Towards a Methodology for Exploiting Specialized Target Language Corpora as Translation Resources

2000 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lynne Bowker

Specialized target language (TL) corpora constitute an extremely valuable resource for translators, and although no specialized tools have been developed for extracting translation data from such corpora, this paper argues that translators would be remiss not to consult such resources. We describe the advantages of using specialized TL corpora and outline a number of techniques that translators can use in order to extract translation data from such corpora with the aid of generic corpus analysis tools. These advantages and techniques are demonstrated with reference to two translations, one of which was done using only conventional resources and the other with the help of a corpus.

Author(s):  
Bairon Oswaldo Vélez

This paper comments on the first Spanish translation of João Guimarães Rosa's short story "Páramo", which narrates the exile of a Brazilian lost with mountain sickness in a cold and hostile Bogotá. This translation is briefly explained in the following pages, giving special emphasis to some prominent features of the original version, in addition to the cultural context, critical and theoretical readings and the translation strategy evident in the translator‘s intervention. Finally, it is made clear how a certain perspective of the other – present in the original version as well – passes through the translation process and indicates the conditions of its presentation in the target language. The original article is in Portuguese.


2021 ◽  
pp. 026765832110158
Author(s):  
Radek Skarnitzl ◽  
Petr Čermák ◽  
Pavel Šturm ◽  
Zora Obstová ◽  
Jan Hricsina

The use of linking or glottalization contributes to the characteristic sound pattern of a language, and the use of one in place of the other may affect a speaker’s comprehensibility and fluency in certain contexts. In this study, native speakers of Czech, a language that is associated with a frequent use of glottalization in vowel-initial word onsets, are examined in the second language (L2) context of three Romance languages that predominantly employ linking between words (Spanish, Italian and Portuguese). In total, 29 native speakers and 51 non-native learners were asked to read a short text in the respective language. The learners were divided into two groups based on their experience with the target language. A number of other factors were examined in a mixed-effects logistic regression model (segmental context, lexical stress, prosodic breaks, and the semantic status of the words). The main results show that, regardless of the target language, the more experienced (ME) learners displayed significantly lower rates of glottalization than the less experienced (LE) learners, but significantly higher rates than native speakers. The pedagogical implications of the results are discussed.


2018 ◽  
Vol 134 (4) ◽  
pp. 1154-1176
Author(s):  
Alice Bodoc ◽  
Mihaela Gheorghe

Abstract The present paper aims to present an inventory of Romanian middle contructions (se‑verbal constructions), and to extend the analysis to other structures (with or without se) that were not previously investigated, but exhibit the same characteristics, and seem to allow middle reading (adjunct middles). Since Jespersen (1927), middles were attested cross-linguistically, and the focus on middles is justified if we consider the fact that this is an interesting testing ground for theories of syntax, semantics and their interaction (Fagan 1992). Starting from Grahek’s definition (2008, 44), in this paper, middles are a heterogeneous class of constructions that share formal properties of both active and passive structures: on the one hand, they have active verb forms, but, on the other hand, like passives, they have understood subjects and normally display promoted objects. The corpus analysis will focus on the particular contexts in which the middle reading is triggered: i) the adverbial modification; ii) the modal/procedural interpretation of the event; iii) the responsibility of the subject; iv) the arbitrary interpretation of the implicit argument which follows from the generic interpretation (Steinbach 2002).


2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 216
Author(s):  
Reham M Al-Mohtadi ◽  
Eid H El-Subhieen ◽  
Ahmad A Al-khattab

<p>The study aimed to discuss the moral and social values embodied in the books contents of national interactive curriculum for kindergartens in Jordan; through analyzing such books’ contents. For the purposes of this study, a list of proposed moral and social values was prepared, including twenty eight values. Word, phrase and image are considered herein as analysis tools. The Generated outputs referred to 360 values which are contained in the books of national interactive curriculum for kindergartens in Jordan. The National Social values field occupied the first rank of 256 repetitions, at 71.11%. On the other hand, family personal values field occupied the 2<sup>nd</sup>. rank; 104 repetitions at 28.89%. The outputs also displayed the availability of many suitable moral and social values stipulated for in the study tool. In turn, it was noticed the unavailability of many suitable moral and social values.</p>


