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Türkçe-İngilizce Dil Çiftinde Diplomatik Davetiye/Yazışma Çevirisi

Article · July 2012

DOI: 10.1501/MTAD.9.2012.2.15

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Journal of Modern
Turkish Studies
Volume 9, Issue 2 (June 2012), pp. 89-105
DOI: 10.1501/MTAD.9.2012.2.15-e
Copyright©Ankara University
Ankara University Faculty of Letters
Department of Modern Turkish Dialects&Literature

Translating Diplomatic Invitation Cards/

Correspondence in Turkish-English Language
Pair

Nihal Yetkin
İzmir Ekonomi Üniversitesi (İzmir) 

ÖZET
Dil her zaman diplomasinin uygulamasında en güçlü ve barışçıl yollardan biri olmuştur.
Diplomatik dil sözcük düzeyinden söylem seviyelerine kadar yerleşik kalıp kullanımlarıyla
bilinmektedir. Diplomatik metin çevirisi diplomatik metinler kadar eskidir. Bununla birlikte
çeviribilim bölümlerinin müfredatına konu olarak dâhil edilmesi nisbeten yeni olmuştur. Bu
çalışma uluslararası diplomatik yazılı iletişime dair özel bir dile sahip olan Türkçe-İngilizce dil
çiftindeki diplomatik davetiyeler ve yazışmalar üzerinde durulmuş, makroyapılar ve kesit diller
belirlenerek gelecekteki eğitsel amaçlara yönelik olarak tartışılması hedeflenmiştir. Çalışma
hem kuramsal hem de uygulama düzleminde çeviribilim çalışmaları ve eğitimi alanında
kullanılmak üzere dikkate değer girdiler sağlamaktadır.
ANAHTAR SÖZCÜKLER
diplomatik dil, diplomatik davet, makroyapı, kesit dil
ABSTRACT
Language has always been one of the most powerful and nonviolent means for the
application of diplomacy. Diplomatic language is known for its highly conventional uses at
lexical up to discursive levels. Diplomatic text translation is as old as diplomatic texts and merits
special attention. However, its inclusion in the curricula of translations studies departments are
relatively new. In addition, the research made in the field dates back to a not-too distant past,
when compared to those on the other text type translations. This study is focused on the
specific language of international diplomatic written communication, i.e. diplomatic invitation
cards as well as correspondence in Turkish and English language. It is aimed to identify the
90 Journal of Modern Turkish Studies Volume 9. Issue 2. June 2012

macrostructures and registers and specify and discuss the difficulties these can cause for
undergraduate trainee translators and the implications for future instruction. The study provides
us with substantial input for use in translational studies and education in theoretical and
practical terms.
KEY WORDS
diplomatic language, diplomatic invitation, macrostructure, register

1. Introduction

As proven by archeologists, diplomacy has long been used as “a formal way of

communication between the states” (Baranyai 2011: 2). Undoubtedly, language has been one of
the very powerful and nonviolent means for the application of diplomacy. In the words of
Pehar (2001: 135), diplomacy is “primarily words that prevents us from reaching for our
swords”.
This exploratory article identifies the macrostructures and registers in diplomatic invitation
in the forms of invitation cards and correspondences in English and Turkish, and difficulties
encountered in the translation process by trainee translators.
After considering the related literature, this paper describes the basic macrostructures and
register in cards and related correspondence and then, identifies some difficulties such texts
may cause for Turkish trainee translators in an instructional setting (based on author’s
experiences/observations), and in professional settings. Finally, some suggestions are provided
to help future trainee translators.

