translation method v-diagram

word-for-word translation

This method means translating each word from the SL into the TL one by one, in the same order. It focuses on the exact words, not the meaning of the whole sentence. The result is often hard to understand or sounds strange in the TL. Word-for-word translation is usually used at the first step in the translation process, not for real translation. It helps translators understand the meaning of the SL better before making a good translation.

EX: “he is a big liar” => “Anh ấy là một lớn người nói dối”

Literal translation

The SL grammatical constructions are converted to their nearest TL equivalents, but the lexical words are translated singly, out of context. As a pre-translation process, this indicates the problems to be solved.

EX: “He is a big liar” => “Anh ấy là một người nói dối lớn”

Faithful translation

This method tries to keep the exact meaning of the SL, even if the sentence does not sound natural in the TL. The translator keeps the grammar and words close to the SL, even when it is not normal in the TL. Cultural words are also kept, even if they sound strange. This method follows the rules of SL, not the target one. Faithful translation can be used in the early stage to keep meaning clear before making the final version.

EX: "He is as fast as a kangaroo." => "Anh ấy nhanh như một con kangaroo."

semantic translation

Semantic translation is different from faithful translation. It focuses on making the translation sound natural and smooth in the TL. While faithful translation follows the original very strictly, semantic translation allows more freedom to change the sentence so it sounds better. This method is more flexible and creative. It lets the translator change the words and grammar if needed, as long as the meaning stays the same. For example, cultural words can be replaced with more general or neutral words to help the reader understand. In contrast, faithful translation keeps the original cultural words, even if they sound strange.

EX: “May what come, you will always be in my mind” => “Cho dù điều gì xảy ra thì em vẫn mãi ở trong trái tim anh”

Adaptation

This is the “freest” form of translation. It is mainly used for plays and poetry; the themes, characters, and plots are usually preserved, the SL culture converted to the TL culture, and the text rewritten.

EX: “The very substance of the ambitious is merely the shadow of a dream” => “Tham vọng suy cho cùng cũng chỉ là ảo mộng.”

Free translation

Free translation reproduces the matter without the manner, the content without the form of the original. Usually, it is a paraphrase much longer than the original, a so-called “intra-lingual translation”, not translation at all.

EX: “That guy is as poor as a church mouse” => “Anh ta nghèo rớt mồng tơi”

idiomatic translation

Idiomatic translation reproduces the “message” of the original but tends to distort nuances of meaning by preferring colloquialisms and idioms that do not exist in the original.

EX: "He leads a peasant’s hard life”=> “ Anh ấy sống cuộc sống chân lấm tay bùn”

communicative translation

Communicative attempts to render the exact contextual meaning of the original in such a way that both content and language are readily acceptable and comprehensible to the readership

EX: “Fly with kite, not with ice” => “Nói không với ma túy”