scholarly journals The Role of Coherence in Text Approaching and Comprehension: Applications in Translation Didactics

2007 ◽  
Vol 52 (1) ◽  
pp. 146-155
Author(s):  
Georgia Kostopoulou
Keyword(s):  
Translation Studies ◽  
Translation Process ◽  
Text Linguistics ◽  
Low Coherence ◽  
Types Of Knowledge ◽  
Methodological Problems ◽  
Product And Process ◽  
Linguistic Approach ◽  
High Coherence

Abstract The communicative text-linguistic approach to the study of texts and their theoretical and methodological problems plays an important role in Translation Studies and in Translation Didactics. The need to use and utilise the textual factors in the translation process and teaching is apparent in various linguistic and translational theories given that Translation, an act of speech and communication, is not performed at the level of language, but at the level of the text and discourse, utilising both linguistic and extralinguistic devices. This paper examines one of the seven textual factors, according to the basic theory of de Beaugrande and Dressler, i.e., the factor of coherence. Given that coherence expresses the logical consistency of utterances in terms of content – and therefore the construction of meaning – concepts such as knowledge, patterns and types of knowledge, frames and scripts, memory, are crucial for describing and examining this factor when approaching and understanding a text. Moreover, the interconnection of text linguistics, translation and cognition is evident, considering de Beaugrande’s argument (1999) that “text linguistics has always had a resolutely cognitive orientation because the text must be described as both product and process.” Furthermore, we shall examine how teachers of translation courses may take into account these concepts and elements when choosing texts for translation purposes, and utilise the theory of high-coherence and low-coherence texts (D. McNamara) in order to assist translator trainees in enhancing their extralinguistic knowledge and in using their prior knowledge during the comprehension/decoding phase of the translation act.

Una aproximación empírica a la ­clasificación y traducción de las figuras retóricas en la publicidad

Babel ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 57 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Calzada Perez
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Investigation ◽  
Great Majority ◽  
Translation Studies ◽  
The Other ◽  
Translation Process ◽  
New Rhetoric ◽  
Rhetorical Figures ◽  
Ancient Times ◽  
The One

Since ancient times the suasive value of rhetorical figures has been vastly studied. In fact, Aristotle himself argued that the aim of rhetoric was not just to persuade but to find the best methods of persuasion (Aristotle, Retorica, ed. 1990). These methods have been frequently used in advertising, where they are employed to capture the consumer’s attention and, consequently, to sell the advertised product. However (despite the frequent appearance of rhetorical figures in advertising), there is a scarcity of studies on the role of these persuasive mechanisms in the translation of publicity. Bearing upon the “new rhetoric”, the present paper has a twofold purpose. On the one hand, it aims to import a clear taxonomy of rhetorical figures from advertising into translation studies and subsequently to illustrate the transfer of these figures. On the other hand, it analyses the behaviour of rhetorical figures in the translation process by means of an empirical investigation whose goal it is to further categorise them in a systematic and rational way. Drawing upon the seminal work of McQuarrie and his collaborators, the paper performs a quantitative analysis of a corpus of 120 matching pairs consisting of English advertisements and their existing Spanish counterparts. Results evidence that a great majority of rhetorical figures are “translated”, thus confirming the globalising tendencies of advertising.

Taming iconicity in the Spanish and Italian translations of Shakespeare’s Sonnets

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 105-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francisco Gonzálvez-García
Keyword(s):  
Sensory Perception ◽  
Translation Studies ◽  
Construction Grammar ◽  
Literary Translation ◽  
Source Text ◽  
Selected Lines ◽  
Causative Constructions ◽  
Linguistic Approach ◽  
Secondary Predication

Abstract Building on Tabakowska’s (1993, 2003, 2005, 2009, 2013) full-blown defense of a cognitive linguistic approach to literary translation as well as on previous research dealing with the implementations of Construction Grammar(s) for translation studies (Szymańska 2011a, 2011b; Serbina 2015), this paper critically examines the role of iconicity in selected lines from Shakespeare’s Sonnets capitalizing on the passage of Time-Death and their corresponding translations in present-day Spanish and Italian. Specifically, drawing on Cognitive Construction Grammar (Goldberg 2006) and Contrastive Construction Grammar (Boas 2010a; Boas & Gonzálvez-García 2014), I focus on instances of secondary predication with verbs of sensory perception, causative constructions and aspectual constructions iconically connected with the above-mentioned motif and demonstrate that iconicity emerges as a very useful communicative ‘filter’ that can help to minimize any undesirable arbitrariness which may obscure the semantico-pragmatic interpretation of the source text and/or its rendering into the target text.

