EVOLUTION OF TRANSLATION

Evolution of Translation
Introduction
This lecture introduces the theoretical concerns
underlying this practice and the strategies that
the early translators used in the process.

Evolution of Translation
How to translate?
Translation is not a mechanical process where
you replace one word with another. The first
problem facing at the time of translation is-how to translate, literally or figuratively?

Evolution of Translation
Translation in the Ancient West
Most of the educated Romans knew Greek. Hence
translation from Greek into Latin was not for those
who did not know the SL, but for those who would
appreciate the beauty of the process of
transformation into Latin. The stress was on
enriching Latin rather than fidelity to the original
Greek.

Evolution of Translation
The Translator's Focus
The responsibility of the translator was to the
target language(TL) reader and so there was
no need to translate word for word. It was
enough if they were able to reproduce the
spirit of the original SL work.

Evolution of Translation
Translation of the Bible- Part 1
Belief in the translator's freedom disappears
when it comes to bible translations.
Translation also means interpretation, which
could become blasphemy in the case of the
translation of the scriptures.

Evolution of Translation
Translation of the Bible- Part 2
The effort in such translation was to translate
word for word so that the meaning did not get
distorted. It is with this that the concept of
fidelity or absolute rendering of the original
came into the practice of translation.

Evolution of Translation
Translation of the Bible- Part 3
St. Jerome, one of the first translators of the Bible,
stated that he had not done a word for word
translation. Other such translators did not fare so
well. Martin Luther insisted on conveying the
message of the Bible accurately; he was more
concerned, however, about the TL reader and felt
the translation should cater to the reader.

Evolution of Translation
Printing: A turning Point
The invention of printing expanded the readership of
literary and non-literary works; more caution was
exercised as to what people could read. The
freedom of translators also was curtailed a bit.
There was, for the first time, an attempt to theorize
the process of translation.

Evolution of Translation
Etienne Dolet's Five Principles (1-3)

The translator should understand and capture the

sense of the SL text.
The translator should be competent in both the SL
and TL.
The translator should not be literal in translation.

Evolution of Translation
Etienne Dolet's Five Principles (4-5)

The translator should use common idiomatic

language.
The translator should be able to reproduce the
correct tone of the original, by a careful use of
words, in the TL text.

Evolution of Translation
Application of Dolet's Principles
Dolet emphasizes that the translator should be
able to capture the tone of the original text as
well as be sensitive to the cultural differences.
His views are supported by George Chapman,
who states that literal translation should be
avoided but cautions against excessive
translation freedom.

Evolution of Translation
Similar Blas in other Translators
Sir Thomas Wyatt and Henry Howard Earl of Surrey
are both famous for having brought the sonnet
form to England from Italian, especially Petrarch.
But their translations are so 'free' that they have
been viewed more as 'adaptations', which do not
involve literal translation.

Evolution of Translation
17th Century and its Emphasis
The 17th century emphasis on
order and reason is reflected in
translation also. The task of the
translator was to extract the
essence of the SL text and
reproduce it with maximum effect
in the TL. The translator could
take a few liberties in the
process.

Evolution of Translation
17th Century's Main Figure and his Methods
John Dryden, an influential critic, outlined three basic
methods of translation:

Metaphrase: Word for word translation

Paraphrase: Sense for sense (figurative)

Imitation: The SL text is set aside and recreated in

the TL (adaptation).

Evolution of Translation
15th - 16th Centuries
The translators could undertake
translations without even knowing
the SL and could treat the SL text
a bit flippantly. By the 18th century
the translator was expected to be
an expert in the SL and its
culture. Translation was seen as
derivative and secondary.

Evolution of Translation
Johan Wolfgang von Goethe's Methods:

The first 'acquaints us with foreign countries on our

own terms'
The second is when the translator captures the
essence of the original but reproduces it in his/her
own terms.
The third one makes the SL and TL texts almost
similar.

Evolution of Translation
Translation as a Secondary Activity in the Romantic
Age

The translator is seen as somewhat less than the

writer.
Translation was seen as a secondary and
derivative activity that did not require the creative
originality of writing.
Others perceived it as a means of communication.

Evolution of Translation
Changing Perceptions
Over the years the perceptions of translation
and translator have been changing. The
major concerns have been and still are,
about the autonomy of the text and
translator.

Evolution of Translation
Susan Bassnett's Translation Classification

Translation as scholarly activity where the SL is

acknowledged to be superior.
Translation as mediating influence that helps the
reader get acquainted with the SL in the original.
Translation, though its foreignness.
Translation that reveals the translator's personal
choice.