TASK 9/10:

- What is equivalence?
- Are all words translatable?
- What makes English and Vietnamese different?

Equivalence in translation refers to the concept of finding a suitable replacement or

corresponding expression in the TL for a given SL expression. It involves capturing the
meaning, intent, and effect of the SL in the translation while taking into account cultural and
linguistic differences. Equivalence can be achieved at different levels, such as lexical
(word-for-word), syntactic (structure-for-structure), or pragmatic (communicative function).

Not all words are translatable in a direct and straightforward manner. Some words may
lack an exact equivalent in another language due to cultural, linguistic, or conceptual
differences. Cultural concepts, idiomatic expressions, and context-specific terms are often
challenging to translate precisely. Translators may need to employ strategies such as
paraphrasing, using cultural equivalents, or providing explanations to convey the meaning
effectively.

English and Vietnamese differ in several aspects.

DIFFERENCE ENGLISH VIETNAMESE

Language family English is a Germanic Vietnamese is an

language Austroasiatic language.

Pronouns English does not have Vnese does (similar to some

hierarchy in pronoun system Asian languages).

Syllable English is a multi-syllable Vietnamese is a

language mono-syllable language

Ex: international Ex: bàn, ghế, ăn,...

/ˌɪn.t̬ ɚˈnæʃ.ən.əl/

Tense 12 tenses Vnese words don’t change

their form to express tense
Vocabulary English has a large number while Vietnamese has been
of borrowed words from influenced by Chinese and
various languages French, among others.