Syntax, Discourse Analysis, and Translation Studies

Babel ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. 126-137 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonia Colina
Keyword(s):  
Discourse Analysis ◽  
Recent Literature ◽  
Translation Studies ◽  
Translation Theory ◽  
Text Linguistics ◽  
Formal Systems ◽  
Discourse Functions ◽  
And Linguistics ◽  
Professional Translator

Abstract The linguistics of the 60s and 70s did not prove to be of much help to translation and translation theory, due to the emphasis placed on languages as formal systems. However, newer directions of linguistics research which focus on the communicative function of language, such as text linguistics, discourse analysis, pragmatics, have much to offer to translation studies. This paper shows how discourse analysis can be applied to translation and highlights some of the benefits of knowledge of linguistics and discourse analysis for the translation teacher, the student and the professional translator. In addition, it joins recent literature on translation studies and linguistics (House and Blum-Kulka 1986; Hatim and Mason 1990; Neubert and Shreve 1992; Baker 1992) in calling for a more influential role of linguistics in translation studies and translation theory. Working within discourse analysis and, in particular, syntax in discourse, i.e. discourse functions of syntactic constructions, the present study examines the discourse functions of the passive in Spanish and in English. The paper first presents a contrastive description of the textual functions of the passive in English and in Spanish based on a corpus of original texts in both languages. Then a discourse-based explanation for the differences is provided. Finally, the author examines the solutions found in translation as well as the analysis' efficiency in predicting and/or explaining such solutions. Résumé La linguistique des années 60 et 70, période pendant laquelle la langue était conçue comme un système formel, ne se prêtait pas bien à la traduction et à sa théorie. La recherche portant sur la linguistique a depuis changé d'orientation; on reconnaît maintenant l'aspect communicatif de la langue. On accorde donc une importance particulière à la linguistique, à l'analyse du discours et à la pragmatique, entre autres, ce qui se prête beaucoup mieux au concept de la traduction. La présente étude démontre comment on peut appliquer l'analyse de la rédaction à la traduction et souligne quelques-uns des avantages qu'offre la connaissance de cette analyse et de la linguistique pour l'enseignant, l'étudiant et le traducteur professionnel. De plus, l'auteur se joint aux auteurs d'études récentes portant sur la traduction et la linguistique (House et Blum-Kulka, 1986; Hatim et Mason, 1990; Neubert et Shreve, 1992; Baker, 1992) en recommandant un rôle plus important pour la linguistique dans l'étude et la théorie de la traduction. A l'aide d'une analyse du discours, et plus particulièrement de la syntaxe, c'est-à-dire de la fonction de la syntaxe dans la rédaction, le rapport examine l'emploi du passif dans les langues espagnole et anglaise. On établit d'abord le contraste entre la fonction textuelle du passif dans la langue anglaise et celle dans la langue espagnole en étudiant un corpus de textes dans les deux langues. On explique ensuite la différence du point de vue de la rédaction. Enfin, l'auteur examine les solutions qu'apporte la traduction et l'efficacité de l'analyse pour prévoir et pour expliquer ces solutions.

scholarly journals Zum Transfer kulturspezifischer Textbedeutungen. Theoretische und methodische Überlegungen aus einer semiotischen Perspektive

2009 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Angelika Hennecke
Keyword(s):  
Text Analysis ◽  
Specific Situation ◽  
Translation Process ◽  
Types Of Knowledge ◽  
Semiotic Model ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Theoretical Conception ◽  
Theoretical Reflection ◽  
Language Text

This paper discusses the role of cultural specific text elements in the constitution of the meaning of the text and focuses the problems which these elements can cause in the translation process. It is based on a description of the translation process as symbiosis of the three categories language, text and culture in a specific situation. The described comprehension of translation turns the question of the methodology of the cultural transfer into a key question that consequently has an impact on the praxis and didactics of translation. The meaning of a text is the result of a complex interaction of different systems in which different types of knowledge are activated. The central question is how culture manifests itself within texts and how these manifestations can be reconstructed, i.e. how the translator's decisions can be made transparent in the context of the transfer. Firstly there is a theoretical reflection on the interdependence of the three categories language, culture and text in which the underlying semiotic conception of text and culture is outlined. On this basis a pragma-semiotic model of the constitution of the text as a complex sign is presented, and a methodology for an integrative text analysis is deduced from this theoretical conception of text constitution. The different forms of cultural specific elements are analyzed and categorized, whereas in addition to the traditional manifestations the concept of intertextuality is introduced and discussed as an important fact for the pragmatic and cultural coherence of the text. The defined forms of cultural specific text elements are illustrated by a number of examples taken from translation praxis and classroom. All the examples are translations from Spanish into German. Finally, the practical and didactical implications, which are of great importance for the training of further translators, are discussed.

