The History of Translation
30 Questions
6 Views

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to Lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

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?

  • 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?

  • 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?

<p>The context (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a greater problem in translation?

<p>Translating terms relating to cultural concepts with no equivalent (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the translator's role involve?

<p>Carrying across values between cultures (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who is Terence?

<p>A 2nd-century-BCE Roman adapter of Greek comedies (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which term refers to the communication of the meaning of a source-language text by means of an equivalent target-language text?

<p>Translating (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which term is used to describe a 'literal' or 'word-for-word' translation?

<p>Metaphrase (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the terminological distinction made in the English language between translating and interpreting?

<p>Written vs oral communication (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which term is used to describe a 'saying in other words' translation?

<p>Paraphrase (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which languages adopted the translātiō pattern for their word for 'translation'?

<p>Slavic languages (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the risk that a translator always faces when translating?

<p>Introducing source-language words (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which languages adopted the trāductiō pattern for their word for 'translation'?

<p>Russian and South Slavic languages (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What have source-language calques and loanwords sometimes done to target languages?

<p>Enriched them (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which ancient Greek term means 'a speaking across' and has supplied English with the term 'metaphrase'?

<p>Metaphrasis (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What have translators, including early translators of sacred texts, helped shape?

<p>The very languages into which they have translated (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which ancient Greek term means 'a saying in other words' and has supplied English with the term 'paraphrase'?

<p>Paraphrase (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What has the rise of the Internet fostered in terms of translation services?

<p>A world-wide market (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to John Dryden, what is translation?

<p>The blending of metaphrase and paraphrase (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the English word 'translation' derive from?

<p>Latin word translatio (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who is credited with being the first European to posit that one translates satisfactorily only toward his own language?

<p>Martin Luther (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who observed that 'Translation is a type of drawing after life'?

<p>Dryden (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who compared the translator with a musician or actor?

<p>Samuel Johnson (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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?

<p>Roger Bacon (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who emphasized that assiduous reading is a more comprehensive guide to a language than are dictionaries?

<p>Alexander Tytler (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who described translation as an art both estimable and very difficult?

<p>Ignacy Krasicki (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who wanted to do away with translation and translators altogether?

<p>Roger Bacon (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who is credited with being the author of the first Polish novel?

<p>Ignacy Krasicki (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which traditions have largely replaced other traditions due to Western colonialism and cultural dominance?

<p>Western traditions (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Translation

The communication of the original meaning of a source-language text by means of an equivalent target-language text.

Metaphrase

A translation that seeks to be as literal as possible, word for word.

Paraphrase

A translation that aims to convey the meaning of the original text in a different way, using different words.

Seeking Equivalents

The practice of finding equivalent expressions for a language when translating.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Flexible Translation

The ability to adapt translation methods based on context and language nuances.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Preserving Meaning

The goal of translation is to preserve the original meaning of the text.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Loss of Meaning

The potential for a translator to miss important nuances or context when translating.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Cicero and Horace

Roman writers who cautioned against word-for-word translation.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Translator's Role

The role of a translator is to convey the meaning and context of the original text accurately.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Terence

A Roman playwright who was also a translator.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Translatio Pattern

English, French, and Spanish borrowed this pattern for their translation terms.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Traductio Pattern

Italian and Portuguese adopted this pattern for their translation terms.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Source-Language Calques and Loanwords

Words or phrases from one language are borrowed or adapted into another.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Metaphrasis

The ancient Greek term for 'metaphrase'.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Paraphrasis

The ancient Greek term for 'paraphrase'.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Internet Impact on Translation

The internet has made translation services more accessible globally.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Globalization Impact on Cultures

Western colonialism has led to the suppression of non-Western traditions.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Translation as Improvement

John Dryden's view on translation, suggesting it can improve the original text.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Voltaire's Translation Requirement

Voltaire's opinion on translation: translators need skills in both languages and the subject matter.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Translation as Performing Arts

Alexander Fraser Tytler's comparison of translators to musicians and actors.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Translation as a Difficult Art

Nicolas Boileau-Despréaux's perspective on translation, highlighting its difficulty and value.

Signup and view all the flashcards

First Polish Novel

Henryk Sienkiewicz was the author of the first Polish novel.

Signup and view all the flashcards

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.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Quiz Team

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.

More Like This

Use Quizgecko on...
Browser
Browser