2. Literature Review

2.1. Diplomatic language

A “conditio sine quo non of a successful, professional, complete diplomat” (Nick 2001: 46),
a high command and use of diplomatic language today is associated with “linguistic skills, a
carefully calibrated language allowing cross-cultural communication with a minimum of
unnecessary misunderstanding, along with protocol governing interstate body language”
(Jönsson & Hall: 2002).
In general, what was pointed out by Zaro and Truman (1998: 77 in Lambert-Tierrafría
2007: 217) to describe the language used in legal and official documents also applies to that in
diplomatic texts: highly stereotypical, conventionalized and conservative in nature, with
morphological, syntactical and lexical features which are not found in other text types.
Diplomatic language mainly refers to three concepts: i.language used by diplomats, ii.
terms specific to diplomacy, and iii.diplomatic style (Akıncı 2005: 107). Such style discursively
requires the peaceful use of language, the principles of which are submitted in Matos (2008) as
 Diplomatic Invitation Translation in English-Turkish Nihal Yetkin 91

follows: i.loving the communicating neighbor, ii.dignifying daily dialogues, iii.prioritizing

pozitivizers in language use iv. being a communicative humanizer. This leads to, in linguistic
terms, use of constructive, peacebuilding, tactful, tactical, human dignifying language rather
than a potentially aggressive, insensitive, offensive, destructive one (Matos 2004: 283 in Hafriza
2005a: 36).

2.2. English and Turkish as diplomatic languages

Kappeler (2001) notes that English has emerged as a dominant diplomatic language since
the beginning of the 20th century, replacing French, which in turn, replaced Latin, in the 18th
century.
In the Middle Ages that Anatolia was influenced by Arabic and Persian as the languages
of science and literature, respectively. In the 15th and 16th centuries, Ottoman Turkish
emerged as a distinct language. Words continyed to increase until the 1970s, when they
accounted for 70%. Since then, the proportion of Turkish words in the language has been
declining (Akçora 2004).
Both English and Turkish have been affected from Latin and French as a former lingua 
franca, which would affect the translation process.
In this context, English diplomatic texts are are replete with established terms in Latin (e.g.
casus belli) and French (e.g. chargé d'affaires) and field-specific English collocations (e.g. good
offices) (Akıncı 2005: 109), whereas diplomatic texts in Turkish, embrace archaic Turkish terms
(e.g.Maslahatgüzar) and field-specific collocations (e.g. mütehassıs olmak), in addition to those
Latin and French terms.
Therefore, due to the very seamless use of established terms/expressions/patterns,
diplomatic language can be said to be universally timeless and multilingual, in nature.

2.3. Diplomatic text translation

Girardin (2001: 141) states that diplomacy is inseparable from translation to the extent that
it paves the way for building bridges between parties speaking different languages.
While, in a narrow sense, diplomatic translation is carried out within diplomatic missions,
embassies or consulates, in a broader sense, it may be made in various places for such
institutions, i.e. at Ministries, attaches, international companies, universities etc. for possible or
potential occasions at least at a correspondence level, where necessary. All the relevant duties
are required to be made at “a pace of “it had to be done yesterday” , as Luque (1999) stated.
In conversation, a speaker may always modify his statements, where he feels necessary, by
saying, “Let me explain” or “in other words” and assert something which may be entirely
different from the initially stated. Yet, there exists no speech which does not leave an immediate
trace, without prejudice to its possible consequences (Pascual 2001). This trace proves to be
92 Journal of Modern Turkish Studies Volume 9. Issue 2. June 2012

indelible when it comes to written texts and their translations. Clearly, a written text cannot be
softened or corrected once it has been sent out (Nick 2001: 44). The sensitivity of the written text
is further enhanced when it comes to diplomatic texts, where every single word is weighed to
avoid any possible misunderstanding or confrontation. In this respect, the translator of
diplomatic texts is faced with a dual challenge.
Diplomatic text translation constitute a subgroup of the social sciences translation, which
requires translators to have the attributes described as necessary by Aksoy (2001: 23), namely,
linguistic competence for source and target texts, competence in the subject area, familiarizing
with parallel texts in that field in the target language and access to the required resources.
As politics is an important issue in diplomacy, the translator has to consider and set
strategies on the following three points: how will the target text readers receive what is said, in
what format and will the intention change whether it is said in the same way (Okyayuz-Yener
2010: 341).
In this respect, the translators need to pay special attention to the features mentioned in the
section on diplomatic text language above. In addition, they have to be meticulous regarding
partial false friends, as pointed out by the author (2011). It is likely that already obscure
language in the source text will become further obscured in translation, as pointed by Vural-
Kaya (2007). The increased obscurity tend to be open to misunderstandings/misinterpretations.
The discursive and rhetorical features therefore need to be understood in full during the
translation process to avoid such undesirable effects.

