TRANSLATION AND INTERPRETATION NOTES FOR ADVANCED LEVEL FORM 5 & 6

TRANSLATION AND INTERPRETATION

THE MEANING OF THE CONCEPT OF TRANSLATION

 

Translation

Translation is the process of changing the written text from one language into an equivalent written text of another language.

 For example: The sentence: Hii ni nyumba yangu  in Kiswahili, in we write its English equivalent, it will be: This is my house. Here we have translated the text from Kiswahili to English language.

 

Or

 Translation is a process by which ideas that are written in one language are represented by words of a different language.

Or

 Translation is the process whereby the meaning of expression in one language is turned in to the meaning of another language in written form.

The language from which the information is taken or the language in which the text to be translated originates is known as source language (SL)

The language to which the text is translated or meaning is turned is known as target language     (T L)

Example

Source language             - I wish you all the best (English)
Target language             - nakutakia  kila la heri  (Swahili)

 

Source text is the text that a translator is given to translate from one language to the another language. Or is the text to be translated.

Target text is the translated text or is the translation of the source text.

                                                                                             

The basic purpose of translation is to produce various types of texts in other languages so as to make them available to a wider much audience. The text can be political, scientific, religious or literary.

A)   Principles of translation

The translation process is a very challenging, but in order for one to be able to do a successful translation of text, there are principles that a translator has to adhere to. The  following are some principles to be adhered by the translator:-

1.     The translator has to be very competent in both the source language and the target language. For example if the source language is Kiswahili and the target language is English, the translator should be competent in both English and Kiswahili. Competence just in one language cannot enable a person to become a good translator;

 

2.    The translator has to understand the field covered by the source text.  Here the person has to be conversant with the technical field related to the text that has to be translated. For example, even if someone is competent in English and Kiswahili but not conversant in Biology it will be difficult for him or her to translate Biology text, since he or she may be unfamiliar with its register.

 

For example A Kiswahili translator who is not competent in Geography may translate in English the phrase “ Kupatwa kwa jua kulitokea jana” as “ The sun was obtained yesterday” in the field of Geography the translation is not correct and it was required to be “The eclipse of the moon took place yesterday”

 

3.    The translator has to consider the style used by the person who wrote the text of the source language. Or the translator has to preserve or violate the style used in the source language by so doing, he or she to balance between the side of the author and that of the readers of the work being translated.

 

4.   A translator should translate the message (meaning) instead of the words where the words of the source language have no equivalence in target language.

 

Some content items in both the source language and the target language are not easily to translate due to the facts that it is not always the case that there is one to one correspondence in two languages involved, hence the translation needs a lot of hard work and patience.

 

For example one word in one language may be expressed in a sentence in another language or some words in one language are missing in another language.
               Nakupenda= I love you

 

5.    The translator has to put aside his or her personal feeling about the topic to be translated. This implies that if the translator puts his or her opinions about what is translated, there is likely- hood that the translated words will be different from that of the source language hence the translator needs to be objective avoiding the influence of ideology or attitude and his personal feelings.

 

6.    The translator has to consider the expectations of the readers i.e. He or she needs to put himself or herself on the shoes of the readers; he or she has to use the language style that will make the readers of the translated words understand.  This consideration may make the style of the text in TL to be different from that in SL.  
For example; a science text being translated by ordinary people will make the text assume a style that is not scientific.

 

So here the translator has to be in the minds of the audience he or she is translating for.

 

Methods of translation

There are a number of translation methods, the following are some of these methods

a)  Word to word translation

This is translation method in which the target language words are immediately below source language words. The source language word order is not changed.

           This method is mainly used by people (especially linguists) who want to show how SL is morphologically structured.

E.g. M- toto m-zuri  a-li-kula nyama yote. SL

      The child good ate  the meat all.       TL          (Child good ate the meat all)

Or

Word to word translation is the method of translation in which the words are translated in isolation on the basis of their basic meaning without considering the context of use.

 

b) Semantics translation

 

This is a translation method in which the translator is said to be biased to the source language in that he or she translates every word in source language but using the syntactic, grammatical and semantic features of target language.

The emphasis in this type of translation is on the meaning of the text in source language.

 

Examples

1. He went up to his home.

    Alikwenda mpaka nyumbani kwake.

 

2. Yours sincerely.

    Wako mtiiifu.

 

3. Mabibi na  mabwana.

    Ladies and gentleman.

