Back to: Introduction to the Multi-theme Translation Course
Methodology: Comparative Global Approach (Spanish-English) – Focusing on Word Groups
Information Density:
A key characteristic of Spanish is its tendency to explicitly state all information within a sentence. It prioritizes clarity, ensuring every detail is expressed. English, conversely, often favors conciseness, conveying meaning with fewer words. This difference is a significant challenge when translating from Spanish into English.
If we do simply mirror the Spanish sentence structure when translating into English, the resulting translation can sound unnatural or even incorrect. It’s crucial to “unpack” the information and express the ideas in a way that aligns with English linguistic norms. We need to condense and streamline where appropriate.
Let’s examine some key areas where this difference is apparent:
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Verb + Preposition/Particle Combinations: Spanish may use a single verb where English uses a verb-preposition combination. When translating from Spanish to English, we often need to add the appropriate preposition to capture the nuance.
- Example: Spanish: admirar (to admire)
- English Equivalent: to look up to (respect)
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Adjective + Noun Phrases: Spanish often uses more descriptive phrases or relative clauses where English uses a single adjective, often derived from a verb (participles or gerunds) or even a noun modifying another noun. When translating from Spanish to English, we need to look for these opportunities to condense.
- Example: Spanish: la ventana que está rota (the window that is broken)
- English Translation: the broken window
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Idioms, Expressions, and Proverbs: Both languages have their own unique set of idioms and expressions. When translating, it’s essential to find an equivalent expression in the target language (English) that conveys the same meaning, rather than attempting a literal translation.
- Example: Spanish: estar en un aprieto (to be in a difficult situation)
- English Equivalent: to be in hot water
Unit 2. Exercise 1
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Technical Translation: Teleprocessing: Translation Exercise 1 Unit 2
Translation Principles: The Text – Scales of Formality, Difficulty, and Emotionality
Formality Scale:
- Official Language: Authoritative, communicates rules and orders.
- Formal Language: Polite, clear expression, impersonal style.
- Neutral Language: Less formal than formal, but avoids familiarity.
- Informal Language: Everyday speech, not concerned with formalities.
- Colloquial Language: Casual, familiar speech.
- Slang: Informal, often specific to a group.
- Taboo Language: Offensive or inappropriate language.
Emotionality Scale:
- Intense Language: Abundant intensifiers, extreme adjectives.
- Warm Language: Adjectives and words that convey emotions warmly.
- Objective Language: Describes things objectively, without emotions.
- Cold Language: Attempts to distance emotions.
Difficulty Scale:
- Simple Language: Accessible to anyone with some education.
- Popular Language: Accessible to the general public.
- Cultivated Language: Aimed at a cultured reader.
- Technical Language: Uses specialized vocabulary, but not necessarily inaccessible.
- Expert Language: Only accessible to experts in the field.
Let’s break down these “scales” of language in a simple, easy-to-understand way. Think of them as ways to describe the “flavor” of a text, and how that flavor changes depending on who’s talking and who’s listening.
1. Formality Scale: How “Proper” or Casual is the Language?
Imagine a dial that you can turn from “very proper” to “very casual.” That’s the formality scale.
- Official Language:
- This is like the language you’d find in legal documents, government announcements, or formal decrees.
- It’s very rigid, precise, and leaves no room for ambiguity.
- Think: “By order of the court…”
- Formal Language:
- This is polite and professional, but not as strict as official language.
- You’d use it in business letters, academic papers, or formal speeches.
- Think: “We respectfully request…”
- Neutral Language:
- This is everyday language that’s neither too formal nor too casual.
- It’s clear and straightforward, suitable for general communication.
- Think: “The meeting will be held at 3 PM.”
- Informal Language:
- This is how you’d talk to friends or family.
- It’s relaxed and comfortable, and you don’t worry about perfect grammar.
- Think: “Hey, what’s up?”
- Colloquial Language:
- This is even more casual, with slang and regional expressions.
- Think: “Gonna” instead of “going to”, or local phrases.
- Slang:
- This is very informal and often specific to a particular group of people.
- Think: “That’s lit!”
- Taboo Language:
- This is language that’s considered offensive or inappropriate.
Why it matters for translation:
- You wouldn’t translate a legal document using slang, or a friendly conversation using official language. You have to match the level of formality.
2. Emotionality Scale: How Much Feeling is in the Language?
This scale measures how much emotion is being expressed.
- Intense Language:
- This is full of strong words and exaggerations.
- Think: “The absolutely devastating storm destroyed everything!”
- Warm Language:
- This uses positive, friendly words to create a sense of connection.
- Think: “The sun’s warm rays bathed the happy children.”
- Objective Language:
- This is neutral and factual, with no personal feelings expressed.
- Think: “The temperature was 25 degrees Celsius.”
- Cold Language:
- This is used to distance the speaker from the topic, or to show a lack of empathy.
- Think: “The incident occurred.” (Very clinical)
Why it matters for translation:
- If the original text is full of emotion, the translation needs to capture that too. You can’t turn a passionate speech into a dry report.
3. Difficulty Scale: How Hard is the Language to Understand?
This scale measures how much knowledge or education you need to understand the text.
- Simple Language:
- This is easy to understand for most people.
- Think: children’s books or basic instructions.
- Popular Language:
- This is written for a general audience, like newspapers or magazines.
- Cultivated Language:
- This is for people with a good education and broad knowledge.
- Think: literary essays or sophisticated articles.
- Technical Language:
- This uses specialized terms related to a specific field.
- Think: medical reports or engineering manuals.
- Expert Language:
- This is only understandable to experts in a particular area.
Why it matters for translation:
- You need to translate technical terms accurately, and make sure the level of complexity is appropriate for the target audience. You wouldn’t translate a physics textbook into simple language for children.
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:
- The Author: Who wrote the text, and what message are they trying to convey?
- The Text: What is the style and tone of the text? Is it formal or informal, technical or literary?
- 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.