2.4. Diplomatic text trainee translators

Pedersen and Faber (2010: 238) stated that legal text trainee translators have “some
knowledge of translation processes, but limited knowledge of the legal domain as opposed to
the professional legal translator operating at the other end of the scale”. The same statement can
be readily adapted for diplomatic text trainee translators.
Moreover, the undergraduate students taking the course of diplomatic text translation, are
young and therefore characterized as being “more prone to the use and renovation of slang
and unconventional language”, and therefore merits special attention as they have a special
language of their own, as indicated by Gonzalez (1994: 201-202). Likewise, Tagliamonte (2005:
1913) mentioned that the language of younger generations can be likened to a gold mine in
terms of innovative language uses, revealing evidence for both grammatical and sociolinguistic
change.
It follows that trainees not only learn interlingual translation, but also intralingual
translation, i.e. learn a language embedded in the working language. The languages, in our
case, English and Turkish cannot be regarded as compatible in of lexis and syntax, creating
further difficulties for the trainee translators.
 Diplomatic Invitation Translation in English-Turkish Nihal Yetkin 93

3. The study

3.1. Data collection

The review of documents were preferred, as being an “unobtrusive” and “nonreactive”

method, “describing and interpreting the artefacts of a society or social group (Marshall &
Rossman 1999: 117). The data for this study was gathered from 4 selected cards of invitation to
various diplomatic gatherings between the years 1997-2006, and 20 correspondences/ message
excerpts from Tulun (1996). Pen and pencil exams for the course “Translation of Diplomatic
Texts” taught at the İzmir University of Economics between the year 2007-2012 were used to
identify the difficulties faced by the students. Descriptive adequacy of the data was given
utmost importance in the selection process.

3.2. Limitations

Although diplomatic correspondence is clearly not limited to invitations, for the purposes
of the study, all other diplomatic oral/written texts were excluded.

3.3. Theoretical Frame and Method

This study is primarily based on descriptive and functionalist theories.The type of the text,
examined here falls under Operative, in Reiss’s terms (1977/89) as it is intended to “induce
behavioral responses” with its dialogic form of language and appelative focus. The translation
method requires an adaptive method to create the equivalent effect, which would result in
function-preserving translations, as named by Nord (1991). The analysis of invitation cards and
correspondence were made at macro- and micro-structure levels, drawing on descriptive
translation studies. Therefore it comprised two parts:1.macrostructure analysis, involving the
classification of subparts, and 2.microstructure analysis, exploring linguistic features at word
up to sentence level,which will be referred to as register throughout the study.
The macrostructure of diplomatic invitations was identified, adopting the understanding
of genre as put by Alcaraz and Hugues (2002: 101-102 in Lambert-Tierrafia 2007: 218-219), as
having a shared communicative function expressed by various means. These include same
performative verb, a similar macrostructure, a similar discursive mode of developing the
macrostructure and similar discoursive techniques for satisfying related expectations on the
part of recipients/addressees, common lexical and syntactic arrangement of the material and a
common set of functional units and formal features and common socio-pragmatic conventions
like titles, forms of address etc. In contrast, “register” was specified, according to a definition
given by Hafriza (2005b), as general words and phrases, “used in a specific situation,
94 Journal of Modern Turkish Studies Volume 9. Issue 2. June 2012

addressing a specific audience and wanting specific goals to be attained and goals that can only
be accomplished by the same specific audience”.

