In-Depth Notes on Translation Theory and Practice

Akşit Göktürk's Other Books

  • Books Published by YKY:
    • Ada (1997)
    • Okuma Uğraşı (1997)
    • Sözün Ötesi (1998)

Translation and Language

  • The Role of the Translator:

    • The translator's main duty is to translate texts rather than individual words or sentences.
    • No underestimation of the importance of words and sentences; they can assume the function of the entire text.
    • Successful translation requires understanding the communicative characteristics of the source text.

  • Understanding Both Languages:

    • A translator must know the workings of both the source and target languages well.
    • They should be able to analyze grammatical elements.
    • It's essential to consider the networks of relationships that exist beyond the visible boundaries of the text.

Communicational Characteristics

  • Every text has communicational characteristics determined by its context:
    • Characteristics can vary based on the sender, receiver, and the nature of the message.
    • An individual linguistic sign may serve different functions depending on context (e.g., exclamatory or imperative).

Historical Perspectives on Translation

  • Hieronymus:

    • The first translator to analyze the issue of translation from the perspective of text type.
    • He discussed two translation strategies:
    1. verbum e verbo: word-for-word translation.
    2. sensum exprimere: the translation of meaning.
    • Hieronymus provided principles that influenced future translation theories.

  • Cicero's Influence:

    • Cicero favored sensum exprimere, advocating for meaningful translations in literary works, while Hieronymus proposed a strict word translation for sacred texts.

Methodological Frameworks

  • Schleiermacher's Contributions:
    • Proposed a distinction between different translation methods based on the type of text (artistic vs scientific).
    • Suggested two translation approaches:
    • Bringing the reader to the author (more suitable for artistic texts).
    • Bringing the author to the reader (appropriate for more straightforward, factual communications).

Post-World War II Developments

  • Shift in Translation Focus:
    • After WWII, translation began to encompass various fields beyond literature and sacred texts.
    • The emergence of communication theory and structural linguistics reshaped the understanding of translation, emphasizing the dynamics between text type and translation approach.

Recipient of the Text

  • The intended audience significantly influences translation:
    • Understanding the relationship between the sender (author) and the receiver (reader) is crucial.
    • The author's biases towards the reader can impact how information is conveyed, necessitating different considerations when translating.

Message of the Text

  • The topic and its representation matter in translation:
    • Identifying the main theme, underlying structure, and significance is critical for conveying the author's intent.

Function of the Text

  • Knowing the author's purpose is vital:
    • Whether the author's goal is describing, interpreting, or teaching affects how the text should be translated.
    • Identifying dominant and secondary functions in the text aids in accurate translation.