Register in translated text

production
Adriana Silvina Pagano
Laboratory for Experimentation in Translation
Federal University of Minas Gerais

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Context
Project
Text production in translation with a view to
computational and machine translation modelling:
(de)metaphorization in the translation process of
expert translators

Federal University of Minas Gerais Universitt des Saarlandes
Probral 292/08 CAPES, Brazil/DAAD, Germany



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Overview
Background
Point of departure #1 translation as a particular mode of
text production
Evidence from product
Evidence from process
Point of departure #2 register in translated text production
Register complexity in translation
Translation as a register/text type
Modeling contextual pressure in translation tasks issues &
questions



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Background
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Translation in SFL
The nearest we get to non-text in actual life,
leaving aside the works of those poets and
prose writers who deliberately set out to
create non-text, is probably in the speech of
young children and in bad translations.
(Halliday & Hasan, 1976)
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Translation in SFL
... translator is very clearly backgrounded in the
lexicogrammatical construction of translation
- a striking confirmation of Venuti's (1995)
notion of the invisibility of the translator.
(Matthiessen, 2001)
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Translation in SFL
A modelling of translation will force the systemic
linguistic community more than hitherto - and
give them the tools - to face the interesting
challenge of language typology and
comparison generally.
(Steiner, 2004)

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Translation in SFL
... to explain why anyone says anything one must
appeal to the context which exerts pressure on
the speakers choice of meaning.
(Hasan, 2009)

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Point of departure # 1
Translation as a particular mode of
multilingual text production
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Definitions of translation
diachronic production of text within comparable contexts in
different languages, drawing on resources located towards the
monolingual pole of the language contact cline [...]
translation as the in-context version of typology (Figueredo,
2011:340).
multi-functional paraphrase [...] under the constraints of the
process of understanding and of the typology of the language
systems involved, each individual translation being text
production under the constraints of a source text (Steiner,
2004)
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A Translation Studies perspective
Evidence from translation product i.e. translated texts as
compiled in a corpus and compared to their originals (parallel
corpora) and to non-translated texts in the target language
(comparable corpora)
Evidence from translation process i.e. logs of real-time text
production within experimental setting and recorded through
keylogging, screenlogging and eyetracking
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Universals of translation hypothesis

When compared to non-translated texts in the target language,
translations manifest frequencies of linguistic features which
systematically deviate from non-translations regardless of the
language pair: normalization (standardization), simplification,
explicitation and levelling-out (conservatism)
(Baker 1993,1995, 1996; Laviosa-Braithwaite 1996, 1997)

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Universals of translation
Evidence of explicitation
Higher incidence of optional that in reporting clauses in translated vs.
non-translated English (Burnett, 1999; Olohan and Baker 2000)
Higher frequencies of reformulation markers such as in other words,
namely and that is to say in translated vs. nontranslated English
(Mutesayire, 2005)
Evidence of Simplification
Lower type-token ratio in translations (Laviosa-Braithwaite, 1996)
Evidence of standardisation
More restricted use of contracted forms in translated English (Olohan 2003)
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Unique items hypothesis
Translated texts would manifest lower frequencies of linguistic
elements that lack linguistic counterparts in the source
languages such that these could also be used as translation
equivalents
(Tirkonnen-Condit, 2002)

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Unique items
In Finnish (and Swedish), sufficiency lexicalized in verbs jaksaa
(Sw. orka); mahtua (Sw. rymmas); ehtiaN (Sw.hinna);
riittaNaN (Sw. raNcka); viitsiaN (Sw. idas).
In English, no single lexical verb construal as is strong enough;
is small enough; is early enough / is quick enough / has
enough time; is abundant or sizeable enough; has enough
initiative, respectively.
When translating from English into Finnish, translators use these
lexical verbs less frequently as they do not tend to suggest
themselves readily, certainly not as one-to-one equivalents to
any particular item in the source text.
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Literal translation automaton
hypothesis
Tendency to translate word by word observed in novices as well as
experts, and in process as well as product data.
Literal translation as a default unless interrupted by a monitor that alerts
about literal renditions that are not linguistically acceptable or
contextually appropriate as translation equivalents.
Same evidence found in experiments with bilinguals (Mandelblit, 1996) -
sentences with different mapping in source and target languages take
longer to translate and are first attempted through literal rendition
(Tirkonnen-Condit, 2005)