 

4. Naomba nichukue  fursa hiii

    May I take this opportunity to

5. Usiku mwema

    Good night

 

  c)  Communicative/idiomatic/contextual/oblique/indirect  translation

This is the kind of translation that pays attention to the contextual meaning of the original text, that is, the translator is focusing the meaning of what is written and the context.
This is a common method in translating the figurative expressions such as idioms, sayings and proverbs

For example;
Do not cry on split milk.

Maji yakimwagika hayazoleki.

A friend in need is a friend indeed.

Akufaaye kwa dhiki ndiye rafiki.

 

d)  Literal/direct/form based translation

This is the translation in which words are translated in isolation without considering the context of use rather it follows the structure of the target language. This kind of translation sounds like none sense and with little communicative value sometimes.

 

Example

-Juma hula rushwa ----- (Juma eats corruption) which is not correct in English language and the correct is Juma takes corruption.

-Mama yangu mkubwa amefariki Dunia---- My big mother has passed away. Which is not correct in English language and the correct is My aunt has passed away.

 

e) Literary translation 

This is the kind of translation which is used in translating literary works such as plays, novels, poetry and short stories. In this kind of translation creative works are created, therefore the translator must create a new work of art in the target language from the text in the source language.

Usually, this kind of translation is a paraphrase which is much longer than the original text.

It produces the general meaning of the original text.

 

f) Free translation

This is the kind of translation which produces matter without manner or content without the form of the original text (source text).

Or

Is the kind of translation which produces the general meaning of the original text, it may or may not closely follow the form or organization of the original.

Or

Is the kind translation which deliveries the intended meaning of the source text without paying attention to the details such as the syntax and style of the original text or source text.

 

g) Machine translation.

This is the kind of translation where a computer programme analyses a source language text and in principles, it produces a target language text without the human being translation or without the human being involvement. In this kind of translation the human being may only be involved in the pre and post editing.

 

h) Back translation

This is the translation of the translated text back into the language of the original text, done or made without reference to the original text.

i) Technical translation

Technical is the translation of materials dealing with scientific and technical subjects and using the specialized terminology of the scientific or technical field involved.

Or

Technical translation is translation that requires the use of a technical translator, one with a good understanding of the subject matter and knowledge of the specialized terms of that field both in the source and in the target languages.

The types of material that might qualify as needing technical translation are varied. At one extreme are articles from scientific, medical, engineering, and technical journals. These generally require people with graduate training in the field involved as well as good translation skills.

Technical translations include the use of technical and scientific terminology. Terms used by the translator must show an accurate and clear definition of real phenomena and objects, so as establish the clear understanding of the work written by a specialist. Conditions should be context-independent and have a single, precise (unambiguous) meaning.

Technical translations include documents related to technical and scientific subjects. This is a specialized translation with a specific terminology used in the technical or scientific field.

 A technical translator is an expert, who has years of experience and knowledge of the topic and a thorough knowledge of the specific conditions in the field in the input and output languages. But it really requires a practical knowledge of the terminology used in a certain field. On the other hand, technical translations could be required for more complex writing, such as technical, medical and scientific journals that require translators with a high level of translation and linguistic skills.

Things that are difficult to translate
In the process of translation there are some things that the translator faces difficult in their translation
These are as follow

A).  Proper nouns
       I.e. the names referring to particular persons or places

     E.g.   

1.     My father lives in Mbeya

             Baba yangu anaishi Mbeya

       In translation, usually the proper nouns are not translated rather they are left as they are.

            

2.     Jumbe is my friend.
 Jumbe ni rafiki yangu.

B). Idioms (idiomatic expressions)

Idiom is a set or a group of words whose meaning is contrary from the individual words used.
There are the expressions whose meanings are quite different from the words constituting them. 

 

C) Abbreviations

Usually, these are not translated but their meanings are taken consideration. Example CHADEMA, CCM.

 

D) Proverbs  

E) Names of companies

     
     THE ACTUAL TRANSLATION PROCESS

Basic things to be considered in translation course;

When it comes to the real translation time, it is important to take note of the  following requirements:-

 

A.   Read the text to be translated to get the general idea that it contains, it makes you know what tools you will need according to the subject matter, such as need for the legal dictionary if the translation is based on the legal document. Also, reading the text help to get the general picture of its message.

 

B.    Look for dictionaries both technical and general purpose ones. The dictionaries should be of bilingual and monolingual types.

