CONTENTS

Unit One: What is translation and why translation?

Definitions
Source Language and Receptor Language
Why translation?
Unit Two: Approaches and Kinds of translation
Approaches
Kinds of Translation
Translating Grammatical Features
Translating Lexical Features
Translation Equivalence
Unit Three: Ways of Translation
Transference
Naturalization
Cultural equivalent
Synonym
Transposition
Replacement
Addition
Omission
Unit Four: Principles of Translation
Meaning
Form
Register
Source Language Influence
Text Style
Idiom
Unit Five: Steps for Translation
Steps for Written Translation
Steps for Oral Translation
Reference Books

Unit 1: What is translation and why translation?

Task 1: Read the following sentences or passages and then translate them into the
receptor (target) language.

1. Situated at the crossroads of western, central, and Eastern Europe, Yugoslavia offers
magnificent vistas of coastline, beautiful beaches, the clear water of the Adriatic, as well as
unspoilt pine forests and tranquil lakes.
2. Store in a cool, dry place. Keep well out of reach of children.
3. In great cities men are like a lot of stones thrown together in a bag; their jagged corners are
rubbed off till the end they are as smooth as marbles.
4. Fixing the refrigerator was a real pisser. We didnt have any of the right tool.
5. Viet Nam muon thuc ay tnh hu ngh cung nh s hp tac a
phng dien vi MaLai.
6. ng co an noi ho o nh vay. Toi chan ngay nhng g anh
noi roi.

Task 2: Answer the following questions

a. Where are the sentences extracted?
b. What are the differences between the stylistic scales of the sentences?
c. What did you pay attention to when you translated?

Task 3: Read and discuss the following definitions.

Definitions
_ According to Newmark (1988), translation is rendering the meaning of a text into another
language in the way that the author intended the text.
_ E.A. Nida (1975) states that translating is reproducing in the receptor language the closest
natural equivalent of the massage of the source language, first in term of meaning and second
in terms of style.
_ Roger.T.Bell also states that translation is the expression in another language (or target
language) of what has been expressed in another, source language, preserving semantic and
stylistic equivalent.
_ Translation, by dictionary definition, consists of changing from one state or form to another
to turn into ones own or another language.
To summarize, all the above definitions have the same point of view; semantic and
stylistic equivalent in translation.

Task 4: Read the following and answer the questions:

_ What is the source language?
_ What is the target language?
SOURCE LANGUAGE AND RECEPTOR LANGUAGE (TARGET LANGUAGE)
Translation is basically a change of form. When we speak of the form of a language we are
referring to the actual words, phrases, clauses, sentences, paragraphs, etc., which are spoken or
written. These forms are referred to as the surface structure of a language. It is the structural
part of language which is actually seen in print or heard in speech. In translation the form of
the source language is replaced by the form of the receptor (target) language.
Translation consists of transferring the meaning of the source language into
the receptor language. This is done by going from the form of the first

language to the form of the second language by way of semantic structure.

It is meaning which is being transferred and must be held constant. Only
the form changes. The form which the translation is made will be called the
SOURCE LANGUAGE. Translation, then, consists of studying the lexicon,
grammatical structure, communication situation, and cultural context of the
source language text, analyzing it in order to determine its meaning, and
then reconstructuring this same meaning using the lexicon and
grammatical structure which are appropriate in the RECEPTOR
LANGUAGE

Task 5: Read the following and answer the question

_ What are the purposes of translation?
Why Translation?
We all have a mother tongue, or first language. This shapes our way of
thinking, and to some extent our use of the foreign language
( pronunciation, choice of words, tone, word order, etc.).
Translation is an activity that serves as:
1. A technique of language learning:
- It helps us to understand better the influence of the one language on the
other, and to correct errors of habit that creep in unnoticed (such as the
misuse of particular words or structures).
-It enables us to explore the potential of both languages their strengths and
weaknesses.
Translation develops three qualities essential to all language learning:
accuracy, clarity, and flexibility. It trains the learner to search (flexibility) for
the most appropriate words (accuracy) to convey what is meant (clarity).
2.A means of communication: it is used for multilingual notices, for official documents, for
reports, papers, articles, correspondence, and textbooks to convey information, advice and
recommendations for every branch of knowledge.
3. A transmitter of culture: it has been instrumental in transmitting culture ever since centuries.
Through translations we understand peoples customs, traditions etc, in different countries.
4. A source of personal pleasure: it is applied not only at school but outside the classroom as
well. Translation has its own excitement and its own interest. A satisfactory translation is
always possible, but it can usually be improved, so a translator is always trying to extend his
knowledge and improve his means of expression through a translation activity.

Unit 2: Approaches and Kinds of Translation

I. Approaches
Task 1: Work in pairs to translate the following into the receptor languages.

a. Analytical Chemistry is the experimental foundation of chemistry. Without it little could be

accomplished in any branch of the science. It is concerned with the separation,
identification, and composition of various kinds of matter.
b. Hang trieu con chuot ang m cuoc tap kch vi qui mo ln
tan cong nhng canh ong lua khap ba mien Nam, Trung,
Bac, gam nham hang nghn hec ta lua. Cha co so lieu
thong ke ay u ch c lng trc 1997, moi nam chung
gam khoang 45.000 ha tng ng vi 6 trieu o la
Notes
Cuoc tap kch qui mo ln: a large scale raid
Gam nham: gnaw, nipple, eat up
So thong ke: statistical data
c lng: estimate

Task 2: Read the following passages about Approaches of Translation and then
decide which approach you have applied for translating the above passages.
The choice of the approach depends on the style/ kind of the text.
* Semantic Approach is used for the scientific register which might include texts on science,
technology, astronomy, medicine, computers; instructions for machines, contracts and law
documents, which emphasize the content rather than the complex structure.
It consists of: Respect the original language
Translate accurately
Follow the rules; without omission, addition or interpretation.
Meaning
* Communicative Approach can be applied for translating texts on culture, journalism,
propaganda, public notices, popular fictionThis approach is very common nowadays.
It consists of: Respect the target language of the translation
Translate communicatively
The translation is based on the way of expressing of the target language.
However, communicative and semantic translation may well coincide-in particular, where the
context conveys a general rather a culturally bound message and where the matter is as
important as the manner. Further, these are often sections in one text that must be translated
communicatively, and others semantically ( e.g. a quotation of a speech). There is no one
communicative nor one semantic approach of translating a text-these are in fact widely
overlapping bands of approaches. A translation can be more or less semantic or
communicative.

II. Kinds of Translation

Task 3: How could you translate the following into Vietnamese?
I fastened her in my heart.
Ive kept her memory in my heart.

Task 4: Read the following and answer the questions

a. What are the two kinds of translation?

b. What are the differences between these two kinds?

