Theoretical models of

translation
1. Correspondence theory.
2. Equivalence theory.
3. Transformations in translation.
4. Semantic theory of translation.
5. Situational approach.
6. Denotative translation model.
7. Communicative model of analysis.
8. Cognitive linguistic methods applied to translation.
Correspondence theory

Nida argued that there are two different types of equivalence, namely formal
equivalence (formal correspondence) and dynamic equivalence.

Formal correspondence 'focuses attention on the message itself, in both form

and content', unlike dynamic equivalence which is based upon 'the principle of
equivalent effect'.
Formal correspondence

Formal correspondence consists of a TL item which represents the closest

equivalent of a SL word or phrase. There are not always formal equivalents
between language pairs. The use of formal equivalents might at times have
serious implications in the TT since the translation will not be easily
understood by the target audience.

Dynamic correspondence

Dynamic equivalence is defined as a translation principle according to which a

translator seeks to translate the meaning of the original in such a way that the
TL wording will trigger the same impact on the TC audience as the original
wording did upon the ST audience.
Equivalence theory

Roman Jakobson's study of equivalence gave new impetus to the theoretical

analysis of translation since he introduced the notion of 'equivalence in
difference'. On the basis of his semiotic approach to language, he suggests
three kinds of translation:

● Intralingual (within one language, i.e. rewording or paraphrase);

● Interlingual (between two languages);
● Intersemiotic (between sign systems).
Jakobson claims that:

● in interlingual translations there is no full equivalence between code units;

● translation involves two equivalent messages in two different codes;
● the translator may face the problem of not finding a translation equivalent;
● whenever there is deficiency, terminology may be qualified and amplified
by loanwords or loan-translations, neologisms or semantic shifts, and
finally, by circumlocutions;
● where there is no a literal equivalent for a particular ST word or sentence,
then it is up to the translator to choose the most suitable way to render it in
the TT.
 Translation model

Translation model — a conventional description of mental operations on speech

and language units, conducted by a translator, and their explanation.

Translation model is used in machine translation to help the machine perform

exactly the same way as a real translator does in the process of translation. Some
of them are good for this and some are not.

Four types: situational, semantic, transformational, semantic-transformational.

Transformations in translation

At the sentence level, the most common transformations every translator

makes are:

1) omission, 2) addition, 3) transposition, 4) change of grammatical forms,

5) loss compensation, 6) concretization, 7) generalization 8) antonymic
translation, 9) meaning extension, 10) metonymic translation, 11) sentence
integration, 12) sentence fragmentation.
 Transformational model of translation
Stages:
● analysis: SL structures are transformed into nuclear structures of SL;
● translation: basic units of SL are translated into the basic units of TL;
● synthesis: basic units of TL are transformed into the terminal structures of TL.

Advantages: provides us with transformation techniques; explains how we translate equivalent-

lacking structures; important for teaching translation because it recommends to transform a
complex structure into simple ones; good for machine translation.

Disadvantages: inability to explain the choice of the transformation made; the facts of
translation equivalence on the situational level; ignores sociocultural and extralinguistic aspects.
 Semantic model of translation
Semantic model is one that places special emphasis on semantic structures of the source and
target texts.

Stages:

● analysis: to single out the meaningful elements of the original;

● translation: choose the TL units that most closely express the same content elements
(switch from the SL basic language to the TL basic language);
● synthesis: to verbalize the semantic categories of TL.
 Semantic model of translation

Advantages: gives a good explanation of the translation equivalence and reasons for translation
failures when irrelevant semes have been taking into consideration; explains the mechanism of
selecting one variable among synonyms: chosen synonym has the greatest number of relevant
semes similar to the SL word.

Disadvantages: process of singling out semes is very difficult; ignores connotations of the word
and the function of the text.
 Situational model of translation

Situational model — a type of model, when not words, but ideas are translated. It is based on
the identity of the situations described in the ST and TL. Extralinguistic factors are important.

Stages:
● breakthrough to the situation;
● description of the situation in TL.

Advantages: the translator can make several choices: he can borrow the foreign word, equate it
with a similar TL realia, invent a new TL word, etc.

Disadvantages: it does not describe the mechanism of translation itself, it doesn’t help machine
translation.
 Denotative translation model

Denotative model is the process of communication between people that involves the exchange
of thoughts and information about the surrounding and imaginary world.

To denote means to indicate either the thing a word names or the situation a sentence names.
Hence is the term of denotative meaning, or referential meaning, i.e. the meaning relating a
language unit to the external world; and the term of denotation,or a particular and explicit
meaning of a symbol.

To translate correctly, a translator has to comprehend the situation denoted by the source text -
as P. Newmark stressed, one should translate ideas, not words.
 Communicative model of analysis

Communicative translation is a translation method that attempts to render the exact contextual
meaning of the source language so that both content and language are readily acceptable and
comprehensible to the readership.

Communicative translation is intended purposeful activity developing all language skills. It is a

lively process in which the target language acquisition takes place.
Communicative translation

● Is focused on the target text and aims to ensure that the reader will
understand the message of the text;
● Attempts to render the exact contextual meaning of the original, in such a
way that, both content and language are readily acceptable and
comprehensible to the readership;
● This method displays the exact contextual meaning of the original text in a
manner where both content and language are easily acceptable and
comprehensible to the readers.
 Cognitive linguistic methods applied to
translation

Perhaps the most basic principle of Cognitive Linguistics is the belief that language is a product
of cognitive abilities: cognitive linguistics beliefs that all linguistics modules should be
considered in relation with other mental faculties (memory, attention), this proposal is known as
cognitive commitment (Lakoff).

The Cognitive Linguistics allow us to bring together language and culture in the speakers’
cognitive context. A furthermore cognitive approach to translation is that to take account of the
role of human cognitive abilities in linguistic and translation issues.
Thanks for your attention!