3.4. Data Analysis

3.4.1. Invitation Cards

3.4.1.1. Format: Macrostructure and register of invitation cards
The invitation should be engraved on ecru or white letter sheets or on plain white cards of
a standard size for official functions and must contain the following sections. The titles of the
sections are as listed in Etiquette International
(http://www.etiquetteinternational.com/Articles/Invitations.aspx)
3.4.1.1.1. The special instruction line (optional)
In general, why a particular diplomatic gathering will be held may be mentioned in a
concise phrase, as in examples (1) and (2). It may also take place in the body of the invitation.

(1) To bid farewell to ….

(2) In honor of ….

3.4.1.1.2. Host Line

If the Host is single, the invitation is in the name of the Host only, as in example (3), If
married, it is in the name of the host and spouse, as in example (4).

(3) The Minister of (….. Bakanı)

(4) The Ambassador of …… and Mrs. First Name Surname (….. Büyükelçisi ve Bayan
Ad Soyad

Here, in example (4) first name surname is the ambassador’s full name. No mention of the
spouse’s name is made.
If the spouse’s slot is marked as not valid as in example (5), this means the spouse is not
participating in the event due to some reason unrevealed. Without this marking, the non-
attendance of the spouse would be considered as impolite in diplomatic terms. That is, the
marking of non-attendance is intended to avoid any possible misinterpretation such as
disrespect to guests.
3.4.1.1.3. Request line:
The pattern in example (6) must be written verbatim as there is no flexibility in writing this
part.
 Diplomatic Invitation Translation in English-Turkish Nihal Yetkin 95

(6) ….request(s) the pleasure of the company of ….(…onurlandırmalarını/teşriflerini

Sayın Bay/Bayan ….’den rica ederler.)

3.4.1.1.4. Event Line

The form of gathering is specified as in examples (7) and (8):

(7) at a reception (resepsiyonu)

(8) for a dinner (akşam yemeğini)

3.4.1.1.5. Date Line

The order in English can be given, as in example (9)

(9) on Monday, August 28, 2006 from 1900 to 21.00 hours

As opposed in Turkish as in example (10)
(10) 12 Temmuz 1999 Pazartesi günü, saat 20.00’de

3.4.1.1.6. Location, City and State Line

This can be either placed before the date, as in example (11) or written as a separate part
under the invitation section, on the left as in example (12a) and on the right as in example (12b):

(11) ...which will take place at ....

on Day, Month, Year at (Gün, Ay,Yıl’da …’da)

(12a) Şehit Ersan Cad. 24/10

Çankaya

(12b) Kavaklıdere Ballroom

Hilton Hotel, Ankara

3.4.1.1.7. The Reply Request Line

There are only two forms of reply requests, as in examples (13) and (14),

(13) “R.S.V.P.” and

(14) “Regrets Only”

The trainee translators must be taught that replies to formal invitations should be made
within two days, in handwriting, in the 3rd person, on white or ecru letter sheets with black
96 Journal of Modern Turkish Studies Volume 9. Issue 2. June 2012

ink, as stated by Etiquette International.

R.S.V.P: abbreviation of Respondez S’il vous plait meaning “please reply”(L.C.V. Lütfen
Cevap Veriniz in Turkish). It is a request for responses as to acceptance or declining an
invitation.
Regrets Only (Mazeret için) : Where the invitee is unable to attend the event, s/he has to
inform the one sending the invitation.
3.4.1.1.8. The special request line (optional)
From time to time, the invitations may include a note on how to dress that day, as in
example (15).

