Tran 208 - Unit 3 TL Elements - Note 1
Tran 208 - Unit 3 TL Elements - Note 1
Tran 208 - Unit 3 TL Elements - Note 1
1. Content: the real material. the information, the ideas, the subjects: every text has it. If you
misunderstand it, there will be problems.
2. Accuracy: The correct use of language. the spelling, the punctuation and the grammar of the
text. Has the highest percentage when marking translations.
3. Organization: How paragraphs and sentences are ordered and linked.
4. Style: which way of writing and speaking is used in which context.
Preserve all possible intentions: (Keep the allegory and metaphors if possible). We need to make sure
we also transfer this intention in one way, or at least to keep it as closely presented as possible.
Beware of Misunderstanding one part of the content as it can cause problems by producing errors.
TEXT ORGANIZATION: If it’s some random unorganized words and sentences tossed up to form a
paragraph, we call it a non-text. If the text is made of logically ordered and linked words and sentences,
we call it a text.
We must read any text before we translate it in order to see if its organized in terms of cohesion and
coherence.
Cohesion: refers to the way we use vocabulary and grammatical structures to make connections
between the ideas within a text using cohesive devices.
There are 4 cohesive devices: Repetition, describing using adjectives, reference words and Linking
words
Coherence: the way that the elements in our sentences and paragraphs hang together to produce
meaning. Does the text make sense in its discourse?
Q: Why should translators read the text in full before they start to translate it?
Because text typology is important. In order for our text to be organized, the Information flow needs to
be smooth and the progression of ideas needs to be less messy and easy to follow. We must start with
new information. The text should be taken as a message, not as a string of grammatical and lexical
elements.
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GENRE: -
Major types of genre: Literary, Tech/sci, Legal, Business, Journalistic, Religious, Others based on
model/medium
- Invention/estrangement effect
- Stylistic complexity
- Information that’s “not very” important
- Novelty value (can be and often imitated)
- Some information to be conveyed
- Little or no specialized vocabulary
- High degree of conventional form an expression
(intertextuality/imitation)
Characteristics of genres:
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General translation: Common everyday texts with simple vocabulary and relative simple sentence
structures.
Specialized translation: Based on each field/genre alone with its major characteristics.
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