Lingua e traduzione inglese: Fundamental of Translation and Transcreation

Fundamentals of translation

Translation is the relationship between the source text and the target needs to be expressed in a manner that is as descriptive and neutral as possible. Although a perfect definition of translation that captures all possible viewpoints like culture, purpose and genre is not practicable, translation can be understood as the process or the product of transforming a written text or texts from one human language to another which generally requires a significant degree of resemblance or correspondence with respect to the source text.

Types of translation

• Interlinear translation - Linguistic glosses
• Translation literal - Birth certificate
• Translation free - Poetry
• Adaptation - Of novel for TV
• Version - Of the passion of Christ

The extent of the correspondence between two texts in two languages can be conceptualized as a continuum of writing activities, where the dividing lines between translation or version vary according to culture, purpose, genre and contextual factors. The interlinear translation is the closest to the source while versions are the farthest from the degree of resemblance. In the middle exist various types of interlingual activity that may or may not include the word 'translation'.

Some cultures are more tolerant of differences between the source and the target texts, thus still allowing the term translation to be used to refer to the relationship between the two. So, in other words, the range occupied by the concept of translation varies somewhat cross-culturally, with some interlingual texts being considered translations in some cultures, but not in others and prefer to call them "adaptations or versions".

At times, the differences in the degree of resemblance to the source are related to genre and to the purpose or the situational context for the translation. In Western societies, translations of legal texts tend to be closer to the source text than business letters or scientific texts, which are in turn closer to the source than the translation of poems or advertisements.

Equivalence and the definition of translation

Equivalence is strictly related to the concept of translation. Some textbooks make reference to different types of equivalence: equivalence of meaning, equivalence of effect or equivalence of function. A translation may have to aim for equivalence at one particular level while sacrificing equivalence at others. In many cases, the emphasis tends to be on functional equivalence because if the goal of the source text is to inform the readers, then the translation should also function as an educational text. (But of course, it doesn't mean it's less problematic and perfect because we have to consider that a reader can make assumptions about what is reading that can or not match the ones of the writers).

Reading comprehension is a complex process that can rarely be considered equivalent across readers. Even in the best cases, when the readers actually know what the writer thought they knew and basic understanding takes place, no two readers experience the same text in the same way.

The way readers relate to and read a text is related to their experiences of the world, which are never exactly the same. For translated texts, equivalent readings of a text are even more elusive because the readers visualized by the writer are not the same as those reading the translation. In sum, if perfect equivalence is impossible, then it appears that the translation can only be about some degree of equivalence, some type of resemblance or correspondence.

"By translation, we understand the process or the product of transforming written texts from one human language to another that generally requires a necessary degree of resemblance or correspondence with respect to the source text."

Types of translation activity

Scholars and students of translation have traditionally resorted to a variety of terms to express how different translation types or strategies gravitate more or less toward the source or the target.

• Dynamic and formal translation: The dynamic one could be a letter from a politician seeking re-election who is trying to reach constituents in various languages; formal like advance directives for medical treatment from a minority patient.

Covert and overt translation: A translation is covert when the target is expected to function in the target culture without any reference to its being a translation. An overt translation is one that is known to be a translation.

Covert and overt translation: The first can be used in manuals to be sold throughout the world with a co