Because a given text has both form and meaning, there are two main kinds of translations. One
is form-based and the other is meaning-based.
Form-based translations attempt to follow the form of the source language and are
known as literal translation. ( Dch theo nguyen van)
Meaning-based translations make every effort to communicate the meaning of the
source language text in the natural forms of the receptor language. Such translations are called
idiomatic translations ( Dch theo dien giai)
Although literal translations may be very useful for purposes related to the study of the source
language, they are of little help to speakers of the receptor language who are interested in the
meaning of the source language text. If the two languages are related, the literal translation can
often be understood, since the general grammatical form may be familiar. However, the literal
choice of lexical items makes the translation sound foreign. For example,
French: Madame, Odette, passager destination de Douala, est demandee au telephone.
Literal English: Madame, Odette, passenger with destination Douala, is
demanded on the telephone.
Idiomatic English: Ms. Odette, passenger for Douala, you are wanted on the
phone.
A truly literal translation is uncommon. Most translators who tend to
translate literally make a partially modified literal translation. They modify
the order and grammar enough to use acceptable sentence structure in the
receptor language. However, the lexical items are translated literally.
Idiomatic translations use the natural forms of the receptor language,
both in the grammatical constructions and in the choice of lexical items. A
truly idiomatic translation does not sound like a translation. It sounds like it
was written originally in the receptor language. Therefore, a good translator
will try to translate idiomatically. This is his goal. However, translations are
often a mixture of a literal transfer of the grammatical units along with
some idiomatic translation of the meaning of the text. It is not easy to
consistently translate idiomatically. A translator may express some parts of
his translation in very natural forms and then in other parts fall back into a
literal form.

Task 5: Read the following and then discuss with your

partners
Translating Grammatical Features
Parts of speech are language specific. Each language has its own division of
the lexicon into classes such as nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs,
conjunctions, articles, etc. Different languages will have different classes
and subclasses.
For example:

Articles:
_ She gave me a book. The book is very interesting. ( Co ay tang toi
mot cuon sach. Cuon sach rat la hay.)
Plural nouns:
_ There are some children/ girls in the schoolyard. ( Co mot vai a
tre/ co gai ngoai san trng)
Prefixes / suffixes:
_ She is unfriendly. ( Co ay khong than thien)
Word order:
_ A world cultural heritage site ( mot di san van hoa the gii)
_ It takes her five minutes to go to work. ( Co ay mat 5 phut e i
en ni lam viec)
Tenses:
_ He has been gambling for ages, but he hasnt been arrested yet. ( a
t lau han ta bai bac nhng van cha b bat.)
A translator should translate the meaning and not concern himself
with whether the forms turn out the same or not.

Translating Lexical Features

Each language has its own idiomatic way of expressing meaning through
lexical items ( words, phrases, etc.) Languages abound in idioms,
secondary meanings, metaphors, and other figurative meanings.
For example:
a. Where there is a will, there is a way. ( Co ch th nen.)
b. After he hurt her feeling, she paid back the same coin. ( Sau khi b anh ta lam ton
thng, co ay a tra mieng)
Translation is a complicated process. However, a translator who is
concerned with transferring the meaning will find that the receptor
language has a way in which the desired meaning can be expressed, even
though it may be very different from the source language form. A translator
who takes the time to study carefully the source language text, to write a
semantic analysis of it, and then to look for the equivalent way in which the
same message is expressed naturally in the receptor language, will be able
to provide an adequate, and sometimes brilliant translation. He will know
he is successful if the receptor language readers do not recognize his work
as a translation at all.

Translation Equivalence
Linguistic equivalence, where there is homogeneity ( tnh ong nhat)
on the linguistic level of both SL and TL texts, i.e. word for word translation.
Paradigmatic equivalence ( he bien hoa ve mat ng phap ),
where there is equivalence of the elements of a paradigmatic expressive
axis. (A word has relations with words that could be substituted for it in the
sentence)

Stylistic equivalence, where there is functional equivalence of elements

in both original and translation aiming at an expressive identity with an
invariant of identical meaning.
Textual (syntagmatic) equivalence, where there is equivalence of the
syntagmatic structuring of a text, i.e. equivalence of form and shape.

1. She

gave me a book.

( Syntagmatic)

0ffered

Co ay a cho toi mot cuon sach.

a tang
(Paradigmatic)
Task 6: Translate the following
languages.
What kinds of translation are applied for each?

into

receptor

1. Dont beat about the bush.

____________________________________________________________________
2. Nothing is more valuable than independence and freedom.
____________________________________________________________________
3. The war has caused our economy to go backward at least 30 years.
____________________________________________________________________
4. The Vietnam War left deep wounds in the hearts of many Americans.
____________________________________________________________________
5. If youre at a loose end this weekend, Joan, why not come over for a
meal? Itll give us a chance to catch up on some gossip.
____________________________________________________________________
6. She lost her heart when she lost her job.
____________________________________________________________________
7. Anyone who corrupts will do time in prison.
____________________________________________________________________
8. Chnh phu va quyet nh xay dng con ng Ho Ch Minh.
____________________________________________________________________
9. Ong chu toa cuoc hop a i den mot ket luan het sc ngac
nhien
____________________________________________________________________
10. Chiec xe ch con la mot th o bo i (write-off) sau vu tai nan.
____________________________________________________________________
11. Cac doanh nghiep t nhan co the xuat khau hang hoa ra
nc ngoai.
____________________________________________________________________

12. Trong nhiem k th hai cua mnh, tong thong My a dan xep
(settle)c cac van e kinh te.
____________________________________________________________________
13. Ong giam oc ngan hang a b bat v toi gian lan so sach.
____________________________________________________________________
14. Tay pho trng phong kinh doanh rat an canh vi ong giam
oc. ( be hand in glove with)
____________________________________________________________________
15. Phu n qua tuoi 30 thng ngh la ho a qua th.
____________________________________________________________________
16. Kinh te th trng chac chan se kch thch nen kinh te cua VN
phat trien.
____________________________________________________________________

Task 7: Read the passages below, and then answer the questions that
follow.
1. I heard the footsteps on the sidewalk and the light tap on the wooden door. My lips began to
quiver, opening a new floodgate of tears, and I hid behind Brother Lu. Mom walked in first and
hugged him, then looked at me with a weak smile. Her eyes were swollen from her own tears,
and I was thankful she had not wept in front of me.. And then Dad was there. He didnt even
shake Luthers hand, just nodded as he swept by, coming to me and gathering me up into his
strong arms, holding me close as he whispered to me I love you, I love you, and I will love
your baby, too.
2. China last week reported its first cases of bird flu. But the British magazine New Scientist
reported that the current outbreak in Asia began months ago in Southern China. The report
suggested that efforts to prevent the flu had caused it. China started to vaccinate chickens after
the 1997 outbreak in Hong Kong. The Foreign Ministry dismissed the report. A Chinese
agricultural official called it purely a guess.
3. Chemistry is the scientific study of the substances that make up the universe. Chemists
investigate the properties of substances and how different conditions affect the way substances
behave.

