Translation And Interpreting Methods And Approaches
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Translation and Interpreting: Methods and Approaches
Summary
Translation and interpreting are crucial for enabling communication between speakers of different languages. Historically, interpreting was considered a subset of translation. However, since the mid-20th century, it has been recognized as a distinct discipline. Translation and interpreting involve transferring meaning, not just word-for-word equivalence, between languages.Article
Understanding Translation and Interpreting
Translation and interpreting enable communication across language barriers. While traditionally viewed as closely linked, a distinction between the two has become vital since the latter half of the 20th century. Both processes focus on conveying meaning rather than merely translating linguistic elements word for word.Linguistic Meaning vs. Sense
Understanding the difference between linguistic meaning and sense is crucial. Bolinger and Sears define a word as the smallest language unit used independently. Each word carries lexical meaning, identifying its role within a specific language. However, meaning often extends beyond individual words to include larger or smaller units.Phonemes add another layer of complexity. For example, the English phoneme /nait/ can translate to either "knight" or "notte" (night) in Italian, depending on context. Seleskovitch emphasizes that words can lose potential meanings in speech, retaining only contextually relevant meanings.
Context and Cognitive Addition
Even whole sentences can be problematic when isolated from context. During communication, listeners use prior knowledge to interpret language sounds, clarifying the sense of an utterance. This cognitive addition is essential and distinct from semantic content.This process is more constrained in translation, especially with ancient or unfamiliar texts. Translators can analyze each word, whereas interpreters must grasp meaning instantly without relying solely on word-level equivalence.
The Role of Memory
Memory plays a fundamental role in how listeners use prior knowledge to grasp meanings. Seleskovitch asserts that sense is always a conscious choice. Different speakers may express the same idea in varied ways, reflecting semantic differences among languages.Consequently, a straightforward language conversion rarely suffices in translation or interpreting. Words gain meaning only when linked to specific concepts or objects, differing with language context. Thus, cognitive addition is necessary.
Beyond Word-for-Word Translation
Consider the Italian phrase: "Il presidente del Consiglio si è recato a Mosca." A literal translation, "The President of the Council went to Moscow," might miss crucial context, as "Presidente del Consiglio" refers to the Italian Prime Minister.Similarly, translating "Fammi avere tue notizie ogni giorno" as "Let me have your news every day" doesn't sound natural in English. A native speaker might say, "I'd like to hear from you every day."
In other cases, Italian expressions like "I giovani d'oggi non fanno più notizia" translate awkwardly to "The youth of today do not make the news anymore." A more accurate expression would be, "The youth of today does not shock us anymore."
Conclusion
Translation and interpreting are more than just transferring words from one language to another. They involve understanding context, using prior knowledge, and conveying the overall sense of an utterance. This complexity ensures effective and natural communication across languages.You can find the original non-AI version of this article here: Translation And Interpreting Methods And Approaches.
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