Teoría y práctica de la Traducción II.

Profesor: Matías Juárez.

Even though the techniques related to translation are changing nowadays, the ones used in the past very
relevant and quite common in a translator’s work.
So, we propose a classification of translation techniques that will help you throughout your process of
education as well as for your career.
The criteria followed is our proposal of definition and classification are:
1) To differentiate the concept of techniques (strategies, methods, and errors in translation)
2) To Include only procedures related to translation of texts.
3) To consider the usefulness of the technique.
In conclusion, there are 18 techniques to be taken into account:
• Adaptation • Generalization vs Particularization
• Linguistic extension vs linguistic • Modulation
comprehension • Borrowing
• Amplification vs Elision • Substitution
• Loan translation
• Literal translation
• Compensation
• Transposition
• Discursive creation
• Description • Variation
• Coined equivalent

Techniques closer to the literary translation:

• Adaptation: one cultural element is replaced to another from the target culture. Adaptation really
depends on the resource to translate. We can see this kind of adaptation in the names of movies, in
names of people and food. This kind of technique is mostly used in the cinematographic world. For
example, it is common to see the differences when the name of a movie originally in English is
translated into Latin-American Spanish (Mexican per se) or into Spain Spanish. For instance: “Pitch
Perfect” “Notas Perfectas” (Latam) “Dando la Nota” (Spain); “Fast and Furious” “Rápido y Furioso
(Latam) “A todo Gas” (Spain). Adaptation is related to investigate the receptor’s culture and see if my
translation feels natural to them.
• Linguistic extension: new linguistic elements are added. It is a resource that is mainly used in
simultaneous interpretation and dubbing. For example, instead of translating “No way” to its closed
literal meaning “En absoluto,” one decides to translate it into “De ninguna manera”.
• Compensation: it is a technique that consists of introducing a piece of information or a stylistic effect
where they weren´t supposed to be there because they couldn’t be kept in the order they had in the
original text. This is really common when they are some riddles, play on words or puns. For example:
a Mexican man goes to the U.S for the first time and sees a Coke machine with the word D I M E
flashing on a small screen next to the coin slot (dime is referring to the currency of payment). So, he
bents close to the screen to the machine and whispers: “Una Coca Cola, por favor”.
• Elision: elision means literally “to omit”. Therefore, we omit elements that are in the original text,
but we do not put them in the result text. For example: “El mes de ayuno Judío” > “Ramadán”.
• Borrowing: as its name recalls, this technique integrates one word or expression from the original
language just the way it is. It can be unchanged or pure borrowing: “lobby” or “streaming”.
Nevertheless, it can also be naturalized: “goal” > “goal”; “football” > “fútbol”.

Techniques closer to general translation:

• Amplification: it is a technique where translators allow themselves to add side notes or clarification
non-existent in the original text. For example, “Easter” > “Pascua, una celebración Cristiana”.
• Loan translation: a word or an expression is translated literally; it can be lexically or structurally.
Usually, neologism is involved. For example, “skyscraper” > “rascacielos” “hard disk” > “disco duro”
or “empower” > “empoderar”. Yes, a translator has the power to create novel words or neologisms
if all the linguistic features and context is achieved.
• Linguistic comprehension: this technique synthetizes linguistic elements. It is a resource especially
used in subtitling (or Caption Closed) and interpretation. Nonetheless, it does not mean it cannot
occur in translation.
See:
“Yes, so what”? > “¿Y? (en vez de una traducción con la misma cantidad de palabras).
• Discursive creation: in this technique, translators come up with an ephemeral equivalence that ONLY
has meaning in its context. This is commonly seen in humoristic texts, translation of radio
programmes, podcasts and on. For example, Bugs Bunny’s most famous catchphrase “¿Qué onda,
viejo?” was translated from “What’s up, Doc?”.
• Description: here, the translator tries to substitute one element or expression by its description
and/or function. For example, translating “asado” as “the traditional grilled meat in Argentina”.
• Coined equivalent: it consists of translating the same idea and reality but using another expression.
This expression or word is different from the original language but genuine in the target language.
See:
“They are as like as two peas” > “Son como dos gotas de agua”.
• Generalization: it is a very common technique for interpretation and some specific situation where
the translator knows that being general in terms of meaning will be better for the audience to
understand.
See:
“clock alarm” > “despertador”. “whiteboard” > “pizarrón”.
• Modulation: this strategy introduces a semantic change (meaning) or perspective in relation from
the original text.
See:
“It is not difficult to show”
literal translation: “No es difícil de demostrar”.
modulation: “Es fácil de demostrar”.
In simple words, modulation is a technique that looks for an expression that sounds more natural
than the literal one.
• Particularization: it is just to translate one element into one even more specific. It is the opposite of
generalization. So, we do the inverse work.
• Substitution: this method substitutes linguistic elements for paralinguistic ones (intonation,
gestures) by interchanging them or vice versa. Note: technique mostly used in interpretation.
See: translating the gesture of placing hands together as meaning of “Gracias”.
• Literal translation: most known and preferred technique among scientific translators. This technique
possesses one golden rule: do not omit, do not change, do not add but give words of the original text,
give ideas of the original text, the translation should be read and felt like an original work and lastly,
it should reflect the style of the original text.
with this technique we translate word per word, keeping the same syntaxis, style and register.
See: “They are as like as two peas” > “Se parecen como dos guisantes/arvejas”.
• Transposition: it means to “transport” elements from one category to another BUT keeping the same
meaning. In other words, making grammatical or structural modifications but saving the meaning.
See: “He will soon be back” > “Ya va a volver” or “No tardará en venir”.
• Variation: to change linguistic or paralinguistic elements that may affect the linguistic variation such
as changes in textual tones, social dialects, or style.
You can see this kind of technique when you need to translate something from the adult world into
the children’s understanding.
 Translation practice:
Read the following extracts and translate into Spanish using literal translating but also recurring to other
techniques when being too literal ruins the meaning or idea of the text.
You may use dictionaries such as Cambridge Online Dictionary, Oxford’s Dictionary, or its online version.
Wordreference (website or app) is a good choice as well.
Of course, you may also use a paperback dictionary as well.