(15) Dress: formal

3.4.2. Correspondence for invitation

3.4.2.1. Format
The basic parts of invitation in the form of correspondence are not strict as in invitation
cards. One may not find a specific order and the same number of paragraphs having the same
content. However, it is possible to find the same discursive parts, although the order may vary.
Accordingly when dealing with the correspondence for invitation, it is necessary to understand
Macrostructure and registers of correspondence for invitation to an event as a guest,
participant, speaker etc.
3.4.2.1.1. the occasion section
In the section, the event is told with all required details like date and place, as in example
(16) or the event is presented, accompanied by the invitation, as in example (17).

(16) We will be celebrating our …..th anniversary of ...on (….tarihinde…’nın …inci

yıldönümünü kutlayacağız.)

(17) I have the honor, on behalf of the …. and people of …………., to invite Your
Excellency/Majesty etc. to attend the “……..Conference” which will be hosted in
………., during the period ……., 19…(…. Ve …halkı namına
Ekselanslarını/Majestelerini vs. ….tarihler arasında …..evsahipliğinde gerçekleşecek
….Konferansına katılmaya davet etmekten onur duyarım.)

3.4.2.1.2. the invitation section

Although there are several ways in which the invitation may be made, all have the
following subsections.
i. the respectful attitude of the invitor in extending the invitation is emphasized as in
 Diplomatic Invitation Translation in English-Turkish Nihal Yetkin 97

examples (18) (19)

(18) It gives me great pleasure to extend personal invitation to You…… (Zat-ı
Alilerini… şahsen davet etmekten memnuniyet duymaktayım.)
(19) We would be most grateful, if Your Excellency would be kind enough to
visit….(Zat-ı Alileri …ziyaret edebilirlerse müteşekkir oluruz)
ii. the invitation may be extended personally, in the “I” language or “we” language or on
behalf other person/persons/bodies as in examples as in examples (18) and (19) above.
iii. the addressee of the invitation is referred to respectfully, paying due attention to forms
of address as appropriate to the position and using capital letter at the beginning of the address
as in examples (18) and (19) above. For detailed forms of address in English along with their
Turkish counterparts, see Tulun (1996: 163-164).
3.4.2.1.3. the aim and/or importance of the event
The aim and/or importance of the event is submitted concisely, as in examples (20) and
(21):

(20) We hope, at the (first) …meeting, to … (Bu (ilk) toplantının ….’nı umuyoruz.)

(21) The …Summit in …aims at …(….’de düzenlenen Zirvesi ….’i

hedeflemektedir/amaçlamaktadır.)

3.4.2.1.4. the importance of the attendance of the invitee for the invitor
The importance of personal presence and contribution is underlined as in example (22)
and example (23):

(22) Your personal presence at the Summit will symbolize …(Zat-ı Alilerinin Zirvedeki
varlığı ….’ı sembolize edecektir.
(23) I am convinced that this visit would be an important step to …(Bu ziyaretin ….olma
yolunda önemli bir adım oluşturacağına eminim.)

3.4.2.1.5. Concluding remarks

Concluding remarks include good wishes and paying respects. This is the strictest section
in terms of permitted wording.
The limited number of established patterns admit no flexibility, as in example (24) and (25)
with their translations into Turkish:

(24) I take this opportunity to extend to Your …….my best wishes for Your personal
health and happiness as well as for the continued progress and prosperity of the
98 Journal of Modern Turkish Studies Volume 9. Issue 2. June 2012

fraternal people of …..

(Bu vesile ile, şahsi sağlık ve mutluluğu ile kardeş ….halkının refah ve ilerlemesi için en
iyi dileklerimi sunarım.)

(25) Please accept, Your Excellency the assurances of my highest consideration.

Ekselanslarından en derin saygılarımın kabulünü rica ederim/Ekselanslarından en derin
saygılarımı lütfen kabul buyurmaları dileğiyle,

Sometimes the good wishes are conveyed not only personally but on behalf of other
bodies, as in example (26):

(26) Please accept Your Majesty, on behalf of the Turkish Nation and on my own behalf,
our best wishes for ….
Majestelerinden Türk milleti ve şahsım namına,…….için en iyi dileklerimin kabulünü
rica ederim.

