Podcast
Questions and Answers
When did the practice of translation begin?
When did the practice of translation begin?
since the golden age of Roman civilization
What was the debate surrounding translation practice from the 1st century AD to the 20th century?
What was the debate surrounding translation practice from the 1st century AD to the 20th century?
word-for-word or literal versus sense-for-sense or free translation
Who first raised the issue of literal vs sense-for-sense translation?
Who first raised the issue of literal vs sense-for-sense translation?
Cicero
What was Cicero's approach to translation?
What was Cicero's approach to translation?
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Who adopted Cicero's approach to translation in the 4th century AD?
Who adopted Cicero's approach to translation in the 4th century AD?
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Who focused on the importance of aesthetically pleasing and moving translation?
Who focused on the importance of aesthetically pleasing and moving translation?
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What was the translation approach used by Arabs during the Abbassid period?
What was the translation approach used by Arabs during the Abbassid period?
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Why did St. Jerome modify his approach to translation for specific structures of the Holy Scripture?
Why did St. Jerome modify his approach to translation for specific structures of the Holy Scripture?
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What approach to translation did Arab translators favor during that time?
What approach to translation did Arab translators favor during that time?
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What was the Roman Catholic Church's stance on Bible translation?
What was the Roman Catholic Church's stance on Bible translation?
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Why did Martin Luther prefer non-literal translation of the Bible?
Why did Martin Luther prefer non-literal translation of the Bible?
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What are the three categories of translation described by John Dryden?
What are the three categories of translation described by John Dryden?
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What was John Dryden's stance on metaphrase?
What was John Dryden's stance on metaphrase?
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What concept did Friedrich Schleiermacher introduce in the early 19th century?
What concept did Friedrich Schleiermacher introduce in the early 19th century?
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What was the reason for the difficulty in translating literary texts according to Schleiermacher?
What was the reason for the difficulty in translating literary texts according to Schleiermacher?
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How did John Dryden modify his view on translation later on?
How did John Dryden modify his view on translation later on?
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Study Notes
A Brief History of Translation
- Translation practice dates back to the golden age of Roman civilization, during the times of Roman Cicero and the poet and critic Horace.
The Debate between Word-for-Word and Sense-for-Sense Translation
- Cicero, in 46 B.C., raised the issue of word-for-word vs sense-for-sense translation, opting for the latter, prioritizing conveying the intended meaning over literal translation.
- Cicero's approach to translation avoided using equivalent words and structure, focusing on style that conveys the intended meaning.
Contributions of Horace and St. Jerome
- Horace, in Ars Poetica, emphasized the importance of creative translation that is aesthetically pleasing and moving.
- St. Jerome, in the 4th century A.D., adopted Cicero's approach to translation, but with caution, recognizing the sacred nature of the Holy Scripture.
The Abbasid Period and the Arabs' Approach to Translation
- During the Abbasid period, Arabs translated Greek works into Arabic, initially using a literal approach, but later favoring a free or sense-for-sense translation, introducing Arab neologisms, explanatory commentaries, and notes.
The Debate in the Western World
- The debate between literal and free translation continued in the Western world, with the Roman Catholic Church insisting on a correct translation of the Bible, while Martin Luther preferred non-literal translation, arguing that word-for-word translation could not convey the original meaning.
- John Dryden, in the 17th century, introduced a three-category classification of translation, rejecting metaphrase (word-by-word translation) and imitation, and preferring paraphrase (a way towards sense-for-sense translation).
Friedrich Schleiermacher's Concept of Translatability
- In the early 19th century, Friedrich Schleiermacher introduced the concept of translatability and untranslatability, highlighting the difficulty of translating literary texts due to cultural specificities.
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Description
Explore the history of translation from the Roman civilization to the 20th century, including the debate between word-for-word and sense-for-sense translation methods.
