Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which two ancient Roman writers cautioned against translating 'word for word'?
Which two ancient Roman writers cautioned against translating 'word for word'?
What has been the general practice of translation since antiquity?
What has been the general practice of translation since antiquity?
Which languages have translators generally shown prudent flexibility in seeking equivalents for?
Which languages have translators generally shown prudent flexibility in seeking equivalents for?
What do translators seek to preserve by reproducing the original order of sememes?
What do translators seek to preserve by reproducing the original order of sememes?
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What is a greater problem in translation?
What is a greater problem in translation?
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What does the translator's role involve?
What does the translator's role involve?
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Who is Terence?
Who is Terence?
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Which term refers to the communication of the meaning of a source-language text by means of an equivalent target-language text?
Which term refers to the communication of the meaning of a source-language text by means of an equivalent target-language text?
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Which term is used to describe a 'literal' or 'word-for-word' translation?
Which term is used to describe a 'literal' or 'word-for-word' translation?
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What is the terminological distinction made in the English language between translating and interpreting?
What is the terminological distinction made in the English language between translating and interpreting?
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Which term is used to describe a 'saying in other words' translation?
Which term is used to describe a 'saying in other words' translation?
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Which languages adopted the translātiō pattern for their word for 'translation'?
Which languages adopted the translātiō pattern for their word for 'translation'?
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What is the risk that a translator always faces when translating?
What is the risk that a translator always faces when translating?
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Which languages adopted the trāductiō pattern for their word for 'translation'?
Which languages adopted the trāductiō pattern for their word for 'translation'?
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What have source-language calques and loanwords sometimes done to target languages?
What have source-language calques and loanwords sometimes done to target languages?
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Which ancient Greek term means 'a speaking across' and has supplied English with the term 'metaphrase'?
Which ancient Greek term means 'a speaking across' and has supplied English with the term 'metaphrase'?
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What have translators, including early translators of sacred texts, helped shape?
What have translators, including early translators of sacred texts, helped shape?
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Which ancient Greek term means 'a saying in other words' and has supplied English with the term 'paraphrase'?
Which ancient Greek term means 'a saying in other words' and has supplied English with the term 'paraphrase'?
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What has the rise of the Internet fostered in terms of translation services?
What has the rise of the Internet fostered in terms of translation services?
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According to John Dryden, what is translation?
According to John Dryden, what is translation?
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What does the English word 'translation' derive from?
What does the English word 'translation' derive from?
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Who is credited with being the first European to posit that one translates satisfactorily only toward his own language?
Who is credited with being the first European to posit that one translates satisfactorily only toward his own language?
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Who observed that 'Translation is a type of drawing after life'?
Who observed that 'Translation is a type of drawing after life'?
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Who compared the translator with a musician or actor?
Who compared the translator with a musician or actor?
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Who stated that if a translation is to be true, the translator must know both languages, as well as the science that he is to translate?
Who stated that if a translation is to be true, the translator must know both languages, as well as the science that he is to translate?
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Who emphasized that assiduous reading is a more comprehensive guide to a language than are dictionaries?
Who emphasized that assiduous reading is a more comprehensive guide to a language than are dictionaries?
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Who described translation as an art both estimable and very difficult?
Who described translation as an art both estimable and very difficult?
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Who wanted to do away with translation and translators altogether?
Who wanted to do away with translation and translators altogether?
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Who is credited with being the author of the first Polish novel?
Who is credited with being the author of the first Polish novel?
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Which traditions have largely replaced other traditions due to Western colonialism and cultural dominance?
Which traditions have largely replaced other traditions due to Western colonialism and cultural dominance?
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Study Notes
Ancient Roman Writers
- Cicero and Horace cautioned against translating 'word for word'.
Translation Practices
- The general practice of translation since antiquity has involved seeking equivalents.
Flexible Translation
- Translators have shown prudent flexibility in seeking equivalents for languages like Latin, Greek, Chinese, and Arabic.
Preserving Meaning
- Translators seek to preserve the original order of sememes by reproducing the original meaning.
Challenges in Translation
- A greater problem in translation is the risk of losing the original meaning or context.
Translator's Role
- A translator's role involves preserving the original meaning and context of the text.
Historical Figures
- Terence was a Roman playwright who was also a translator.
Translation Terms
- Translation refers to the communication of the original meaning of a source-language text by means of an equivalent target-language text.
- Metaphrase refers to a 'literal' or 'word-for-word' translation.
- Paraphrase refers to a 'saying in other words' translation.
Linguistic Influences
- Languages that adopted the translātiō pattern for their word for 'translation' include English, French, and Spanish.
- Languages that adopted the trāductiō pattern for their word for 'translation' include Italian and Portuguese.
Language Impact
- Source-language calques and loanwords have sometimes changed the structure and vocabulary of target languages.
Ancient Greek Terms
- The term 'metaphrase' comes from the ancient Greek term 'μετάφρασις' (metaphrasis), meaning 'a speaking across'.
- The term 'paraphrase' comes from the ancient Greek term 'πｧράφρασις' (paraphrasis), meaning 'a saying in other words'.
Shaping Culture
- Translators have helped shape cultural and literary traditions.
Internet Impact
- The rise of the Internet has fostered global translation services.
Notable Quotes
- According to John Dryden, translation is an improvement of the original text.
- According to Voltaire, if a translation is to be true, the translator must know both languages, as well as the science that he is to translate.
- According to Alexander Fraser Tytler, a translator should be like a musician or actor.
- According to Samuel Johnson, if a translation is to be true, the translator must know both languages, as well as the science that he is to translate.
- According to Nicolas Boileau-Despréaux, translation is an art both estimable and very difficult.
Literary Figures
- Henryk Sienkiewicz is credited with being the author of the first Polish novel.
Globalization Impact
- Western colonialism and cultural dominance have led to the replacement of other traditions with Western traditions.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the central concept of translation and its historical development. Explore the evolution of translation practices from ancient Rome to the present day.
