30 Questions
Which two ancient Roman writers cautioned against translating 'word for word'?
Cicero and Horace
What has been the general practice of translation since antiquity?
It has hardly changed
Which languages have translators generally shown prudent flexibility in seeking equivalents for?
All languages
What do translators seek to preserve by reproducing the original order of sememes?
The context
What is a greater problem in translation?
Translating terms relating to cultural concepts with no equivalent
What does the translator's role involve?
Carrying across values between cultures
Who is Terence?
A 2nd-century-BCE Roman adapter of Greek comedies
Which term refers to the communication of the meaning of a source-language text by means of an equivalent target-language text?
Translating
Which term is used to describe a 'literal' or 'word-for-word' translation?
Metaphrase
What is the terminological distinction made in the English language between translating and interpreting?
Written vs oral communication
Which term is used to describe a 'saying in other words' translation?
Paraphrase
Which languages adopted the translātiō pattern for their word for 'translation'?
Slavic languages
What is the risk that a translator always faces when translating?
Introducing source-language words
Which languages adopted the trāductiō pattern for their word for 'translation'?
Russian and South Slavic languages
What have source-language calques and loanwords sometimes done to target languages?
Enriched them
Which ancient Greek term means 'a speaking across' and has supplied English with the term 'metaphrase'?
Metaphrasis
What have translators, including early translators of sacred texts, helped shape?
The very languages into which they have translated
Which ancient Greek term means 'a saying in other words' and has supplied English with the term 'paraphrase'?
Paraphrase
What has the rise of the Internet fostered in terms of translation services?
A world-wide market
According to John Dryden, what is translation?
The blending of metaphrase and paraphrase
What does the English word 'translation' derive from?
Latin word translatio
Who is credited with being the first European to posit that one translates satisfactorily only toward his own language?
Martin Luther
Who observed that 'Translation is a type of drawing after life'?
Dryden
Who compared the translator with a musician or actor?
Samuel Johnson
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?
Roger Bacon
Who emphasized that assiduous reading is a more comprehensive guide to a language than are dictionaries?
Alexander Tytler
Who described translation as an art both estimable and very difficult?
Ignacy Krasicki
Who wanted to do away with translation and translators altogether?
Roger Bacon
Who is credited with being the author of the first Polish novel?
Ignacy Krasicki
Which traditions have largely replaced other traditions due to Western colonialism and cultural dominance?
Western traditions
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.
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.
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