2020 ◽  
pp. 333-355
Author(s):  
Joanna Szerszunowicz ◽  

The aim of this paper is to discuss the usefulness and reliability of the onomasiological approach in the cross-linguistic analysis of fixed multiword expressions based on the example of Polish phrases coined according to the model: ADJECTIVENOM FEM SING + GŁOWA ‘HEAD’ and their English and Italian counterparts. The three corpora are constituted by expressions registered in general and phraseological dictionaries of the respective languages to ensure that the units belong to the canon of Polish, English and Italian phraseological stock. The analysis of units collected for the purpose of the study clearly shows that in order to determine the true picture of cross-linguistic equivalence, the study should be focused on semantics of analysed phrases. Furthermore, the formal aspectmay be of minor significance in some cases due to the similarity of imagery of a source language idiom and the target language lexical item. On the other hand, stylistic value may have a great impact on the relation of cross-linguistic correspondence of the analysed units.


2021 ◽  
pp. 238-256
Author(s):  
Amal Arrame

Translation is not simple transpositions operations or transcoding processes from one language to another, it involves complex mental processes where linguistics alone cannot be sufficient. It is a communication situation between two languages, Arabic and French in this case, where the objective of the translator is the transmission of his final product in a clear way, respecting the meaning and the author intention of the original version. Translation of phrases is a real dilemma for translators; however, it turns out that it is a necessity in order to discover the other, and to try to keep the same effect as the source text by giving it a stylistic touch typical to the target language. To this end, we have carefully chosen the corpus that we have translated. A corpus that reflects the originality of the Arabic language and the possibility of reducing the linguistic, cultural and discursive gaps between Arabic and French through translation. The translation processes we have chosen, take into account the target language, French in this case, its idioms, phrases and proverbs inventory, its particularity and, finally, its ability to comprehend the idea contained in the idioms of the source language.


Target ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 333-357 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paola Venturi

Translations are facts of target cultures, but the perceived status of source texts has a bearing on how these are reflected or refracted in the target language. This proposition is particularly evident in the case of classics: when translators have to work on literary creations occupying a pivotal position in the source/target cultures, they adopt strategies of literalness and ennoblement which betray a quasi-religious awe—on the one hand, a desire to ruffle the surface of the revered original as little as possible; and on the other, a determination to reproduce the supposed ‘classical qualities’ of the classic even when they are not present in the source. In the following article, I examine how the ‘idea of classic’ influences translation theory and practice, substantiating my theoretical observations by looking at Italian translations of English classics. A marked—and historically determined—disparity between source and target readerships, and the translators’ reverence for their prestigious originals, conspire to produce Italian versions which are much more ‘wooden’ and ‘elegant’ than their English counterparts.


2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 338-363 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Yeldham

This study examined the influence of formulaic language on second language (L2) listeners’ lower-level processing, in terms of their ability to accurately identify the words in texts. On the one hand, there were reasons for expecting the presence of the formulas to advantage the learners, because the learners would process these formulaic words more holistically than the surrounding non-formulaic words. On the other hand, though, because formulas are commonly uttered in more reduced fashion than their surrounding non-formulaic words – and L2 learners commonly face challenges understanding reduced speech – it was possible that the formulas would negatively impact the learners’ processing. The participants listened to four texts, which were paused intermittently for them to transcribe the final stretch of words they had heard prior to each pause. The researcher had previously categorized these words as being part of formulas or non-formulas through corpus analysis. By comparing the listeners’ identification of the formulaic and the non-formulaic language, the study found that formulaic language facilitated their lower-level listening. This degree of advantage, however, varied across text difficulty level and listener proficiency level. Based on the findings, implications for L2 listening instruction are discussed.