If there has been previous correspondence with the invitee then this is acknowledged in
the good wishes section, this is also revealed with the verbs “reiterate” or “renew”as in
example (27), or with the noun “reassurances”, as in example (28):

(27) I avail myself of this opportunity to Express (to renew) to Your Excellency my best
wishes for ….
(Bu vesileyle …..için en iyi dileklerimin kabülünü Zat-ı Alilerinden tekraren rica
ederim.)

(28) Please accept, Excellency, the reassurances of my highest consideration.

(Ekselanslarından,…….için en iyi dileklerimin kabulünü/teyidini rica ederim.)

3.4.3. Response letters/messages

3.4.3.1. Format for letter of acceptance
3.4.3.1.1. receipt of the invitation
The receipt of the invitation must be specified by date and channel, together with the
details of the invitation as in example (29).

(29) I received, through the ……….of Your Embassy in Ankara, the kind letter of Your
….inviting me to pay a visit to….
(Şahsımı …..ziyaret etmem için göndermiş olduğunuz nazik davet mektubunuzu
Ankara’daki Büyükelçiliğiniz marifetiyle/kanalıyla almış bulunmaktayım.)
 Diplomatic Invitation Translation in English-Turkish Nihal Yetkin 99

In general, the date is underlined to show that therefore the reply letter has been written
immediately, demonstrating the value attached to the invitation, as in example (30):

(30) I have received with pleasure Your …..’s kind letter of invitation dated ….. to the
….on…
(Zat-ı Alilerinin ….tarihinde düzenlenecek olan …… için göndermiş bulunduğu
…….tarihli nazik davet mektubunu büyük bir memnuniyetle almış
bulunmaktayım/bulunuyorum.)

The use of the word “kind” to describe the letter of invitation and phrases like “with
pleasure”, “with honour” etc.after the verb “receive” show the respectful feelings of the invitee,
as in example (30) above.
3.4.3.1.2. gratitude for the invitation
The invitee is expected to acknowledge the invitationand thank the invitor as soon as it is
received, as in example (31).

(31) I would like to thank Your …for your kind invitation.

(Zat-ı Alilerine nazik davetlerinden ötürü teşekkürlerimi sunarım/sunuyorum.)

3.4.3.1.3. response statement

3.4.3.1.3.1. acceptance
The invitee kindly accepts the invitation and confirms the importance of the event, as in
example (32):

(32) I will take great pleasure in attending this important event

(Bu önemli etkinliğe katılmaktan/icabet etmekten büyük bir memnuniyet
duyacağım/mütehassıs olacağım.)

3.4.3.1.3.2. decline
The invitee politely declines the invitation, giving a short justification and stating the
regrets. Generally, instead of personal matters, the expression of “due to one’s previous
engagement(s)” is preferred as a polite justification, as in example (33).

(33) I very much regret that I will be unable to attend the …..owing to my previous
engagements.
(Daha önce planlanmış işlerim dolayısıyla …..’a icabet edemeyeceğimi üzüntüyle
bildiririm.)
100 Journal of Modern Turkish Studies Volume 9. Issue 2. June 2012

This statement declining the invitation is generally followed by an explanation of how the
person declining will be represented at the event, as in example (34)

(34) However, ….. will be represented by a high level delegation in this event. (Bununla
beraber, ….. bu organizasyonda üst düzey bir heyet ile temsil edilecektir.)

3.4.3.1.4.Concluding Remarks
These are the same as concluding remarks for the relevant sections of correspondence for
invitation mentioned above.

