1.

2 Translation theory

Translation is defined as the activity of rendering a text from one language into another. I
would describe this process as an art, because it connects the two cultures. Translation is
not only necessary for linguists, teachers, engineers, mathematicians, both professional
and amateur translators, but also beautiful as it gives the translator the opportunity of
becoming an extension of the author, making their work known and understood to the
world.
The translating process can be seen as simple, but it is, in fact a vast and complex process
which involves knowledge, strategy and passion.
As Newmark relates in his book, translators must have a so called sixth sense for their
own language, when it comes to translating. He says that this sixth sense must be
compounded by intuition, intelligence, sensivity and of course, the power of knowledge.
What makes a translator better than the others is the tools he has and the translation
methods he uses, being aware of the relation between language, meaning, translation and
culture.
You can decide whether a translation is good or bad, but there is no such thing as a
perfect translation. There are just correct translations who managed to keep the sense of
the source text. Every translator is has his own translation style, uses a certain type of
methods of translation depending on the cultural enviroment, the relation between the
two languages, his sixth sense and knowledge.
A translator is constantly facing choiches, for example when it comes to translating
words that denote quality such as adjectives or adverbes more than when translating
events or objects. This process can be described as trying to solve thousands of small
problems in the context of a larger problem.
Translation theory is concerned with using the appropiately translation method for certain
types of text, which is in strong connection with the theory of a language.
However, in a wider sense, translation theory helps the translator to review all the options
that he has and in making the decisions in order to make a correct or as close as perfect as
possible translation.
It is a very important process, and it starts with identifying the translation problems and
defining them, then taking into consideration all the factors in solving the problem
followed by listing all the possible procedures and, in the end, recommending the best
translation procedure and the most suitable translation.
Another very important step in translating a text is, first of all, the understanding of it,
secondly analysing from a translator`s point of view in order to determine the writer`s
intention. You need a good understanding of this two factors for choosing the most
appropriate translation. In order to better understanding the text, you need to be able to
identify the text type.
There are four text types:
- Narrative: a sequence of events, emphasising on the verbs;
- Descriptive: with emphasis on adjectives, nouns and linking verbs;
- Discussion: ideas with emphasis on concepts, verbs of thought, or nouns;
- Dialogue: with emphasis mostly on colloqualism;

When we reffer to a correct translation, we reffer on the quality of the writing and on the
authority of the text. The authority of the text derives from the importance of the text
source. If the writer is important is his field, the translation has to be in perfect
concordance with his importance and authority. The quality of the writing is judged in
relation to the author`s intention. A well written text reflects the personality of the writer.
There are a lot of aspects a translator must comprehend in order to making the most
appropriate and correct translation of the text source.

Translating sentence by sentence might make a translator pay less attention to the
sentence joins. When a translated sentence has no problems, it is based on literal, word by
word translation.

A very important step after the process of translation is over, is the final revision of the
text. There might be many mistakes which can contribute to losing the substantial sense.

There are many translators that claim that it is better to translate sentences or messages,
not words. Newmark thinks that this is a mistake, saying that the text consists of words
and nothing else on the page, so what else should we translate if not it. He highlights the
 importance of the quality of the source text and on understanding and mastering the
terminology of the words. He enumerates four different translation methods:

- Word for word translations: the source language word order stays the same;
- Literal translation: the lexical words are singly translated and the gramatical
constructions are adapted to their nearest equivalents;
- Semantic translation: it puts more value on the aesthetic aspect and it is more flexible;
- Communicative translation: it gives the exact contextual meaning of the source text;

From this two four translating methods, Newmark prefers semantic and communicative
translations as they fulfil the main purpose of translation, which are: economy and
accuracy.

In the process of translation, Newmark does not reccomend translating one or two
sentences if you have not read at least two or three paragraphs. There always comes a
conflict word versus sentence or phrase, because the word can be for example a jargon, or
have a terminology that you are not aware of, and change the whole meaning of your
sentence when wrongly translated.

In principle, the quality of a translation is based on the comprehension of source language

text and having the right translatory discipline in order to choosing the most suitable
methods and in finding the most appropriate translation to the source text.

In conclusion, a proffesional translator must study the text as something that will have to
be reconstitued for different cultures and social catgories, apply translations theory, make
the right decisions and keep the essence and sense of the source text.1

1
A textbook of translations by Peter Newmark