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 communication http://homepage.ntlworld.com/ernst-august.gutt/, E. Gutt,Translation and relevance: Cognition and context. Manchester: St. Jerome Publishing (2nd edition) 2004. See also the paper on the website. Particular strategies and solutions relevant to interlingual communication For instance, TAPs, see Bernardini 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 16700 Students Includes visiting and exchange students (heads) and HEFP students in local colleges. Excludes students taught overseas and on external programmes. 3800 Staff 3000 full and part time, 800 casua, 96% non-academic staff live in Coventry. 3rd largest employer in Coventry area £174.5 m turnover For year ended July 2001, projected to rise to £222 m by 2004/05 Arts Centre 250,000 visits each year, 70% of audience from Coventry/Warwickshire, 67% self-generated income. £580,000 University subsidy to Arts Centre each year (not all grant)

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 Informative Expressive Operative Language function Representing facts Expressing attitude Making an appeal Language dimension Logical Aesthetic Dialogical Text focus Content focused Form focused Appellative focused TT should Transfer content Transfer aesthetic form Elicit desired response Translation method Plain prose, clarification Adopt ST perspective Equivalent 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. We owe your full address to Translation and Interpreting Schools compiled by Brian Harris. For your information and guidance we started our School of Translators and Interpreters back in 1972. Please, find enclosed detailed information of the various programmes that we offer. Most of them can be followed by e-mail, distance learning which operate quite successfully.