Unit 3: Ways of Translation

Task 1: Study the following ways of translation and then discuss with your
partners.
1. Transference (Emprunt, t vay mn)
Peter Newmark considers that there are no words that are more appropriate than the words of
the source (original) language used in the translation. For example, in English we find familiar
French words used in diplomacy: dtente, coup, demarche, dachs-hund, samova,; in
military: lieutenant, general, colonel

The translator does not usually translate peoples proper names, Tong thong Bill
Clinton, Thanh Cat T Han ( Gennjis Khan), the names of some places or
works of literature, and cultural words, such as, Kimono, Aodai, Spaghetti,
Sake,

2. Naturalization (a phng hoa)

Naturalization and the transcription of the names of foreign countries have
been accepted for long, such as New Zealand (Niu-di-lan)
3. Cultural equivalent (tng ng van hoa)
If the two languages have a different culture, the task of translation will be
much more difficult. Some words have equivalence in meaning but it is not
easy to describe them: cricket (bong bau duc), baseball (da cau,
bong chay), tea break (giai lao), le hoi bat bong ( flower catching),
le hoi am trau ( buffalo slaughtering) at that time the translator may
use Interpreting Translation Approach to interpret the meaning in
parenthesis.
4. Synonym (ong ngha)
When the translator translate a text into another language, he or she
should try to find the exact equivalent in the two languages in case those
words are very important in the text.
For example, Personne gentille-Kind person: ngi tot
Conte piquant- Racy story: cau chuyen hap dan
However, words that have similar meanings are acceptable in translation.
5. Transpositions (hoan v)
Transposition is the way of changing the order of the language components
(words, phrases, clauses, and sentences). This change of order is necessary
to keep the meaning and the content of the original massage. In an English
sentence, the traditional order is: Subject_predicate_object_adverbial
modifier (manner, place, time), but in a Vietnamese sentence, we tend to
place adverbial of time at the beginning of the sentence or question words
at the end of the sentence.
For example: - We send flowers faithfully to the cemetary each week.
Moi tuan chung toi eu em hoa ti ngha trang.
- How long have you been in Vietnam?
Ong Viet Nam c bao lau roi?
6. Replacement (thay the)
Grammatical structures or functions can be replaced to make the receptor
language natural: N-V, Plural_singular, Singular_plural, Past_present/present
perfect
For example:
a. _ It takes hours for him to make his decision.
_ Han mat may tieng ong ho mi quyet nh c. ( The
noun decision is replaced by the verb quyet nh)
b. _ If it is conceived in an evolutionary sense.
_ Neu ta nhn t goc o cua thuyet tien hoa. (The passive form
is replaced by the active form)
c. _Juvenile deliquency _ Toi pham v thanh nien

_ American diplomatic policy_ Chnh sach oi ngoai My ( An adjective

is replaced by a noun)
d. _Last months election saw the voters negative feeling to the authority
_ Dan chung a to thai o bat man oi vi nha cam quyen
trong cuoc bau c thang va qua. ( The subject is replaced by the
secondary element)
7. Addition ( them vao)
Sometimes the translator has to add some more words or ideas to a
sentence to make its meaning clearer.
For example: He was hard hit by her death_ Han ta choang vang nh b
bua ta v nang qua i.
8. Omissions ( Lc bo)
When the original sentence is too random or arbitrary or with a wordy style,
the translator may omit some words or ideas on condition that the main
idea is kept precisely, or according to Peter Newmark Sacrificed accuracy
for economy in the translation
For example:
Well, suppose youre camping out and suppose its a hot night, or
youre in a hurry and youve made camp late, or anyway you havent got
inside any tent but you have just bedded down in the open ( Owen Wister,
the Virginian, P.115)
A, gia s anh ban i chi ma tri th nong hoac la anh
ban co viec gap va phai giang leu muon, hoac v ly do nao
o ma phai ngu ngoai tri

Apply the above different ways of translation to translate the

following passage into English.
Mac du Viet Nam a phat trien cac nganh cong nghiep va
dch vu, nhng Viet Nam van la mot nc nong nghiep. ai a
so dan so co cong an viec lam ang lao ong cac nganh
nong nghiep, lam nghiep, chan nuon va ng nghiep. Gao san
xuat ong bang song Hong va ong bang song cu Long
u e nuoi hn 80 trieu ngi Viet Nam va e xuat khau.
Chung ta t hao rang VN la nc xuat khau gao ng th hai
tren the gii sau Thai Lan. Song VN van con la nc ngheo.
Chnh v vay chung ta ang thc hien chng trnh xoa oi giam
ngheo nham muc ch giup cho ngi dan tng bc cai thien
ieu kien song cua ho.

Unit 4: Principles of Translation

When translating a language into another language, a

translator must pay attention to the following principles:
1. Meaning.
Task 1: Read the following passage about meaning and study the
diagram

Translation is communicating the same meaning in a second language as

were communicated in the first. One must be aware of the fact that
there are various kinds of meaning. Not all of the meaning which is
being communicated is stated overtly in the forms of the source
language text. Discovering the meaning of the text to be translated
includes consideration of both explicit and implicit information.

Kinds of meaning:
Explicit

Referential Meaning
Meaning

Organizational Meaning

Implicit

Situational

Task 2: Find out the different meanings of the words, phrases or

sentences in the examples below.
a. Can nha ni toi sinh ra la mot mai nha tranh nam ngay ben
canh mot con song uon mnh bao quanh ngoi lang nho bexinh
ep.
b. I found it difficult to hold my tongue when Dorothy was making a
mountain out of a molehill, since the fuss was only about trifling things.
However, she got hold of the wrong end of the stick.
c. Cha nao con nay, Chet het n
d. A good actor cannot merely imagine a given situation but can feel what
it would be like in such situation. Art without feeling is dead.
The translation should reflect accurately the meaning of the original text.
Nothing should be arbitrarily added or removed, though occasionally part of
the meaning can be transposed. For example,
Co ay u ru/ eo la/ yeu t/ ach v met moi may be
translated She was limp with fatigue.
So when you do some translation, ask yourself:
- is the meaning of the original text clear? If not, where does the
unclear lie?
- Are there any underlying implications?
For example, C sa neu toi sai. Correct me if Im wrong
suggests I know Im right!
- Is the dictionary meaning of a particular word the most suitable one?
- Does anything in the translation sound unnatural or forced?
2. Form.
Task 3: Read the following and analyze the examples and offer
three translations.

