TRANSLATION

EQUIVALENCE
Karlia
Tabita
EQUIVALENCE
 The term equivalence is commonly used to
convey the meaning of equality.
 In theory of translation, the term equivalence
is used in its general meaning because it is
hard to find absolutely identical words and
notions in different languages. Different
languages have different phonetic, grammar,
syntax, and vocabulary structures.
 Here, we use the term to convey the meaning
of similarity or approximation and it shows the
level of likeness between the source and the
target text.
PURPOSE
 Translationservices seek to find a balance
between language and culture in order
to give the reader the clearest sense of
understanding.
Jakobson's Equivalence
Theories
 intersemiotic (equivalence between sign
systems)
 interlingual (equivalence between
languages)
 intralingual (equivalence within one
language; paraphrasing or rewriting the same
content).

 The second type, interlingual, is the one that

translation equivalence is classified in.
Nida's Equivalence Theories
 formal equivalence (also known as formal
correspondence)
more concerned with word-for-word
translation and content faithfulness
 dynamic equivalence.
focused upon context and sense-for-sense
adaptation.
Catford's approach
 full
translation vs partial
translation (the extent of translation)
 rank-bound translation vs.unbounded
translation (the grammatical rank at
which the translation equivalence is
established)
 total translation vs. restricted
translation (the levels of language
involved in translation).
Formal vs. Dynamic
EXAMPLE
 The difference between these translation techniques
can be seen by comparing the first few words of
Genesis 1 in the Good News Translation (dynamic) to
the American Standard Version (formal). Also
included is a Bible that uses a mix of both translation
techniques (Holman Christian Standard Bible).
 In the beginning, when God created the universe,
the earth was formless and desolate (GNT)
 In the beginning God created the heavens and the
earth. And the earth was waste and void; (ASV)
 In the beginning God created the heavens and the
earth. Now the earth was formless and empty (HCSB)
EXAMPLE
 No pain, no gain; nothing ventured, nothing
gained.
不入虎穴，焉得虎子 bù rù hǔxuè, yāndé hǔ zǐ
(“If you don’t enter the tiger’s den, how will
you get the tiger’s cub?”)
 All good things come to an end.
人无千日好，花无百日红 rén wú qiān rì hǎo, huā
wú bǎi rì hóng (“There is no person that has
1000 good days in a row, and no flower that
stays red for 100 days.”)
 EXAMPLE
 我明天要到日本去
I tomorrow want to Japan go.
I am going to go to Japan tomorrow.
 我家没有电脑
My house does not have computer.
I don’t have computer at home.
 你多吃一点
You more eat a little.
You should eat more.
 你辛苦了
You have tasted bitterness/ hardship
CONCLUSION
 The equivalence theory of translation is still
controversial. The usage of formal or
dynamic equivalence approach
depends on the translator’s purpose.
 No matter which approach is used,
translation is about creating a balance or
equivalence between the original
language document and the target
language translation of the work.