TRANSLATION

AND
ITS BASIC
CLASSIFICATION

TRANSLATION
Q. What is Translation?
A: Translation is the communication of the
meaning of a source language text by
means of an equivalent target-language
text.
The word translation derives from the Latin
translatio (which itself comes from transand fero, together meaning "to carry
across" or "to bring across").

Word-for-Word Translation
The Sample Language word order is
preserved and the words translated by
. their most common meanings
. Cultural words are translated literally
The main use of this type of translation is
either to understand the mechanics of
the source language or to construe a
. difficult text as pre-translation process

Literal Translation
Literal translation, also known in everyday usage
as direct translation, denotes the rendering of
text from one language to another word for
word with or without conveying the sense of the
original. However, in translation studies, literal
translation denotes technical translation of
scientific, technical, technological or legal texts.
Literal translations are sometimes prepared for
a writer who is translating a work written in a
language he does not know. For example Richard
Pevear worked from literal translations provided
by his wife, Larissa Volokhonsky, in their
translations of several Russian novels.

Literal Translation
Literal translation can also denote a
translation that represents the precise
meaning of the original text but does not
attempt to convey its style, beauty, or
poetry. There is, however, a great deal of
difference between a literal translation of a
poetic work and a prose translation. A literal
translation of poetry may be in prose rather
than verse, but also be error free.
Eg: Khelne mein maza aayega- In playing, Fun
will come.

Faithful Translation
Faithful Translation(Literary translation)
attempts to reproduce the precise contextual
meaning of the original within the constraints
of the Target Languages grammatical
structures. It transfers cultural words and
preserves the degree of grammatical and
lexical deviation from Sample Languages
norms. It attempts to be completely faithful
to the intentions and the text-realization of
the Sample Language writer.
It is usually used in translation of literary
works(books, plays, stories etc.).
Eg: Khelne mein maza aayega- Playing will be
fun.

Semantic Translation
Semantic translation [ST] is personal and
individual, follows the thought processes of
the author, tends to over translate, pursues
nuances of meaning, yet aims at concision in
order to reproduce pragmatic impact.
Semantic translation is the process of using
semantic information to aid in the
translation of data in one representation or
data model to another representation or
data model. Semantic translation takes
advantage of semantics that associate
meaning with individual data elements in
one dictionary to create an equivalent
meaning in a second system. The emphasis
is on the author.

Communicative Translation
Communicative translation [CT] is social,
concentrates on the message and the main
force of the text, tends to under translate, to
be simple, clear and brief, and always written
in natural and resourceful style. A Sample
Text is normally inferior to its original, as
there is both cognitive and pragmatic loss.
The emphasis is on the translator.
CT 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.

Idiomatic Translation
Idiomatic translation that conveys the
meaning of the original, or source text, by
using equivalent language and the forms and
structures of the target language, in order to
produce a translation that reads that has the
meaning by preferring colloquialisms and
idiom.
It reproduces the message of the original but
tends to distort nuances of meaning by
preferring colloquialisms and idioms.

E.g. Idiomatic English: His ear is rotten

Literary English: He is spoiled.

Adaptive Translation
This is the freest form of translation mainly
used for plays and poetry: themes/
characters/ plots preserved, Sample
Language culture converted to Target
Language culture & text is rewritten.

Free Translation
A free translation is a translation that
reproduces the general meaning of the
original text. it may or may not closely
follow the form or organization of the
original. Usually it is a paraphrase much
longer than the original.
It reproduces the matter without the
manner, or the content without the form of
the original.