The ordering of the words and ideas in the translation should match the
original as closely as possible. (This is particularly important in translating
legal documents, guarantees, contracts, etc.) However, differences in
language structure between Vietnamese and English often require changes
in the form and order of words. For example, Dalat la mot thanh pho
ep. Dalat is a beautiful city. epand beautiful are adjectives. They
have different orders in the same sentence structure.
Examples:
a. Ngi ta cho rang van e moi trng tai cac thanh pho ln
can phai c quan tam hn bao gi het.
b. That the Vikings discovered America is accepted by all but a few
scholars.
_ It is accepted by all but a few scholars that the Vikings discovered
America.
_ All but a few scholars accept the fact that the Vikings discovered America.
_ The discovery of America by the Vikings is a fact accepted by all but a few
scholars.
3. Register
Task 4: Read the following passage and study the examples.
Languages differ greatly in their levels of formality in a given context.
The translator must:
a. Distinguish formal/informal, cold/warm, personal/ impersonallanguage.
b. Recognize the intention of the speaker or writer. You cannot isolate from
understanding it. They go together and the title may be remote from the
content as well as the intention. The intention of the text represents the
source language writers attitude to the subject matter.( to persuade/
dissuade, apologize / criticize..For instance: Look, that is nice of her. Is
it ironical, openly or implicitly?
c. Recognize the vocabulary in the text.
Formal
Informal
Depart
go
Retain
keep
Cease
stop
Reside
live
Arrive
come along
Irritate
get on ones nerves
Despair
give up hope of
Deficiency
lack
Comprehension
understanding
Subsequently
next/later
Initially
at first
Incorrect
wrong
Sufficient
enough
The scale of formality

 Officialese ( Phong cach han lam)

E.g: The consumption of any nutriments whatsoever is categorically
prohibited in this establishment.
Official (phong cach nghiem tuc)
E.g: The consumption of nutriments is prohibited.
Formal (phong cach lch s)
E.g: You are requested not to consume food in this establishment.
Neutral (phong cach trung lap)
E.g: Eating is not allowed here.
Informal (phong cach than mat)
E.g: Please dont eat here.
Coloquial (phong cach hoi thoai)
E.g: You cant feed your face here.
Slang (phong cach long)
E.g: Lay off the nosh.
Taboo (phong cach cam k)
Lay off the fucking nosh.
Task 5: Point out the scale of formality of the following passages
and then translate them into Vietnamese.
a. Study conditions can sometimes be difficult for you as well. If I get hold
of the wrong end of the stick because I dont know what the problem
is, I cant help you. If you tell me whats wrong, then its my job to
help you sort it out.
b. The prospect of another six months waiting angered my client. He told
the council officer he was no longer prepared to tolerate the situation;
moreover, he felt it was the Councils job to restore peace and quiet to the
neighborhood. Nevertheless, in the twelve months that have elapsed since
the officer came, the Council has taken no further action.
4. Source Language Influence.
Task 6: Read the following passage and then study the examples
that follow.
One of the most frequent criticisms of translation is that it doesnt sound
natural. This is because the translators thoughts and choice of words are
strongly moulded by the original text. A good way of avoiding this
influence, is to set the text aside and translate a few sentences aloud, from
memory. You have to disengage yourself from the SL text, by reading your
own translation as though no original existed. You have to bear in mind that
the level of naturalness of natural usage is grammatical as well as lexical
( i.e. the most frequent syntactic structures, idioms and words that are
likely to be appropriately found in the stylistic context of the receptor
language.)
Example: Translate the verses below into Vietnamese and see
whether your mother tongue influences your ways of translation.

1. Khi

nhn thay co ta, mat han tai xanh nh tau la.

2. Co rat nhieu cong nhan Viet Nam ang lam viec Ma Lai a
bo tron khoi cac cong ty ma ho ang lam viec.
3. Toi a t nhat mot lan nghe co ay hat. That an tng.
4. Kho co the lai khong quan tam ti van e tham nhung ang
lan tran khap moi ni tren toan quoc.
5. Text Style.
Task 7: Read the following to study the four types of text.
There are four types of text
Narrative: a dynamic sequence of events, where the emphasis is on the
verbs, verb-nouns, or phrasal verbs. (e.g. He made a sudden
appearance , He burst in.
Description: which is static, with emphasis on linking verbs, adjectives,
adjectival nouns. ( e.g. She looks more beautiful in this dress.
Discussion: a treatment of ideas, with emphasis on abstract nouns
(concepts), verbs of thought, mental activity, logical argument and
connectives. ( e.g. The government does not consider that subsidized
state-owned enterprises can operate independently.)
Dialogue: with emphasis on colloquialism. ( e.g. How are you? Nice day
isnt it? It serves you right.)
Read the following passages and point out their types of text.
1. Would it not be equally disastrous if everybody always told the truth?
How many families depend for their stability on the little white lie? How
much unhappiness, how many wars are avoided simply because people
have the good taste to hide the hatred and contempt they feel for other
people? And as for love and desire, could these emotions not be ultimately
more destructive to society than any negative feelings?
2. At exactly 5.04, the earthquake struck. Our department started shaking
violently as if it were a small wooden boat being tossed by giant waves in
the ocean. At first, none of us realized what was happening. The my sister
yelled, Earthquake! Get under something! I was too stunned to move, but
the shaking was so strong that I soon fell off the sofa onto the floor. I half
rolled, half crawled across the floor to the dining table and got under it.
3. The other thing they say is that they want to give the job to somebody
whos got good personal skills . Im afraid that means being
charming, sociable and articulate. ( Never mind, Im sure theyll accept
a rude, sulky delinquent if shes good enough at bluffing her way
through interviews!) oh, yes, and youve got to be good on the phone.
4. Beyond the village, a trail leads to the top of a steep cliff over looking
Havasu Canyon. Your first view of the canyon takes your breath away.
Directly in front of you, the trail disappears straight down the two hundredfoot cliff. There are deep steps cut into the rock, and there is a strong chain
bolted to the cliff. You have to hold the chain when you climb down, or you
might fall.
6. Idiom.
Task 8: Read the following.

