Back to: Introduction to the Multi-theme Translation Course

UNIT 1

Methodology: A Global Comparative Approach (Spanish-English) – Word-Level Considerations

When translating from Spanish into English, we need to focus on three key areas:

1. Individual Terms (Words): We examine each word on its own, considering its meaning in the specific context.
2. Complete Sentences: We treat sentences as units of meaning, paying attention to word order and sentence structure.
3. Paragraphs: We analyze how sentences connect within a paragraph to ensure a smooth flow of ideas in the English translation.

While it’s important to consider the overall context, we’ll start by focusing on individual words, as they can present various challenges for translators.

False Friends:

False friends are words that look or sound similar in Spanish and English but have different meanings. These can easily mislead translators, especially those relying on a word-for-word approach.

• Example: “Actualmente” in Spanish does not mean “actually” in English. “Actualmente” means “currently” or “at present.” “Actually” means “in reality” or “in fact.”
• Another Example: “Asistir” in Spanish does not usually mean “to assist” in English. “Asistir” often means “to attend” (an event). “To assist” means “to help.”

Some other common false friends include:

• “Realizar” (to carry out/perform, not to realize)
• “Compromiso” (commitment, not compromise)
• “Eventualmente” (eventually, not potentially)
• “Fábrica” (factory, not fabric)

Loanwords (Anglicisms):

Loanwords are words borrowed from English and incorporated into Spanish. While they might seem easy to translate back into English, they can be tricky because their meanings or connotations might have shifted in Spanish.

• Example: “El parking” in Spanish refers to a parking lot or garage. While “parking” exists as a word in English, it’s usually a verb or an adjective, not a noun referring to a place.
• Another Example: “Footing” in Spanish refers to jogging. While “footing” exists in English, it usually refers to a secure position or placing one’s feet on the ground.

Cultural Terms:

Cultural terms refer to concepts or practices specific to a particular culture. Translating them requires careful consideration of the target audience’s familiarity with the concept.

• Example: “Las tapas” in Spanish refers to small snacks served with drinks. While there’s no direct equivalent in English, we might translate it as “appetizers,” “snacks,” or “small plates,” depending on the context.
• Another Example: “La siesta” in Spanish refers to an afternoon nap, a common practice in Spanish-speaking cultures. While English speakers understand the concept of a nap, “siesta” might convey a more culturally specific meaning.

Polysemy:

Polysemy refers to words with multiple meanings. Translators need to carefully consider the context to choose the correct equivalent in English.

• Example: “Banco” in Spanish can mean “bank” (financial institution) or “bench” (seat).
• Another Example: “Cola” in Spanish can mean “tail” (animal’s appendage), “queue” (line of people), or “glue.”

Neologisms:

Neologisms are newly coined words or expressions. Translating them can be challenging, as there might not be an established equivalent in English.

• Example: “Teletrabajo” in Spanish refers to remote work or telecommuting. While English has terms like “telework” and “telecommuting,” they might not be as widely used or understood as “remote work.”

Exercise 1.1

Translation 1

Translation 2

Translation Techniques: Loanwords, Calques, Naturalization, Equivalents, etc.

Types of Translation Equivalents

When translating from one language to another, finding the correct equivalent for a word or phrase is crucial. Here are some common types of equivalents used in translation:

Loanwords:

Sometimes, the Spanish word is used directly in English. This often happens with newer concepts or cultural items that haven’t been fully assimilated into English yet.

• Examples: apartheid, hardware, software, backgammon, badminton, rock and roll, mailing, email, superman, etc. (Note: While these are shown in italics to indicate their foreign origin, they are generally accepted and understood in English.)

Calques:

This involves translating the individual elements of a phrase literally. Calques can sometimes sound awkward in English, so they need to be used carefully.

• Examples:
  • United States of America → Estados Unidos de América (This one works well as it’s a formal name)
  • Greenhouse effect → Efecto invernadero (Again, a standard and accepted term)
  • Outboard → Fueraborda (This is a bit more literal and might be better translated as “outboard motor” or similar, depending on context)

Naturalization:

When a Spanish word is difficult to pronounce or doesn’t fit well in English, it might be adapted to sound more natural.

• Examples:
  • Disneylandia (Disneyland) (While “Disneylandia” might be understood, “Disneyland” is the standard and preferred form in English)
  • fútbol (football/soccer) (Here, naturalization has led to two different terms in English, depending on region)
  • chequeo (check-up) (This is a good example of naturalization leading to a more common English phrase)
  • boyescaut (boy scout) (While “boy scout” is widely understood, “Boy Scout” is the official term)
  • brandy (brandy) (No change needed, both are the same)
  • ciclocrós (cyclo-cross) (Again, no change needed)

Equivalents:

The concept of “equivalents” arises from the need to find words, expressions, or cultural concepts in English that are similar to those in Spanish, so the reader can understand the meaning. If we tell an English reader that the Queen of England was educated in a “finishing school,” or that we have been to Albert Hall, or that we live in Notting Hill, they may not fully grasp what we are saying. We need to talk about an equivalent in their own culture (if there is one!) And if there is not, we will have to explain what it is, what its function is.

Cultural Equivalents:

This involves finding a similar term in the target culture (English).

• Examples:
  • Albert Hall → A major concert hall in London (Instead of trying to find a direct equivalent, it’s often better to provide context)
  • Wembley → A large stadium in London, often used for sports and concerts (Again, context is key)
  • The Guardian → A well-respected, left-leaning British newspaper (Adding context helps the reader understand the type of publication)

Functional Equivalents:

When there is no direct cultural equivalent, we explain the function of the word or concept.

• Examples:
  • Finishing School → A private school for young women, typically focusing on social graces and etiquette (This provides a clear explanation for an unfamiliar concept)
  • Notting Hill → A diverse and trendy neighborhood in West London, known for its annual carnival and mix of residents (This explanation gives the reader a sense of the area’s character)

Exercise 1.2

Translation Principles: The Author’s Intention

The art of translation involves more than just substituting words. It’s about understanding the author’s intent and conveying it effectively in the target language. To do this, we need to consider three key elements:

1. The Author: Who wrote the text, and what message are they trying to convey?
2. The Text: What is the style and tone of the text? Is it formal or informal, technical or literary?
3. The Reader: Who is the intended audience of the translation? What is their cultural background and level of understanding?

Understanding the Author’s Intention

Every author has a reason for writing. They may want to inform, persuade, entertain, or express their emotions. As a translator, your job is to understand the author’s intention and find a way to express it accurately and effectively in English.

Example

Let’s look at a sentence in Spanish and consider how different translations can convey different intentions:

Original: “La lluvia caía sin cesar, golpeando el tejado con furia.”

Possible Translations:

• Literal: “The rain was falling without ceasing, hitting the roof with fury.” (Accurate but lacks the original’s intensity)
• Figurative: “The rain poured down relentlessly, pounding on the roof like an angry drum.” (Captures the intensity and adds a poetic touch)
• Simple: “It was raining hard.” (Conveys the basic meaning but loses the nuances)

The best translation depends on the author’s intention and the overall tone of the text. If the author wants to create a dramatic atmosphere, the figurative translation might be more suitable. If the focus is on conveying information quickly, the simple translation might be enough.

Key Takeaway

As a translator, you’re not just a language converter. You’re a bridge between the author and the reader, ensuring that the message and the intended effect remain intact across languages.

Exercises

Note: All exercises are also in Google Classroom

Exercise 1.3

Exercises 1.4

Exercises 1.5

Translation 3

Translation 4