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SFL-informed translation studies
Steiner (2001, 2004), Teich (2003), Neumann (2008)

Combined use of parallel and comparable corpora
Cross-register analysis
SFL- informed analysis

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Shining Through and Normalization
Teich (2003)

English originals and English translations from German have a
higher frequency of passives than German translations from
English and German originals
English translations have more passives than English originals -
TL normalization (due to the tendency for translations to
exaggerate the typical features or patterns of the TL)
There are more passives in the German translations than in the
German originals SL shining through (due to interference
from the SL)


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Explicitation
Neumann (2008)

When contrasted with a reference corpus, translations in the
FICTION and LETTERS TO THE SHAREHOLDERS registers, unlike
originals in these two registers, show an increase in the
number of conjunctions - explicitation in terms of conjunction
in these registers in the translation direction English-German
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Properties of translated texts
Steiner, 2001
Three sources to account for properties of translated texts
typology of source language system reflected in some of the
properties of the translation (literal translation)
registers of source text and target text for a given context may
not be the same - translator(s) may decide on changes
oriented to the register of target-text
understanding on translators part involves relating given
units of text to more explicit and more literal paraphrases
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(De)metaphorisation hypothesis
Understanding in monolingual and multilingual text
production can be modelled based on grammatical metaphor
as relating meaningful (grammatical) units to their less
metaphorical variants = explicitation of meanings in original
text drawing on co-textual and contextual knowledge.

De-metaphorization taking place at same time as re-wording in
target language poses constraints on translators work
due to typological and/or registerial reasons, or fatigue

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(De)metaphorisation
Translation from English into German (more nominal-type
phrases translated into more verbal-type phrases)

The suspicion that volcanic eruptions are the primary source of
aerosols in the upper atmosphere has been around for many years.
(English Original)

Seit vielen Jahren vermutet man schon, dass die Aerosole in den
hheren Schichten der Atmosphre vor allem aus
Vulkanausbruchen stammen. (Translation)
Since many years suspects one already that the aerosols in the higher layers of the
atmosphere above all stem from volcanic eruptions (word-for-word back-
translation into English)
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Shifts in levels of metaphoricity
Metaphorisation - TL expression more metaphorical than SL
expression
De-metaphorisation - SL expression more metaphorical than TL
expression
Re-metaphorisation - same degree of metaphoricity in SL and TL
expressions (implies de-metaphorisation and can only be
observed in translation process!)

Source text - Im Jahr 1982 kommt Howard Schultz zu Starbucks.
Target text 1 - The year of 1982 brings Howard Schulz to Starbucks.
Target text 2 - In 1982 Howard Schultz joins Starbucks.

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In search for evidence in the process
In the case of demetaphorization and
metaphorization in the product, are these solutions
arrived at in first renditions or worked out in several
renditions?
In the case of re-metaphorization, is there evidence
of de-metaphorization as a previous step in the
process?
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Translation process
Alves, Pagano, Neumann, Steiner & Hansen-
Schirra, 2010

Keylogging records the history of every group and clause in text
production, from first renditions, interim solutions and final choices as
they can be seen in translation product - Pauses are taken as indicators
of effortful production
Screenlogging records computer activity (web/dictionary/online databank
searches)
Eyetracking records areas of interest and foci and movements of fixation
Recall protocols record subjects account for his/her decisions


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Sample ocurrence
Source text
Wir sind davon berzeugt, dass erfolgreiche
Unternehmensfhrung und soziale Verantwortung sich nicht
widersprechen.
We are of that convinced that successful management and social reponsability do not
contradict each other

Target text
We are convinced that successful management and social
responsibility are not contradictory.