Idiomatic expressions include similes, metaphors, proverbs and sayings,

jargon, slang, and colloquialisms.
For example:
a. I was pulling your leg. (idiom)
b. He was as hot as fire after running three miles. (simile)
c. When he finally gets doing his duties, he is a streak of lightening.
(metaphor)
d. The wind howled angrily around the house all night. (personification)
e. To run with the hare and to run with the hounds. (proverb)
f. Whyd you tell him his girls a dog? (slang)
g. With friends like you, who needs enemies? (irony)
If the expressions cannot be directly translated, try any of the following:
- retain the original word, in inverted commas: E.g. Phong trao en
n ap ngha
- retain the original expression, with a literal explanation in brackets:
E.g . Cha khoi vong a cong uoi it implies a person who is
ungrateful to people who have helped him or her.
- Use a close equivalent: E.g. Cha nao con ay- like father like son.
- Use a non-idiomatic or plain prose translation: E.g. Ban anh em xa
mua lang gieng gan.- better is a neighbour that is near than a
brother.
However, if the idiom does not work in the L1 or L2, do not force it into the translation.
Task 9: Find a Vietnamese proverb equivalent to the English ones
below.
a. A clean fast is better than a dirty breakfast.
e. Man proposes, but God
disposes
b. Many men, many minds
f. After a storm, comes a calm sea.
c. Out of sight, out of mind
g. East or West-home is the best
d. Every ones business is no ones business
h. Necessity is the
mother of invention
Task 10: Find an English proverb equivalent to the Vietnamese
ones below.
a. Ep dau ep m ai l ep duyen.
f. Khong co la sao
co khoi.
b. Thung rong keu to.
g. i khong phai toan la hay
vi ep.
c. ng ua vi la.
h. c cai no mat cai kia.
d. Gan mc th en, gan en th sang. i. Hong nhan bac phan.
e. Hoan nan mi hieu ban be.
j. Ke cap gap ba gia.
7. How to deal with some special uses of language
* Voice
The passive voice is used very frequently in English. And when it is
translated into Vietnamese we usually write or say B/ c. However,
in Vietnamese the choice for the word b / c depends on the
perception of experiencer himself or herself, whether he/she enjoys the
experience or not. Hence, the English sentence Th boy was given a shot.

can be translated into Vietnamese as either Thang be c tiem

thuoc. Or Thang be b tiem thuoc., but The house was
decorated last year. Can only be translated as Can nha c trang tr
vao nam ngoai or A lot of soldiers were killed in the war. can be
translated as Nhieu ngi lnh a b giet trong cuoc chien.
On the other hand, in Vietnamese sometimes c / b is used not
having passive meaning. For example, Thang be b nga ( The little
boy fell.), Me toi b au. ( My mother is ill.) .
* Non-subject Vietnamese sentences
Sometimes in Vietnamese there are sentences without subjects or only
implied subjects.
For example, Can ay manh cong nghiep hoa, hien ai hoa.
Van cha co cach cha benh AIDS.
Can phai bao ve moi trng
The following techniques can be used for translation:
- Introductory subject IT +to BE : It is necessary to promote industrialization
and modernization.
- Passive voice: Industrialization and modernization should be promoted.
- THERE + to BE : There has been no cure for AIDS.
- Non-finite verbs: Protecting the environment is necessary.
_ Rewriting the source language and then translate.
Chung ta can ay manh cong nghiep hoa, hien ai
hoa.
We should promote industrialization and modernization.
* Newspaper headlines
There are some main points to be noticed in translating newspaper
headlines:
Present tense for past events
Present participle for events in progress
TO-infinitive for present/future events
Past participle for passive voice
Nouns / verb + noun
Translate the following into English.
a. Thu Tng Phan Van Khai ang tham nc My
b. Them nhieu d an au t nc ngoai c cap giay phep
trong nam nay
c. Bung no au t Viet Nam
d. Gia vang se
tang
e. Nhieu tai nan thng tam xay ra trong dp tet
f. TP. HCM- ao tao nguon nhan lc cho cac cong ty

Unit 5: Steps for Translation

STEPS FOR WRITTEN TRANSLATION

Task 1: Read the following steps for translation and discuss

with your partners.
I. ANALYSIS

1. Reading the text

A translator begins his translation by reading the original (source language)
in order to understand what the text is about, and to analyze the intention
of the text, the text style, the stylistic scale, etc. And then you can select a
suitable translation approach

2. Analysis of sentences

* Identify the sentences of the text, divide the sentences into clauses and
find out whether the clauses are noun, adjective or adverb.
* Analyze the clauses to find out how many phrases each clause has and
which phrases modify nouns and which ones modify verbs, etc.
* Compare the language structures of the two languages. According to Dr.
Nguyen c Dan, the language of Vietnamese has no tenses so that
you must be careful with the implication of tenses in Vietnamese:
For example:
_ Nam ngoai toi a i Ha Noi.
_ Bay gi co ay a la sinh vien.
_ Ngay mai a la chu nhat.
* Compare semantic features in order to make the meaning suitable in the
target language, in particular the implication meaning.
For example: Toi yeu co ay hn anh. We can understand and translate
this sentence in two ways:
1. I love her more than you. (I love her and I also love you) or (I love her
and you love her, too)
2. I love her more than you do (I love her and you love her, too.)
Or when a girl says Sao anh khong ve i con ng o lam g? to
her boyfriend. The question is that whether the girl wants her boyfriend to
go home or not.
* Look up the new words, expressions or idioms if necessary and then
select the exact or equivalent ones.
II. TRANSFER (chuyen hoan)
The Translation of the source language text into the receptor language text
is based on the analysis of the language structures, semantics and
pragmatics. Pay attention to phrases, key words and syntax.
III. RESTRUCTURING (phuc nguyen)
Reread all the sentences which you have translated into the target
language for some purposes:
To see whether:

_ you can combine two or more clauses or phrases

_ there are some repeated words or phrases.
_ the sentences are wordy and arbitrary.

_ the use of the words are exact.

_ the use of the structures in the target language are
appropriate.
Nidas model of the translation process illustrates the stages involved:

SOURCE LANGUAGE
TEXT

RECEPTOR LANGUAGE
TRANSLATION

ANALYSIS

RESTRUCTURING
TRANSFER

Decoding
SOURCE LANGUAGE
Hello
Friendly greeting on arrival

RECEPTOR LANGUAGE
Chao / ca va (French)
Decision to distinguish between forms of
greeting available

TRANSFER

Task 2: Apply the steps above to translate the passage below

into Vietnamese.
National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Van An has asked full-time
deputies to focus their thoughts on seven proposed pieces of legal
legislation, including a Civil Procedures Code. The chairman made his call at
the third meeting of full-time deputies in Ha Noi yesterday. In addition to
discussing the proposed legislation, the deputies will also assess two
resolutions defining the work of the assemblys standing and other
committees and its nationalities council.
STEPS FOR ORAL TRANSLATION (Interpretation)

Task 1: Read the following steps for interpretation

I. LISTEN AND TRY TO REMEMBER THE ORIGINAL MESSAGE

When you interpret a message, you need to have a basic relatively stable
knowledge of grammar and vocabulary of the two languages; SL and RL.
You also need to have good skills of listening and speaking. In addition, you
have to distinguish between direct listening and indirect listening. Direct
listening means you listen to conversations between two or more people in
real life. When you listen and interpret, you can ask the speakers to repeat.
It is also easier for you because the speakers may use more Colloquial
language than Officialese and there are fewer words in spoken language
than those in written language. Indirect Listening includes on the radio,
television, or films, etc. This kind of listening is more difficult than the
former so the students need more practice not only in class but also at
home.
The interpreter has to remember the original message. If the
sentence is rather long and has coordinators, try to analyze or divide into
short ones. In order to have a good memory, you have to practise
frequently. Revising silently (nham) when you have listened to a sentence
is very necessary before you analyze and interpret. This task helps you to
remember the original message.
II. ANALYSIS

1. Grammatical Analysis: You have to pay attention to tenses, voices

or kinds of clauses, etc .
For example:
Ch tanh ma a! Lets wait here until the rain stops.
The word a in Vietnamese sometimes have different grammatical
meanings, not only in the past.
E.g. Han a i ngay hom qua. He left yesterday.
But An cai a Lets eat first.
Toi a nghe co ay hat. I have heard her singing.
Besides, there are some more words or expressions in Vietnamese which
sometimes we confuse.
E.g. Ong Viet Nam bao lau roi?
Ong Viet Nam bao lau na?
Ong Viet Nam bao lau?
In brief, an interpreter, in a short time, must catch the content of the
original message and transfer it into the target language by using
grammatical equivalents.

