate from the accepted meaning. Thus, it is easy to understand literal language. This type of language is often used to deliver important information and is used in writing scientific, technical and legal documents.
2. Right to Freedom (Articles 19 – 22)
Freedom is one of the most important ideals cherished by any democratic society. The Indian Constitution guarantees freedom to citizens. The freedom right includes many rights such as:
- Freedom of speech
- Freedom of expression
- Freedom of assembly without arms
- Freedom of association
- Freedom to practise any profession
- Freedom to reside in any part of the country
பேச்சு சுதந்திரம். பேச, ‘வெளிப்படுத்த’, ஆயுதங்கள் இன்றி அமைதியாக ஒன்று சேர, மன்றங்கள்/ அமைப்புகள் நடத்த, இந்தியாவுக்குள் எங்கும் சென்று வர, இந்தியாவுக்குள் எங்கும் வசிக்க – எல்லாக் குடிமகன்களுக்கும் உரிமை உண்டு. (பிரிவு 19) ஒரே குற்றத்துக்கு இரு முறை தண்டனை வழங்கப்பட மாட்டாது. (பிரிவு 20)
Figurative language is a language that uses words or expressions with a meaning that is different from the literal interpretation. For example, look at the sentence ‘raining cats and dogs’. This does not mean that cats and dogs are falling from the sky. This actually means that it’s raining heavily.
Connotation and Denotation
Connotation and Denotation are two principal methods of describing the meanings of words.
Connotation refers to the wide array of positive and negative associations that most words naturally carry with them, whereas denotation is the precise, literal definition of a word that might be found in a dictionary.
Connotation is the emotional and imaginative association surrounding a word.
Denotation is the strict dictionary meaning of a word.
drug addict . . . druggie, drug fiend, substance abuser handicapped . . . crippled, disabled, differently abled horse . . . . . . steed, nag, plug
house . . . . . . home, abode, domicile, residence
thin . . . . . . thin, slender, slim, skinny, lean, beanpole attractive . . . pretty, beautiful, handsome,
fair reporter . . . . journalist, broadcaster, newshound unattractive . . plain, dull, ugly
1. What is the primary aim of translation?
2. Distinguish between literal and word-for-word translation.
3. Differentiate between literal and figurative meaning.
4. Draw a distinction between denotative meaning and connotative meaning.
5. what way does the nature of meaning determine the type of translation?
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