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'?
- Tacitus and Livy
- Virgil and Ovid
- Pliny and Seneca
- Cicero and Horace (correct)
What has been the general practice of translation since antiquity?
What has been the general practice of translation since antiquity?
- It has hardly changed (correct)
- It has become more literal
- It has become more paraphrastic
- It has become more flexible
Which languages have translators generally shown prudent flexibility in seeking equivalents for?
Which languages have translators generally shown prudent flexibility in seeking equivalents for?
- Only fixed-word-order languages
- Only free-word-order languages
- All languages (correct)
- Only Romance languages
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?
What is a greater problem in translation?
What is a greater problem in translation?
What does the translator's role involve?
What does the translator's role involve?
Who is Terence?
Who is Terence?
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?
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?
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?
Which term is used to describe a 'saying in other words' translation?
Which term is used to describe a 'saying in other words' translation?
Which languages adopted the translātiō pattern for their word for 'translation'?
Which languages adopted the translātiō pattern for their word for 'translation'?
What is the risk that a translator always faces when translating?
What is the risk that a translator always faces when translating?
Which languages adopted the trāductiō pattern for their word for 'translation'?
Which languages adopted the trāductiō pattern for their word for 'translation'?
What have source-language calques and loanwords sometimes done to target languages?
What have source-language calques and loanwords sometimes done to target languages?
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'?
What have translators, including early translators of sacred texts, helped shape?
What have translators, including early translators of sacred texts, helped shape?
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'?
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?
According to John Dryden, what is translation?
According to John Dryden, what is translation?
What does the English word 'translation' derive from?
What does the English word 'translation' derive from?
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?
Who observed that 'Translation is a type of drawing after life'?
Who observed that 'Translation is a type of drawing after life'?
Who compared the translator with a musician or actor?
Who compared the translator with a musician or actor?
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?
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?
Who described translation as an art both estimable and very difficult?
Who described translation as an art both estimable and very difficult?
Who wanted to do away with translation and translators altogether?
Who wanted to do away with translation and translators altogether?
Who is credited with being the author of the first Polish novel?
Who is credited with being the author of the first Polish novel?
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?
Flashcards
Translation
Translation
The communication of the original meaning of a source-language text by means of an equivalent target-language text.
Metaphrase
Metaphrase
A translation that seeks to be as literal as possible, word for word.
Paraphrase
Paraphrase
A translation that aims to convey the meaning of the original text in a different way, using different words.
Seeking Equivalents
Seeking Equivalents
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Flexible Translation
Flexible Translation
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Preserving Meaning
Preserving Meaning
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Loss of Meaning
Loss of Meaning
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Cicero and Horace
Cicero and Horace
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Translator's Role
Translator's Role
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Terence
Terence
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Translatio Pattern
Translatio Pattern
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Traductio Pattern
Traductio Pattern
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Source-Language Calques and Loanwords
Source-Language Calques and Loanwords
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Metaphrasis
Metaphrasis
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Paraphrasis
Paraphrasis
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Internet Impact on Translation
Internet Impact on Translation
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Globalization Impact on Cultures
Globalization Impact on Cultures
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Translation as Improvement
Translation as Improvement
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Voltaire's Translation Requirement
Voltaire's Translation Requirement
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Translation as Performing Arts
Translation as Performing Arts
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Translation as a Difficult Art
Translation as a Difficult Art
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First Polish Novel
First Polish Novel
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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.