2. Semantic Analysis
The interpreter must quickly predict the denotation meaning.
E.g. To interfere and intervene
Both verbs have the same denotation meaning but different usage.
Nato interferes the former Yugoslavian internal politics.
Nato xen vao not bo chnh tr cua Nam T ( disagree)

 The Red Cross intervenes into the recent earthquake in Turkey.

Hoi Ch Thap o ra tay can thiep vao vu ong at mi
ay Tho Nh Ky
III. TRANSFERRING AND RESTRUCTURING
In interpretation, these two steps combine and make one. Though the
original message may be complex, you should simplify it as much as
possible and use familiar words and simple structures.

Task 2: Listen to the teacher reading a passage then

interpret.

REFERENCE BOOKS
1. Chamberlin.D. 1975. Advanced English For Translation. Cambridge
University Press.
2. Duff. A. 1998. Translation. Oxford University Press.
3. ang Th Hng. 1995. Vietnamese English Translation. HCM
University Publishing House.
4. Fuller.F. 1984. The Translators Handbook. The Pennsylvania State
University Press.

5. Newmark.P. 1988. A Textbook of Translation. Prentice Hall International.

6. Nida,E.A. 1975. Language Structure and Translation. Standard University
Press.
7. Tran Hoang Dung. 2001. Tuc Ng-Thanh Ng Anh-Viet & Viet Anh.
NXB Van Hoa-Thong Tin. Ha Noi
8. Widdowson,H.G.1978. Teaching Language as Communication. Oxford
University Press.

Theory of Translation- Revision

Answer the following questions
1. What is translation?
2. What is the source language?
3. What is the receptor language?
4. What three essential qualities does translation develop in language
learning?
5. What are the differences between Semantic Approach and
Communicative Approach? Give one example.
6. What are the two main kinds of translation? What are their differences?

7. Give at least 4 different grammatical features between English and

Vietnamese.
8. Point out the equivalent factors in translation.
9. In which case shouldnt we translate some words or phrases into the
receptor language?
10. In which case should we interpret the meaning of some words or
phrases in parenthesis?
11. What is the difference of the word order between English and
Vietnamese? Give an example.
12. How can we apply Replacement technique when we translate an
English sentence into Vietnamese?
13. In which case should we add or omit words / phrases / ideas in our
translation?
14. How many kinds of meaning are there? Give an example.
15. Form is very important in any language. Give one example that can be
expressed in at least three different structures but the meaning is the
same.
16. Why must we pay attention to register of a text in translation?
17. What is the influence of the source language on the receptor language?
18. What ways of translating idioms are there?
19. What are the scales of formality?
20. What are the steps for written translation?
21. What are the steps for oral translation?

Dalat University
Department of Foreign Languages

Final Examination on the Theory of Translation

Bien Hoa In-service English class
Duration: 90 minutes
Students
name________________________Number_____________________
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------I. Choose the phrase or sentence that best completes each
unfinished sentence below.
1. In order to make the translation natural, a translator can replace______________.
a. the meaning
b. grammatical structures or function
c. parts of speech
d. approach
2. One of the following techniques should not be applied in translation.
a. replacement
b. addition c. omission
d. change of meaning
3. In translating legal documents, the _______________in the translation should
match the original as closely as possible.
a. ordering of words and ideas
b. ordering of words
c. grammatical structures
d. forms
4. One of the source language influences that make the translation not sound
natural is the translators ________.
a. approach of translation
b. choice of strongly-moulded words by the
original text
c. ways of translation
d. understanding of the text
5. The level of naturalness of natural usage is_________________________.
a. grammatical
b. lexical
c. grammatical and lexical
6. When translating idiomatic expressions, a translator may try ________________.
a. to force them into the translation
b. not to use a close
equivalent
c. retain the expression with a literal explanation in brackets.
d. not to use a non-idiomatic or plain prose translation
7. When analysing sentences, a translator should compare semantic features in
order to make the____________suitable in the target language.
a. grammar
b. structures
c. forms
d. meaning
8. Retaining the original word in converted commas is one of the ways of
translating
a. an article
b. a phrase
c. an idiom
d. a text
9. The scale of formality of the sentence Please keep off the grass. is _________.
a. slang
b. formal
c. informal
d. coloquial
10. Differences in language structure between Vietnamese and English often
require changes in the ____.

a. form
words

b. order of words

c. meaning

d. form and order of

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------11. When the original sentence is too random or arbitrary, a translator

___________.
a. must keep it precisely and translate word by word
b. may omit some words and the main idea.
c. may omit some words or ideas, but keep the main idea precisely.
d. must rewrite the sentence.
12. Forms are referred to as the___________________of a language.
a. meaning
b. surface structure
c. semantics
d. function
13. Translation consists of transferring the____________of the source language into
the receptor language.
a. structure
b. grammar
c. meaning
d. function
14. According to Semantic Approach of translation, a translator
should____________.
a. interpret as much as he can
b. respect the original language
c. omit some ideas
d. add some ideas
15. According to Communicative Approach of translation, a translator
should_______.
a. translate word by word
b. add as many ideas as he can
c. translate accurately.
d. base the translation on the way of expressing of the target language.
16. Idiomatic translations use the natural forms of the______________________.
a. receptor language
b. source language
17. Form-based translations attempt to follow the form of the ________________.
a. receptor language
b. source language.
18. Grammatical constructions vary between the source language and the
receptor language, so a translator should translate the__________________.
a. meaning.
b. forms
c. forms and not concern with the meaning.
d. meaning and not concern with whether the forms are the same or not.
19. Transposition is the way of changing the__________of the language
components.
a. order
b. forms
c. grammar
d. meaning
20. Meaning is very important, so a translator should___________________.
a. only find the exact equivalent in the two languages.

b. only find similar meaings.

c. find both the exact equivalent and similar meanings, depending on the text.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------II. Answer the following questions

1. The Vietnamese language and the English language have quite a lot of
differences. Point out at least 4 differences and give each one an example to
illustrate.