From academia to courtroom: Perception of and expectations from the legal translator’s role

2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniele Orlando ◽  
Mitja Gialuz
Keyword(s):  
Translation Studies ◽  
Translation Process ◽  
The Subject

AbstractWhile both translation process and product have been the subject of abundant research, in the Translation Studies literature there seems to be a lack of focus on the role of the translator (Dam, Helle V. & Karen Korning Zethsen. 2009. Translation studies: Focus on the translator.

scholarly journals Translating Law into a Dictionary. A Terminographic Model

2011 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 177-186 ◽  
Author(s):  
Weronika Szemińska
Keyword(s):  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Translation Studies ◽  
Translation Process ◽  
Separate Type ◽  
Legal Texts ◽  
Specialist Knowledge

The purpose of the paper is to present a model dictionary which could serve as a tool for professional translators of legal texts. Firstly, the methodological approach which was adopted in order to create the model is delineated. It is based on the combined specialist knowledge of three disciplines, namely terminography, translation studies and law. Subsequently, the notion of the translation dictionary as a separate type of terminological dictionary is presented, with particular emphasis on the unit of translation and translation equivalence. The following part of the paper characterises translation of legal texts and its implications concerning the needs of the translator as well as the role of the dictionary in the translation process. Finally, the paper proposes a model dictionary, constructed according to the methodological rules determined at the beginning and in the light of the conclusions drawn from the following analysis.

scholarly journals SEMANTIC FEATURES OF LEXICAL UNITS AND THE MAIN ASPECTS OF THEIR TRANSLATION PROBLEMS

2021 ◽  
pp. 73-97
Author(s):  
Oksana Bovkunova
Keyword(s):  
Essential Role ◽  
Native Language ◽  
Translation Studies ◽  
Semantic Features ◽  
Translation Process ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Correct Understanding ◽  
Translation Systems ◽  
Selection Of

The article examines the linguistic and non-linguistic aspects of translation, certain components of translation activity and their relationship. It specified features of the translation process, taking into account its linguistic and non-linguistic aspects. Particular attention is paid to the role of background knowledge and the correct understanding of the subject situation in the translation process, the stylistic components of modeling text translation systems are emphasized. The article highlights the interpretation of a number of concepts of modern cognitive semantics. The semantic characteristics of metaphorical and phraseological units are investigated. The article discusses the specificity of translation of certain categories of vocabulary, the compatibility of words in the translation process, the features of translation of stable phrases, methods of reproduction of phraseological units, translation of figurative phraseological units, metaphors. Special attention is paid to the expressive transformation of phraseological units and their reflection in translation. Formal-meaningful transformations with a pragmatic component as a change in the form and content of units in the text, text fragments in order to balance the pragmatic impact of translation on its reader (phraseological, figurative, conceptual, axiological, metatextual) play an essential role in modern translation studies. The concept of the communicative purpose of the text, the transfer of the stylistic coloring of words, expressive concretization while translating into the native language, pragmatic adaptation of the text are investigated. Special attention is paid to words expressing specific concepts and to their translation into the native language; historical and extralinguistic factors in the selection of the means of their translation are also stressed in the article.

scholarly journals TRANSLATION CRITICISM AS A MEASURE OF LINGUISTIC COHERENCE IN THE TRANSLATION PROCESS

10.23856/3510 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 86-90
Author(s):  
Maria Zavarynska ◽  
Monika Toborek
Keyword(s):  
Translation Studies ◽  
Source Text ◽  
Translation Process ◽  
Important Measure

 The article is focused on the role of translation criticism in the modern translation studies. Every translator in his work aims for achieving linguistic coherence between the Source Text (ST) and Target Text (TT). The notion of translation criticism, which is an important measure of achieving this goal by the translator, is highlighted. The theory of scenes and frames in modern translation studies is also analysed in the article.

scholarly journals The role of archival and manuscript research in the investigation of translator decision-making

Target ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 125-139 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeremy Munday
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Research Methods ◽  
Textual Analysis ◽  
Translation Studies ◽  
Translation Product ◽  
Translation Process ◽  
Research Methodologies ◽  
Literary Archive

This paper discusses the application of research methodologies from history and literary studies to the analysis of the translation process. Specifically, this concerns the use of literary archive and manuscript material to investigate the various stages in the construction of the translation product. Such material has been drastically underexploited in translation studies to date. The paper describes the type of material available for researchers and how this has been used. This is followed by a case study involving the detailed textual analysis of a translator’s drafts and revisions. The paper considers the value of such research methods in investigating the translation process and how they might complement and interact with other methodologies.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document