Arsd college Different Types of Translation

Study Material for the students of B. A. Prog. II Year
SEC- Translation Studies
Dr. Shubha Dwivedi
Assistant Professor
Department of English
ARSD College

Different Types of Translation
Lets have a brief discussion on the different types of translation here-
Word-for-word Translation
This is also presented as interlinear translation, with the TL immediately below the SL words. The SL word-order is preserved and the words translated singly by their most common meanings, out of context. Cultural words are translated literally. The main purpose of word-for-word translation is to understand the mechanics of the source language and to interpret a difficult text as a pre-translation process.
Literal Translation
The SL grammatical constructions are changed into their nearest TL equivalents but the lexicons are again translated singly, with lesser regard to context and other socio-cultural suggestions of the expression. As a pre-translation activity this suggests the problems to be solved. Literal Translation is considered an inferior form of translation as it is likely to distort the meaning of the text in an unintentional manner.
Faithful Translation
A faithful translation aims to recreate the precise contextual meaning of the original within the constraints of the TL grammatical structures. It ‘transfers’ cultural words and preserves the degree of grammatical and lexical ‘abnormality’ (deviation from SL norms) in the translation. It attempts to be completely faithful to the intentions and the text conceptions of the SL writer.
Semantic Translation
Semantic Translation can be understood as the method of sense-for-sense translation. It takes into its consideration the context and the various linguistic features of the source text while transmitting it to the target language. Peter NewMark defines Semantic translation as an attempt to render as closely as the semantic and the syntactic structures of the TL allow, the exact contextual meaning of the original, thus making it accurate but not a proper way to communicate. Semantic Translation gives more importance to the aesthetic value (that is, the beautiful and natural sound) of the SL text, compromising on meaning where suitable so that no assonance, word-play or repetition jars in the finished version. The difference between faithful and semantic translation is a close one as the first is uncompromising and dogmatic while the other is more flexible, allows the creative exception to utmost fidelity and make provisions for the translator’s intuitive empathy with the original. Semantic translation is written at the author’s linguistic level, is economical and is used for ‘expressive’ texts.
Adaptation
It is the most flexible rather free form of translation. It is used for literary works: plays and poetry where the theme, characters, plots are usually preserved but the SL culture is converted to the TL culture and the text is rewritten. Adaptations of many plays and poems have given a new relevance and meaning to the age-old texts.