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Aligned words with different PoS tags
TT1: We firmly believe that success business and social
responsibility do not necessarily contradict each other.
TT2: We are convinced that successful management and
social responsibility are not contradictory.
ST: Wir sind davon berzeugt, dass erfolgreiche
Unternehmensfhrung und soziale Verantwortung sich nicht
widersprechen.
verb
verb
adjective!
Instance of grammatical shift.
Explanation?
Phase TT1 TT2
Original sich nicht widersprechen
Drafting are not contradictions in
terms
do not contradict
Drafting do not necessarily
contradict each other
do not contradiction
Drafting are no contradiction
Revision are not in conflict
Revision are not contradictory
Back to verb; effect:
no change in
metaphoricity
Rank shift:
Verb noun
Rank shift:
Verb noun
Verb!
Rank shift: Noun adjective;
effect: change in metaphoricity
Registerial constraints
Evidence from recall protocol:
3:34: mixture of grammatical and lexical problems
wasnt sure whether I wanted to use a nominal or a
verbal construction thats why I came back to this later
14:06: I mentioned that before I was in conflict
(laughter) I didnt like conflict because it seemed too
(?) for a corporate text they wouldnt use negative
words thats why I changed it back to contradictory I
think

Implications
Two behavioral patterns specific of translators (Toury,
1995) bearing an impact on translated text
production

1. Relying on literal translation as a first strategy for rendition
2. (Un)packing more or less metaphorical wording in an effort to
understand the source text or due to typological and
registerial constraints
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Point of departure # 2
Register as a relevant notion to
model translation
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Register in Translation Studies
Long acknowledged as a key concept as the translators proceeds
in his/her text production, he/she calibrates register
Attempts to explore register in translator education either lack an
encompassing theory of language (Newmark 1988, Nord 1991,
Stolze 1992, Wilss 1982) or, when they do draw on a theory, do not
work with the notion of register in translation at a level of delicacy
to tackle its complexity (cf. House 1977/97, 2001, Bell 1991, Hatim
and Mason 1990, 1997, Taylor 1998).
Within SFL studies, register in language contacts (multilingual
production, translation) has not been sufficiently explored
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Register complexity in translation
If the values for register variables are similar in two cultures,
translation, unlike multilingual text production, entails a relative
stability of register (Steiner, 2004)

BUT

Changes introduced in the target text in one registerial dimension
may have impact on other dimensions of variation of a text
Register variables may change as a text unfolds, which adds more
complexity to the translators task.
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Register complexity in translation
If systems of register features (variables) and their values differ
between languages and the values for register variables are
different, the translator may need to create a register or to
introduce a change in the target text in one registerial dimension,
which may have impact on other dimensions of variation of a text.
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Register complexity in translation
Metaphorisation as a strategy to deal with contextual constraints

We hope that the Australian Embassy services in Brazil will be
able to accommodate this short time frame (original)

... esperamos que a concesso do visto por parte das
autoridades da Embaixada Australiana no Brasil no se veja
prejudicada pela solicitao sem a devida antecedncia
(translation)
... we hope that the granting of the visa by the authorities at the Australian
Embassy in Brazil will not be affected by the request filed without the due
amount of time in advance (back translation)
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Register complexity in translation
There may be explicit instructions in the situation in which
translation process takes place to change register values e.g.
changes in tenor
There are social norms regarding translation: what a
translation is expected to look like, literal wording being a
valid strategy for some texts or even yielding a valid target
text, though not a felicitous one from a comparable corpus
perspective (see also Juliane Houses distinction between
overt and covert translation)

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Literal strategy

Bilingual edition of popular tales for foreign language learners

Hace mucho tiempo vivi un molinero que tuvo tres hijos, y nada ms que su
molino, su burrito y un gato para ellos.
Long long time ago, there lived a Miller with three sons and nothing else than
his mill, his little ass and a cat for them.