______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
2. What are the three main kinds of meaning? Give one example (either in
Vietnamese or in English) in which the three kinds of meaning are expressed.
Explain.

______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
III. Replace the underlined verbs with The FORMAL ONES, then translate
the passage into Vietnamese.
Having talked over the problem with his colleagues, my client got in touch with
the City Council with a view to put in a complaint. The switchboard put him
through to the Social Services Department, where a woman promised to check
out the matter the following week. The woman never turned up. Another time was
fixed up, but again the woman failed to appear. In fact, this initial visit was
continually put off until six months later, when a council officer finally showed up.
After a brief inspection, the officer said he would pass the case to the
Environmental Health Department

______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Unit One: What is Translation and Why

Translation?
When doing a translation, we pay attention to:
-Content of the text
-Register of the text
-Form

-Writers intention
-Meaning
-Text style

Analyze the form of the following and then translate

them into the target language.
1. The Vietnam War left deep wounds in the hearts
of many Americans.
2. They are endowed with reason and conscience and
they should act towards one another in a spirit of
brotherhood.
3. Ha Noi la trung tam chnh tr,
kinh te, van hoa va ngoai giao
cua nc Cong hoa Xa hoi Chu
ngha Viet Nam.
4. i bo t ay en x nghiep
phai mat t nhat hai mi phut.

UNIT ONE: WHAT IS TRANSLATION

AND WHY TRANSLATION?
Definition
In general, translation is a process of rendering or
transferring the meaning of one language into
another , but preserving semantic and stylistic
equivalent.
Stylistic Equivalent
Language -1
Informal
Formal

Language- 2
Informal
Formal

Source Language
Receptor (Target) Language
(The language translated)
(The language
translated into)
Form
Surface Structure
Words / Phrases
Clauses / Sentences
Paragraphs / Passages
Purposes of Translation
1. A Technique of L L
2. A means of
Communication

Helping learners develop three qualities

Helping
learners convey
Accuracy-Clarity-Flexibility
information
written in notices,
reports, documents,
papers, articles
3. A transmitter of culture
4. A Source of
Personal Pleasure
Helping learners understand
Helping learners
get pleasure
Different peoples culture,
through translation
activities.
Traditions and customs through
Texts, articlesused for translation

Unit two: APPROACHES AND KINDS

OF TRANSLATION
Questions for Reading
1. What are the two approaches of
translation?

2. What types of texts are they applied

for?
3. What are their principles?
4. Can we apply one approach for a
text? Why / Why not?
5. What are the two kinds of
translation?
6. What are the differences between
them?
7. How are languages different from
grammatical and lexical features?
8. What are the four kinds of
equivalence?

I. Approaches
1. Semantic Approach
-Respect the original language
-Accuracy: ideas, content, register,
-Follow the rules: without omission,
addition or interpretation.
-Meaning: accurate and sufficient
Used for translating texts on
science, laws, technology, economic
contracts
2. Communicative Approach
-Respect the T / R language

-Translate Communicatively
-Use ways of expressing of the T/R L
Used for translating texts on
culture, prose, poetry, journalism
3. Suggestion: Apply both
approaches in your translation
flexibly.
II. Kinds of Translation
Form-based
Meaning-based
(Literal translation)
(Idiomatic
translation)
Follow the form of
Communicate the
the SL.
meaning and
follow
the form of RL
Note: Translations are often a
mixture of a literal transfer of the
grammatical units along with some
idiomatic translation of the meaning
of the text.

* Grammatical Features of SL and

RL
- Parts of speech
Different languages
different
classes and subclasses of lexicon:
nouns, verbs, adjectives, articles,
adverbs, conjunctions
- Prefixes and suffixes
- Word order
- Tenses
* Lexical Features of SL and RL
Different languages have different
idiomatic ways of expressing
meaning through lexical items
( words, phrases)
* Equivalence between SL and RL:
-

Linguistic Equivalence
Paradigmatic Equivalence
Stylistic/ Functional Equivalence
Textual / Syntagmatic Equivalence

Tasks

A. Analyze the Following, Point out All

the
Grammatical Features and Compare
with the Vietnamese.
1. The friendly governments offer their
aid unconditionally.
2. The general standard of living has
not fallen, lavish spending provides an
appearance of prosperity.
3. I hate lying and cheating.
4. Dancing waves glittered in the
sunlight.
5. I wouldnt have believed it if I had
not seen it with my own eyes.
B. Analyze the sentences and point out
whether they have different kinds of
equivalence in Vietnamese or not?
1. She put her money into the bank.
2. Science is immense.
3. Like father like son.
4. The child was having a bath.
5. He passed her the key.
6. She cooked the book and did time in
prison.
Unit three: WAYS OF TRANSLATION

Translate the following sentences into

English.
1. Phu n Viet Nam thng mac
ao dai trong cac dp quan trong.
2. Niu Di lan la ni sinh song cua
loai chim ki vi.
3. Trong gi giai lao cong nhan
noi chuyen vui ve.
4. Nha Trang c cong nhan la
mot trong 29 vnh ep nhat the
gii.
5. Cong ty nay hoat ong kinh
doanh c bao lau roi?
6. Nha Trang a va ang chuyen
mnh trong thi m ca.
7. Roi, ti nha chi.
8. au toi au nh bua bo.
Questions
1. What are the ways of translation?
Explain!
2. Read the ways of translation and
point out which way you applied for
each sentence. Explain.
3. What ways are commonly applied in
E-V and
V-E translation?

Eight Main Ways Applied in Translation

1. Transference
Borrow words from the SL.
2. Naturalization
Retain the transcription of the names.
3. Cultural Equivalent
Interpret the meaning in parenthesis
4. Synonyms
Find the exact equivalent
5. Transpositions
Change the order of the language
components
6. Replacement
Replace grammatical structures /
functions / parts of speech
7. Addition
Add some more words or ideas.
8. Omission
Omit some words or ideas in random or
arbitrary sentences

Unit four: PRINCIPLES OF TRANSLATION

A. Explain the meaning of the following
words
1. Book 2. Anger 3. Lazy 4. Waiter
5. Pay
B. Which one has meaning? Why / Why
not?
1. At first sight.
2. Him at first sight
3. She loved him at first sight.
4. She closed.
5. She closed her eyes.
6. The president closed his eyes to the
scandal.
7. She felt happy and she confided to
me death pays all debts.
8. When the cats away, the mice will
play.
C. Translate the following into
Vietnamese.
1. She must be off her head if she
marries him because hes a ruthless
guy.
2. She doesnt like anyone who pulls
her leg, specially when shes getting
angry.