3.5. Intra- and extralinguistic difficulties concerning the translation of

invitation cards/correspondences in the case of trainee translators.

i. The students were seen to get confused initially by the abundance of abbreviations of
titles/ranks/address forms in the world of diplomacy.
Furthermore, most trainees were also surprised by the fact that the host line of diplomatic
invitation cards contained the top level official’s name only, whereas the spouse’s was not
mentioned at all.
ii. The students tended to make mistakes about the collocation of some words they have
just learned. e.g.the case for “teşrif” in the sentence: the students were prone to use teşrif with
the Dative Case suffix“-e”, ignorant of the fact that “teşrif” is of Arabic origin, and used with
the Accusative Case suffix “-i”.
iii. Concluding remarks of invitation correspondences: the students were seen to have
much difficulty especially in this section, as they had to memorize the full pattern, which was
unfamiliar to them. They were also seen to tend to make mistakes in translation of genitive
pronouns in forms of address, neglecting the differences of textual conventions in Turkish and
English.
iv. On the whole, trainee translators, found the language too ornate and exotic, especially
when they are compared to their own language, which, as the language of youth, tended to be
much less formed. In particular, they found difficult the number of adjectives praising the
addressee, long and complex sentences, the number of words/terms borrowed from the lingua
franca of the past in both the source and targets. However, as the lessons progressed, they
expressed a keen and growing interest in the language and noted change in their daily written
communications with their peers as well as their instructors. As they familiarized with different
authentic diplomatic invitation texts, they reached a clearer understanding on the specific
language use in diplomacy, and stated that it provided an opportunity for them to express
themselves in a polite and non-confrontational manner, in general.
 Diplomatic Invitation Translation in English-Turkish Nihal Yetkin 101

3.6. Lessons drawn from the observations/difficulties for future lessons

The students should be warned that titles and full names are of utmost importance and
mistakes related to spelling and title/rank are found intolerable in this discourse community. It
should be particularly emphasized that students need clear understanding of i. the full title of
the person for whom the event is held as these may vary across languages, ii.the shortened
forms of honorifics, titles and ranks.
The initial overreaction by the students seems to stem from the high proportion of females
in language classes, who may be initially offended by the missing of any mention of females on
invitation cards at first glance.These feelings may be allayed by explaining that such customs
originate from times when diplomats were almost always male and that status, rather than
gender is the focus of the cards.
Unconventional collocations as well as loan words arising from language-specific features
may be further highlighted through in-class activities.
Students/trainees can be encouraged to compile examples of the very inflexible linguistic
patterns for the reference.

4. Conclusion

The role of diplomatic relations has always been of great significance throughout the
centuries. In our globalised world today, more and more diplomatic translations are being
made, which requires the inclusion of diplomatic translation as a field of expertise in the
curricula of the universities.
At this point, it is worth noting that the evidence from the author’s own experience and
observations of colleagues suggest that employers at the top administrative level of any
institution, public or private, may request translators to prepare such diplomatic
cards/correspondence, rather than simply translate them, giving just the required details like
occasion, date and place. In order to give the required information, such as date, occasion and
place, a high command on macrostructures and register by the translators is of utmost
importance.
It is expected that macrostructure and registers provided here will serve as a guideline for
current and future diplomatic translators as well as translation instructors, and that it will
provide a modest step forward for templating for translation of specific fields.
102 Journal of Modern Turkish Studies Volume 9. Issue 2. June 2012

EXAMPLES
Diplomatic Invitation Translation in English-Turkish Nihal Yetkin 103
104 Journal of Modern Turkish Studies Volume 9. Issue 2. June 2012

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 Diplomatic Invitation Translation in English-Turkish Nihal Yetkin 105

Nihal Yetkin
Yrd.Doç.Dr., İzmir Ekonomi Üniversitesi Fen-Edebiyat Fakültesi Mütercim-Tercümanlık
Bölümü Sakarya Cad. No.156 35330 Balçova/İzmir
E-posta: nihal.yetkin@ieu.edu.tr

Article:
Received date: 2 May 2012
Accepted date: 9 June 2012
E-published date: 17 July 2012
Print-out page number: 17
Source number: 24

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