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Register (in)stability and
translation
Impact from another language system excerted through
registers deliberatly mimicking source language
registers

Register (in)stability due to (in)stability of target text register

Register (in)stability due to (in)stability brought about by the
act of translation






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Register (in)stability and
translation
Tourism promotional texts cross languages

Cross-cultural Register Studies Group

Adriana Pagano, Universidade Federal Minas Gerais, Brazil
Ayako Ochi, Macquarie University, Australia
Maria Herke, Macquarie University, Australia
Marvin Lam, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Mira Kim, New South Wales University, Australia
Pattama Patpong, Mahidol University, Thailand
Sabine Bartsch, Technische Universitt Darmstadt, Germany
Stella Neumann, Aaachen University, Germany,








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Feature matrix for the analysis
Style
Indicators
Casual Consultative Neutral
Content
orientation
No Yes (?) Yes
Addressee
orientation
Yes Yes No
Shared
background
Yes No No
Register (in)stability and
translation
Tourism promotional texts in Argentinian Spanish
Changes in the system of social distance in Argentinian
Spanish increasing use of form of address vos for
interactions previously calling for usted
Tourism promotional texts in Spanish modelled upon texts in
English need for addressing the reader (you)
Random and sometimes concomitant use of vos and
usted in non-translated texts
Norm dictates that translated texts cannot be too different
from originals (size and structure)






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Register complexity in translation
Source text markedness (Steiner, 2004) (no conformance
to the expectations of readers) may demand conscious
decisions on the part of the translator
Translators agenda may be to draw on literal translation to
introduce foreignization ( Venuti 1995)


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Translating the register(s)
in fiction
How to deal with register(s) in fiction that are based on
real life registers but construe a particular style?
Katherine Mansfields Bliss in Portuguese and Spanish
Should the translator base his/her choices on features of more or less
colloquial registers in his/her language so as to re-construe the style of
Bliss?
Should the translator build on the target language literary system and
construe a style patterned on practitioners of Mansfields style in those
target systems?
Would Brazilian writer Clarice Lispector be a model for a translation of
Mansfield to be patterned on?
Which female writer could be a model for a translation of Mansfields style in
Spanish?
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Bliss
ALTHOUGH Bertha Young was thirty she still had moments like this when she wanted to run
instead of walk, to take dancing steps on and off the pavement, to bowl a hoop, to
throw something up in the air and catch it again, or to stand still and laugh at - nothing -
at nothing, simply.
What can you do if you are thirty and, turning the corner of your own street, you are
overcome, suddenly by a feeling of bliss - absolute bliss! - as though you'd suddenly
swallowed a bright piece of that late afternoon sun and it burned in your bosom,
sending out a little shower of sparks into every particle, into every finger and toe?
Oh, is there no way you can express it without being "drunk and disorderly"? How idiotic
civilisation is! Why be given a body if you have to keep it shut up in a case like a rare,
rare fiddle?
"No, that about the fiddle is not quite what I mean," she thought, running up the steps and
feeling in her bag for the key - she'd forgotten it, as usual - and rattling the letter-box.
"It's not what I mean, because - Thank you, Mary" - she went into the hall. "Is nurse
back?
"Yes, M'm."


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The register of translations
BUT
even in situations in which no deliberate decision is made to foreignize
and no deliberate instruction is given to follow a literal strategy or to
change register parameters,
due to source text constraints demanding typological and registerial
alignments and constraints related to translators understanding
((de)metaphorization) and reliance on lexicogrammatical wording of the
source text (literal strategy),
translated texts have properties that make them different from other texts.
In this sense, translations can be seen as a register / text-type in
themselves (Steiner, 2001, 2004)
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Register in translation
Questions
How to accommodate the register of translations within a SFL
account of register?
If translation is a register, how to describe its contextual
features?
What is the impact on translator education and training? Would
expansion of learners registerial repertoires (Matthiessen,
2009) include the register of translation?

And many other...



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