12 Questions
Which term is used by Vinay and Darbelnet as a synonym for direct translation?
Literal
What is the procedure called where the SL expression or structure is transferred in a literal translation?
Calque
Which of the following is an example of borrowing mentioned in the text?
Sushi
In what context might borrowings be employed to add local color according to the text?
In tourist brochures
What is a calque according to Vinay and Darbelnet?
A literal translation
What does borrowing entail when languages have differing scripts, according to the text?
Transliteration
What do Vinay and Darbelnet describe as being most common between languages of the same family and culture?
Literal translation
Which translation strategy is recommended by Vinay and Darbelnet when literal translation is not possible?
Oblique translation
What is transposition in translation studies?
Changing one part of speech for another without altering the sense
According to Vinay and Darbelnet, what is modulation in translation?
A change in the semantics and point of view of the source language
What do Vinay and Darbelnet consider as probably the most common structural change undertaken by translators?
Transposition
When is literal translation recommended by Vinay and Darbelnet to be sacrificed?
Due to grammatical, syntactic, or pragmatic reasons
Study Notes
Translation Strategies
- Two general translation strategies identified by Vinay and Darbelnet (1995/2004) are direct translation and oblique translation.
Direct Translation
- Direct translation includes three procedures:
- Borrowing: Transferring SL words directly to the TL, e.g. Russian "rouble", "datcha", "glasnost", and "perestroika" in English.
- Calque: Transferring SL expression or structure in a literal translation, e.g. French "science-fiction" for English "science fiction".
- Literal translation: Word-for-word translation, most common between languages of the same family and culture, e.g. English "I left my spectacles on the table downstairs" translated to French "J'ai laissé mes lunettes sur la table en bas".
Oblique Translation
- Oblique translation includes four procedures:
- Transposition: Changing one part of speech for another without changing the sense, e.g. noun to verb or verb to noun.
- Modulation: Changing the semantics and point of view of the SL, e.g. "the time when" translates to "le moment où" (lit. "the moment where").
- Other procedures: Not mentioned in the text, but implied to be part of the four procedures of oblique translation.
- Vinay and Darbelnet recommend literal translation as the primary strategy, but advocate for oblique translation when necessary due to structural, grammatical, syntactic, or pragmatic reasons.
Learn about the two main translation strategies identified by Vinay and Darbelnet in their work, which include direct translation and oblique translation. Explore the concepts of direct translation, oblique translation, literal translation, and the procedures involved in each strategy.
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