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Translation, communication

and text types

Do the text features influence


translation strategies?
Translation and Communication
• Translation is a case of communication,
and it does not require a separate
theoretical approach.
• In order to understand the message we
must interpret it first
• First we identify what is most relevant
• We apply the minimal processing effort
The relevance Theory and Translation

• This means that the practical contribution of relevance theory to


translation is comparable to that of, say, the science of
chemistry to chemical engineering.. Just like an adequate
understanding of the cause-effect relations at work in chemical
processes is prerequisite to successful chemical engineering,
the better the translator's understanding of the cause-effect
relations that both enable and limit translation as an act of
communication, the better s/he is equipped to find solutions at
the translation desk that work. The aim is neither to describe or
categorise translation as a text genre nor to prescribe standards
or guidelines on how translation is to be done
Comparison
Relevance Theory Translation Theory
• General model oof • Particular strategies and
communication solutions relevant to
• http://homepage.ntlworld. interlingual
com/ernst-august.gutt/ communication
, E. Gutt,Translation and • For instance, TAPs, see
relevance: Cognition and Bernardini on the
context. Manchester: St. website.
Jerome Publishing (2nd
edition) 2004. See also
the paper on the website.
Text function and text characteristics

J.L. Austin, How to do things with words?

K. Bühler’s language functions:


Informative
Expressive
Vocative
Text functions

• Informative – ‘plain’ style, topic


foregrounded.
• Expressive – elaborate style, sender
foregrounded.
• Vocative – to induce a receiver’s
behaviour
Text types and functions – K. Reiss
• Informative
• reference book
• report
• play
• tourist brochure sermon
• electoral speech

• advertisement

• poem
• Expressive Operative
Text type and translation

Text type Informative Expressive Operative

Language Representing Expressing Making an


function facts attitude appeal
Language Logical Aesthetic Dialogical
dimension
Text focus Content Form focused Appellative
focused focused
TT should Transfer Transfer Elicit desired
content aesthetic form response
Translation Plain prose, Adopt ST Equivalent
method clarification perspective effect
Text types and translatability –
R.Salmon-Kovarsky
• A. Highly specific texts

- informative
- high content of specialized vocabulary
-conventional form of expression

Translation possible to teach and learn by means of extensive


practice
Text types and translatability –
R.Salmon-Kovarsky
• B. Literary texts
(a) written in ‘literary language’
- contain some information to be conveyed
- contain little or no specialized vocabulary
- contain high degree of conventional form and
expression
(intertextuality/ imitation)

Translation difficult to teach and learn


Text types and translatability –
R.Salmon
• B. Literary texts
(b) written in the ‘language of literature’
- invention/estrangement effect
- stylistic complexity
- iinformation unimportant
- novelty value
(can be and often is imitated)

Translation nearly impossible to teach; each type a new strategy is


required
Text types and translatability –
R.Salmon-Kovarsky
• C. Hybrid texts
Combination of A and B (more often B(b)

Translation difficult to teach and learn.


Text type - examples

“ My father
always said,
other apples ripen,
only
Coxes mature.”
Text type - examples

Greg the Greek


Crossed the creek
And in that creek he stuck a stick.
A quick, strict crawfish gripped the stick,
Stuck out his claw and
Tweaked the Greek
Text type - examples

This wine has intense ruby-red colour and the nose is


packed with layers of cinnamon, caramel, candy
and hints of mint with a prevalence of fruit over
the American oak. This spicy full flavoured wine,
with good body, fruit and firm tannins has an
engaging and strong finish. Also recommended for
short cellaring.
Text type - examples

Dear Sir,
News from Madrid, Spain.
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Schools compiled by Brian Harris.
For your information and guidance we started our School of
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distance learning which operate quite successfully.

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