 

C.    Translate the first draft i.e. we do not translate straight away but rather stage by stage. This given us a chance to make any necessary corrections.

 

D.   Vise the translation by making improvement to the first draft this gives you the second draft. Here you are required to go through the translation to edit it and affect any corrections or improvements that may be needed.

 

E.    Write the final draft after you has made all the necessary revision then you can submit the final to the client.

Qualities of good translation

The following are said to be the qualities of a well done translation

1. A good transaction should be capable of being translated back i.e. the work translated into language y from language x by one person should be able to be translated by another translator from language by back to language yielding the meaning.
2. Performance testing : this is done by asking speakers of language y to carry out action based on the translation of the translated text to speakers of x to perform activities on the original text. If the results are the same, then the translation will be referred to have been done well.

      

 NB: - Thus technique is very time consuming

3. Knowledge testing; this is done by asking questions usually using questionnaire to speakers of language y, the questions asked are about the content of text, some questions are asked to speakers of language x of responses given are the same, translation is considered to have been done well.

Interpretation

 

Interpretation is the process that involves the transfer of messages from one language into another in form of speech.

Or

Interpretation is the process which involves one person speaking in one language and another person speaking the same message or meaning into another language; it involves oral presentation of what one person says in one language into another.

Interpretation is something that is used in different contexts and situations in our daily lives. it is used in religious preaching, when researchers talk to the indigenous people, when tourists come to our country and in international conferences among people of different parts with different language.

 

Principles of interpretation

A successful interpretation depends on the adherence to the principles of the interpretation. These include the following: -

1.     The interpreter should listen very carefully to what the speaker of the source language is saying.

2.    The interpreter is supposed to be very quick in interpretation.

3.    The interpreter should use gestures, as well as the rising and falling of voice (intonation) in the way the speaker of the source language is doing.

4.     The interpreter needs to have the general knowledge of the subject matter i.e. a good interpreter will be a person who is knowledge in the subject matter been talked about.

5.    If you fail to get a particular word that has been said, it is better to ask the speaker to repeat that part rather than guessing the word.

6.     The interpreter needs to be very hardworking reading a lot of literature to enrich himself or herself with information from various fields.

7.    The interpreter should have enough knowledge on various issues, this will give him or her flexibility to translate or interpret any text brought to him or her.

8.    It is not necessary to interpret the message word for word. Sometimes you may express the message in your own words if you think the intended message will be understood to the audience. This may be used especially when interpreting concepts or things which are present ion one social setting but not in the other.

 

Methods/types of interpretation

1)  Simultaneous interpretation

This is the interpretation whereby an interpreter is required to listen and speak at the same time someone is speaking.

This kind of interpretation needs high concentration and it is commonly used in International conferences and in the courts and it needs specialized items.

 

2)  Consecutive interpretation

This is the kind of translation which starts or begins only after the speaker in the source language has verbalized a group of words or sentences.

In this kind of translation, usually an interpreter takes notes while listening to the speaker in the source language. So he/she develops some type of note taking or short hand system.

 

3)  Whispering or chuchotage interpretation

This is the kind of interpretation which is usually used when one or two people do not understand the source language.

This kind of interpretation is useful for one-to-one or small meeting, walking visits, tour or during social event and dinners.

 

4)  Liaison or community or bilateral interpretation

This is the kind of interpretation which is used in informal situations, small business meetings and it is also sometimes suitable for court interpreting.

It involves interpreting on a more one-to-one basis whereby the interpreter will interpret and “liaise” between two languages to two or more people.

This kind of interpretation is used in community, at the request of doctors, lawyers, hospitals, social services and schools services.

 

Things to be noted during interpretation

In the course of interpretation, the following are the things to be noted.

1.  Use gesture like those used the speaker in SL.

2.    Use the style that you think your audience will understand e.g. you maybe casual is your audience seems to like.

3.    When the speaker stresses a point, do the same so that you do not seem to be speaking something different from what the speaker is saying.

4.    Observe the audience keenly so that you can elaborate when they do not understand. This is very important because the audience communicate
    through you.

5.     If you think you have not understood, tell the speaker in source language to repeat or clarify so that you know what exactly you ought to tell the audience.
      i.e. Do not interpret until you are sure of what to say, this is done to avoid misleading the listeners.

 

 

 

Prepared by:

Emily A Mwambola

Tel: 0757290816

Email: emilyam016@!gmail.com