Phrases I Noun phrases – part A

A phrase is a string of words forming a syntactic unit Named after the class of the most important word they contain (i.e. the ‘head’) Noun phrase Verb phrase Adjective phrase Adverb phrase Prepositional phrase

Noun phrase structure premodification head noun postmodification My house My beautiful The on the hill (PP) man (that) I love (finite rel clause) lady waiting outside (non-finite rel. Clause) trip Back home (AdvP) Something Unusual (AdjP) Test to identify the words belonging to a NP: replacing it with a pronoun

Identify NPs and their internal structure Thank you for your prompt return of a signed cheque for £43. Unfortunately, although this cheque is signed, it appears to be dated 14 February 2200. No doubt just an oversight on your part. Brompton's Store cannot accept post-dated cheques as payment, and I am therefore returning it to you with the request that you return to us a signed cheque, dated with the date of signature. Alternatively you can pay by cash or on the enclosed bank giro credit slip. A leaflet is enclosed for your information. I look forward to receiving your payment.

Translation problems I Italian>English Order of the pre-modifiers Det. Adjectives with an absolute or intensifying meaning (same, certain, entire) and numbers opinion «fact» Size Other qualities (type) Age Shape Temperature Colour Pattern Origin/nationality Material Purpose/type Head noun Can be expressed by nouns with an adjectival function

Translation problems I Italian>English Det. Adjectives absol./intens. numbers opinion «fact» Head noun a simple 4-star Hotel pleasant landscaped Garden dazzling white sand Magnificent Greek Temples Tranquil rock pools The Impressive modern entrance Hall large heated swimming Pool

Translation problems II Italian does not allow pre-modification to the same extent as English (post-modification is more common) The relation between the components of the pre-modification is often not explicit in English Environment department air pollution report finding scandal The scandal uncovered?/caused? by the findings of the Environment Department’s report on air pollution

Premodification in proper names   The National Trust estate of Hardcastle Crags lies just a short walk from Elmet Farmhouse. There are also a wealth of other attractions within close range. The ancient  village of Heptonstall is not to be missed. Haworth village, home of the Bronte sisters, is less than 7 miles away.

Premodification in proper names Slow Food Presidia The Presidia sustain quality production at risk of extinction, protect unique regions and ecosystems, recover traditional processing methods, safeguard native breeds and local plant varieties.

You may well already recognise this fancy name You may well already recognise this fancy name. Bourne & Hollingsworth have been around for longer than a minute, serving up high-end cocktails to Londoners at their vintage- inspired Fitzrovia bar and Reverend JW Simpson bar.  

Pre-translation text analysis (1) You may well already recognise this (2) fancy name. Bourne & Hollingsworth (3)have been around for longer than a minute, serving up (4) high-end cocktails to Londoners at (5) their vintage- inspired Fitzrovia bar and Reverend JW Simpson bar.   (1) colloquial (2) collocation adj_noun / adjectice position (3) idioms (4) collocation adj nouns /adjective position (5) complex premodification

Pre-translation text analysis (1) You may well already recognise this (2) fancy name. Bourne & Hollingsworth (3)have been around for longer than a minute, serving up (4) high-end cocktails to Londoners at (5) their vintage- inspired Fitzrovia bar and Reverend JW Simpson bar.   (1 e 2) forse il nome, evocativo e sofisticato, non vi è nuovo (3) Non è da ieri che/Da tempo / lo storico locale B&H (4) [servono ai / preparano per i londinaesi] raffinati cocktail (5) nei loro bar di ispirazione vintage/dall’ambientazione vintage/in stile vintage Fitzrovia e Reverend JW Simpson,

Strategies for translating idioms Using an idiom of similar meaning and form Using an idiom of similar meaning, but different form Paraphrase (if there is no equivalent) Omission (if it cannot be easily paraphrased) Compensation