Fragment 1:
Digital archaeologists find occasional gems in the vast European information repository. Taken from the
mountain of uncatalogued ephemera, this text is written in a style suggesting composition in the early 21st
century, possibly even on paper.
Dear Diary,
Day 1 of our boating holiday on the Sûre in Luxembourg! Up at the crack of dawn to get to the departure
point. Ten minutes to learn the ropes and then off we set in our canoes! There was not a breath of wind as
we drifted downstream, sometimes passing an angler staring intently at his float, or a group of children
paddling. When I commented that the signs on the two sides of the river looked like they were written in
different languages, Dad grinned: “They’re two different countries – Germany on our left and Luxembourg
on our right! We’re navigating pretty much along the border!”
After last night’s hotel (really scraping the bottom of the barrel!), I was prepared for the worst tonight, but I
have my own room with its own bathroom and everything! In the lounge, I scraped together enough German
to introduce myself to an Austrian group I met, and soon we were chatting away nineteen to the dozen.
Dinner was hearty – fine by me as I had worked up a ravenous appetite. But soon I felt my eyelids drooping
and excused myself. So here I am, writing by the light of my bedside lamp, looking forward to new adventures
on the waterways of Europe tomorrow.

Fragment 2:
The following passage is an excerpt from a legal article from an international wire service:

A federal judge announced that Target Corporation and Bed Bath & Beyond, Inc. must face a lawsuit claiming they sold
linens that were falsely labelled “100% Egyptian Cotton” or “100% Long-Staple Egyptian cotton,” despite being
suspicious of their origin.

Monday’s decision by a federal judge in New York addressed claims that consumers nationwide overpaid for
mislabelled cotton produced by an Indian textile company. Egyptian cotton often commands a premium price because
of its prestige, and because its long fibres yield a softer and more durable fabric.

The judge stated that consumers may pursue claims of breach of warranty and negligent misrepresentation against
the retailers, as well as a U.S. unit of the textile manufacturing company. Consumers may also proceed with fraud
claims against the manufacturer.

Fraud claims against the retailers were dismissed because there was no clear evidence of “fraudulent intent.” New
York and California consumers were allowed to sue the retailers under the consumer protective laws of those states.

A lawyer for the manufacturer and Bed Bath & Beyond declined to comment. Lawyers for Target Corp. did not
immediately respond to requests for comment.
According to the complaint, the retailers sold the “Egyptian” cotton well into 2016 even though Target and Bed Bath
& Beyond had known for several months that the cotton was mislabelled. Both retailers stopped selling the linens in
question later in the year.

Fragment 3:
Benefits of Being Bilingual:

Language evolution has taken place over the years in different parts of the world. Languages have changed and
developed through social needs. To communicate with different groups for trade, travel, and other reasons people
have started using more than one language. Many countries also have more than one official language. There are
some prominent benefits of being bilingual as revealed through various research and analysis. Let’s discuss some of
the cognitive benefits of being bilingual.

Develop Brain Power

Learning a second language other than a native language develops a person’s learning aptitude and helps in a great
way to keep the brain alert and healthy. It can improve creativity, problem-solving skills, attention control, and
confidence. Learning other languages from an early stage can help improve a child’s educational development, social
and emotional skills that have positive effects for many years to come. It is also found that people who are conversant
with more than one language can process information more efficiently and easily.

Improve Cultural Awareness

Being bilingual gives an individual an opportunity to get exposed to diverse cultures, ideas, and perspectives by way
of learning and communication. The children who are born and brought up in different countries get to learn different
languages besides the home language. The benefits of being bilingual can be seen in children as they acknowledge the
value of other cultures and heritage.

Enhance Social Life

Knowing a second language gives the ability for more social interactions and enhances social skills. The benefits of
being bilingual are to connect with a wider range of people; express and interact with more confidence in social
situations. This skill often makes you more presentable and attractive while building meaningful relationships.
Learning a country’s language when traveling to that country gives a more immersive and authentic experience. It
would be easier to communicate with the local language and make more friends. Bilingual skills help individuals to
adjust with others from varying cultures and backgrounds. Through this communication skill, one can be more
perceptive of others, and be more empathetic.

Better Job Opportunities:

One of the benefits of being bilingual is new career and job opportunities. Companies with international offices and
client bases consider bilingualism an added advantage. Multilingual consumers constitute a major part of the
commercial force and represent a significant opportunity for business. So there are demands for employees who can
speak other languages and navigate different cultural expectations. Fields like travel and tourism, healthcare,
journalism, and national security give priority to candidates with bilingual language skills.

After translating each fragment, you need to say which words, expressions or references were harder to
translate and if you made use of which technique.