3. In the long run, she got exhausted

after the race.
4. Harold has gone to the dogs since
his wife died. Poor him now! He looks
quiet different.
Question
What are the three kinds of meaning?
Meaning
Explicit
Implicit
Referential Meaning
Organizational Meaning
Situational Meaning
Form
Give 4 translations of the sentence
below.
Kho co the giai quyet c nan
tham nhung.
If necessary, there must be changes in
the form and word order between SL
and RL.
Register (Stylistic Context)

Different kinds of texts or contexts

have different scales of formality.
1.
Officialese
5.
Informal
2.
Official
6.
Coloquial
3. Formal
7. Slang
4. Neutral
8. Taboo

SL Influence
Problems

Solutions

Your thoughts and choice

Read your
translation,
of words are influenced
amend or
correct it as
by the original text,
though
no original
which leads to lack of
existed.
Pay attention
to naturalness
grammatical
usage,
idioms, words,
and

stylistic
context.
Text Style
Four Types of Text
1. Narrative
2.
Description
Emphasis on the verbs,
Emphasis
on linking Vs,
Verb-Ns, phr-verbs
adjectives,
adj-nouns
3. Discussion
4. Dialogue
Emphasis on abstract Ns, Emphasis
on Verbs of thought,
colloquialism
logical arguments
Idioms
1. Similes
2. metaphors
3.
proverbs 4. sayings 5. jargon
6.
slang
7. colloquialisms
Translation Techniques

1. Retain the original word in inverted

commas.
2. Retain the original expression with a
literal explanation in brackets.
3. Use a close equivalent.
4. Use plain prose translation
Translation of Newspaper Headlines
Use:
For headlines about:
1. Present tense Past events
2. Present participle
Events in
progress
3. Past participle
Passive voice
4. To infinitive
Present / Future
events
5. Nouns
6. Verbs +nouns

Unit five: STEPS FOR TRANSLATION

WRITTEN TRANSLATION
A. Analysis
1. Read the text for:
2. Analyze
sentences for:
Understanding
-Identifying the
sentences,
content, writers
clauses,
phrases.
intention, text style,
-Compare the
language
stylistic scale.
structures and
semantic
features of the two
Ls.
- Select words,
phrases,
idioms
Selection of a suitable approach, kinds
and ways
B. Transfer

- After carrying out those above steps,

you transfer the SL text into the RL
text.
- Pay attention to key words, phrases
and syntax.
C. Restructuring
1. Reread the translation to see
whether:
there are repeated words and
phrases.
the sentences are wordy or
arbitrary.
the structures are appropriate.
2. Rewrite the text and reread it one
more time.
Nidas Model of the Translation Process
SOURCE LANGUAGE RECEPTOR
LANGUAGE
TEXT
TRANSLATION
ANALYSIS

RESTRUCTURING

TRANSFER
ORAL TRANSLATION

Requirements for interpreters:

Good skills of listening and speaking
stable knowledge of grammar and
vocabulary of SL & RL
A. Listen and try to remember the
original message
B. Analysis
Grammar Analysis
Analysis

Semantic

C. Transferring and Restructuring

Carry out these two steps quickly at
the same, try to simplify the language
as much as possible.
Translate the following headlines into Vietnamese.
1. MINISTER PROMISES TO ROOT OUT CORRUPTION IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS
2. SHOCK MEDICAL REPORT: STUDENTS CRACKING UP UNDER EXAMINATION
3. FATHER FORCED TO SHELL OUT THOUSANDS TO PAY FOR SONS MOTORING OFFENCES
4. CHILD BLURTS OUT TRUTH ABOUT PARENTS WILD PARTIES
5. TEACHERS SKIRTS ROUND EMBARRASSING ISSUES
6. LEADER OF RACIST MOVEMENT TONES DOWN STATEMENT AFTER MASS PROTESTS
7. HOUSEWIFE GAMBLES AWAY ALL THE HOUSEKEEPING MONEY AT THE CASINO
8. POLICE SURROUND PRISON AS DANGEROUS CRIMINALS TRY TO BREAK OUT
9. AFTER FIFTEEN YEARS, HUSBAND FINALLY TUMBLES TO WIFES LOVER
10. OFFICIALS CRITICISED FOR SWANNING ABOUT IN EXPENSIVE CARS AT TAXPAYERS EXPENSE
11.WHOLE TRIBES WIRED OUT BY INFLUENZA EPIDEMI

Millions of mice are launching a large

scale raid on the rice fields throughout
the South, the Central and the North of
Vietnam,
gnawing
thousands
of
hectares of rice. Though there are no

sufficient statistical data, only some

estimates until before 1997, they have
eaten up about 45,000 hectares of rice,
equivalent to $ 6,000,000.

1. Borrowing from the SL

Ao dai Kimono Sa ke
Buyt
Tac xi
2. Naturalization: Write the English
words
Thien an mon
Ma Lai
Lao
Cam pu chia
3. Cultural Equivalent: Explain the
meaning
Cha gio
Gio lua
Lua chiem
Bo oi Ru e
Fathers day
Grammar school

5.
Transpositions: Give
more than 5 translations of the
following:
* Kho co the xoa bo c nan
tham nhung mot cach triet e.
6.Replacement: Write the nouns of these verbs and
translate the following sentences, using both the N
and the V.
Conclude Decide Progress
improve
a. Co ay ang co nhieu tien bo
trong hoc tap.
b. Anh ay quyet nh ngh viec
mot nam.
c. Ho a ket luan van e o
mot cach voi va.
d. Chnh phu a va ang cai thien
ieu kien lam viec mot cach ro
ret.
In recent years the number of foreign
students in Vietnam has increased
rapidly. They have found home in
Vietnam to study and do research.
Some of them have lengthened their
stay and others have established their
own families after years of staying and

working here. During their stay and

study in Vietnam, they are looked after
considerately. Such universities as
Hanoi University, University of HCM
City, University of Agriculture and
Forestry, and a large number of other
universities
have
arranged
their
accommodation according to previous
agreements.
Every
year
Vietnam
accepts hundreds of foreign students
for higher education and some of them
have been awarded Ph.D. degrees after
years of study under the Vietnamese
professors supervision.

Read the passage below. Replace the underlined verbs with formal
verbs.
Having talked over the problem with his colleagues, my client got in touch with
the City Council with a view to put in a complaint. The switchboard put him
through to the Social Services Department, where a woman promised to check
out the matter the following week. The woman never turned up. Another time was
fixed up, but again the woman failed to appear. In fact, this initial visit was
continually put off until six months later, when a council officer finally showed up.
After a brief inspection, the officer said he would pass the case to the
Environmental Health Department

Which word in each pair is formal?

Subsequently/after
that,
now/at
present,
by
contrast/but,
nevertheless/however, Nonetheless/then again, furthermore/in addition, in
the first place/firstly, moreover/ besides, with reference to/talking about, as
a result/consequently, so/therefore, accordingly/hence, conversely/ and yet.