2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 154-170
Author(s):  
Nasimah Abdullah ◽  
Lubna Abd. Rahman ◽  
Abur Hamdi Usman

A mutashabihat verse (anthropomorphism) is a verse that contains many interpretations as it has various dimensions of meaning. Explicitation is one of the translation procedures introduced by Vinay and Darbelnet as an effort to make the target language readers understand clearly the implicit meaning contained in the source text. In other words, the implicit meaning contained in the source text can be revealed into the target text through this procedure. A translator whose role is to transfer the meaning of source text is always bounded by a certain ideology that will influence his translation works. This study aims to examine the forms of explicitation used in the translation of the mutashabihat verses in the Quran and relate them to translators’ ideologies. This study adopted a qualitative approach that led to the analysis of text content of the Quran, which is elaborated descriptively by selecting three (3) words found in the text of the Quran that is related to Allah, as the sample of the study which are )يد( ,)استوى( and (أعين ). The corpus texts used are the Malay Quran translation by Abdullah Basmeih, Mahmud Yunus, and Zaini Dahlan. The findings showed that the translation of the mutashabihat verses used various forms of explicitation to enhance a clearer understanding of the target readers to the meaning of the Qur'an, such as lexical specification, the addition of explanatory remarks, additional information in brackets and footnotes. In addition, studies found that Mahmud Yunus and Zaini Dahlan retained the meaning of translated mutashabihat verses literally without giving an esoteric interpretation of the Quran and sometimes inclined towards the ideology of al-Ta’wil. On the other hand, Abdullah Basmeih was more prone to the ideologies of al-Ta’wil and al-Ithbat bi Dawabit in translating the verses. ABSTRAK Ayat mutashabihat ialah ayat yang mengandungi banyak pentafsiran kerana mempunyai pelbagai dimensi makna. Eksplisitasi pula ialah salah satu prosedur terjemahan yang diperkenalkan oleh Vinay dan Darbelnet sebagai usaha agar pembaca bahasa sasaran memahami dengan jelas makna implisit yang terkandung di dalam teks sumber. Melalui prosedur ini, bentuk makna implisit yang terkandung di dalam teks sumber dapat dizahirkan ke dalam teks sasaran. Penterjemah selaku pihak yang memainkan peranan dalam memindahkan makna sebenarnya sentiasa terikat dengan ideologi tertentu yang akan mewarnai teks sasaran yang dihasilkannya. Kajian ini bertujuan meneliti bentuk eksplisitasi yang terdapat dalam terjemahan ayat-ayat mutashabihat dalam al-Quran serta menghubungkaitkannya dengan pengaruh aliran pemikiran yang dipegang oleh penterjemah. Kajian ini menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif yang menjurus kepada analisis kandungan teks al-Quran yang dihurai secara deskriptif dengan memilih tiga (3) perkataan yang dinisbahkan kepada Allah SWT yang terdapat dalam teks al-Quran sebagai sampel kajian iaitu lafaz )ىوتسا(, )دي( dan (أعين ). Korpus kajian pula adalah teks al-Quran yang diterjemahkan oleh Abdullah Basmeih, Mahmud Yunus dan Zaini Dahlan. Hasil kajian menunjukkan bahawa terjemahan ayat-ayat mutashabihat menggunakan pelbagai bentuk eksplisitasi untuk memberi kefahaman yang lebih jelas kepada pembaca sasaran terhadap makna al-Quran iaitu bentuk pengkhususan, penambahan maklumat, maklumat tambahan dalam kurungan dan nota kaki. Selain itu, kajian juga mendapati bahawa Mahmud Yunus dan Zaini Dahlan mengekalkan makna literal teks al-Quran tanpa takwilan dan kadang-kadang condong kepada aliran pemikiran al-Ta’wil dalam menterjemahkan ayat mutashabihat. Manakala Abdullah Basmeih pula lebih cenderung kepada aliran pemikiran al-Takwil dan al-Ithbat bi Dawabit dalam memberikan maksud ayat mutashabihat.


2020 ◽  

Recognition, Regulation, Revitalisation: Place Names and Indigenous Languages is a selection of double-blind peer-reviewed papers from the 5th International Symposium on Place Names that took place 18-20 September 2020 in Clarens, South Africa. The symposium celebrated 2019 as the International Year of Indigenous Languages as declared by the United Nations. Some of the studies in this publication excavate lost or disappearing indigenous toponyms. Those researchers contribute in a very concrete way to the preservation of indigenous toponyms, and thereby also the associated cultural heritage. The other papers explore how place naming functions as a mechanism with which to create mental maps and exert socio-political power. These proceedings are the outcome of international collaboration between Southern African and international scholars. As such, it is a valuable resource to local as well as international scholars who are interested in the interdisciplinary field of toponomy.


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