 Differences between translation and other text-

processing activities that proceed from a source to

a derived text (summarizing, explaining) or
creative writing : reconcile differences in linguistic
code, cultural values, the world and how it is
perceived, style and aesthetics, etc.
 Preconditions for a text to be classified as
translation proper

 Between the resultant text in L2 (the TL text) and

the ST in L1 (the SL text) there exist a relationship
which can be designated as a translational, or
equivalence, relation (Koller, 1995).

*translational = strictly pertaining to translation as

opposed to, say, original writing
langue-oriented vs parole-oriented
equivalence (Koller)
 langue-oriented
: formal similarity at the level of virtual language
systems (langue)

 parole-oriented
: equivalence relations obtaining between texts in
real time at the actual level of parole
: real object of enquiry in Translation Studies
 Equivalence relations: double linkage

 to the ST: potentially conflicting SL/TL linguistic

textual and extra-textual factors

 to the communicative conditions on the receiver’s

side: the role of the historical-cultural conditions
under which texts and their translations are
produced and received
Frameworks of equivalence
 Frames of reference are hierarchical: each type of
equivalence (and the level of language at which
translation equivalence is achieved) tends to
subsume (i.e. retain and add to) features of the
preceding level.

Example: quote by photographer Helmut Newton

I had wanted for years to get Mrs Thatcher in front
of my camera. As she got more powerful she got
sort of sexier. (Newsweek 21 May 2001)
1. formal equivalence, where a SL form is strictly
replaced by an identical TL form.
e.g. sexier 더 섹시한

2. referential or denotative equivalence, where a SL form

is replaced by a TL form that basically refers to the
same ‘thing’.
e.g. sexier 더 도발적인, 더 요염한
: a denotative rendering may convey something like
‘pornographic’ if used on its own or trigger different
associations in the minds of speakers of the two
languages.
3. connotative equivalence = similarity of association
.e.g. a TT element which links sexy with
‘attractiveness’ (끌어당기는 힘)
The semantic element ‘attractiveness’ can
convey associations with the physical term
‘gravity’ that are too ‘direct’ and ‘scientific’ for
this context.
4. text-normative equivalence, where a TL fits
textual norms, i.e. conventions which go beyond
connotations, and which enable us to work with
the kind of language that is typical of a certain
kind of text, a mood of writing, a certain attitude,
etc.
: need to bear in mind the communicative purpose
of the ST and the use for which the TT is intended
When the communicative purpose of TT is the
incongruity emanating from the association of ‘iron
lady’ with ‘sexy’

i) jettison ‘sexual’ and modify ‘sexual attractiveness’

in favour of something like ‘attractive femininity’,

ii) gloss the translation with something like ‘so to

speak’ which in a way also captures the ST sort of
intended by the speaker as an apology for being too
explicit with use of language, akin to saying ‘for
want of a better word’.
5. pragmatic or dynamic equivalence, which achieves
similarity of effect and caters for reader
expectations
 Decision making : Hierarchical and iterative

: one progresses through the text, one can come

back again and again to decisions already taken,
reviewing and altering them
What motivates translator decision-making?
1. Aesthetics: translator’s own aesthetic standards
e.g.
ST: For the United Nations, there is no higher goal, no
deeper commitment and no greater ambition than
preventing armed conflict. The main short- and medium-
term strategies for preventing non-violent conflicts from
escalating into war, and preventing earlier wars from
erupting again, are preventive diplomacy, preventive
deployment and preventive disarmament.

TT: for the UN, preventing the eruption of armed conflicts

represents a goal not possible to surpass by any other goal, a
commitment not possible to sideline by any other
commitment and an ambition not possible to overshadow
by any other ambition…
2. Cognition and knowledge: translator’s own socio-
cognitive system (the translator’s culture and
system of values, beliefs)
ST
Mismanaged Algeria
[…] These strengths are being wasted. Some 180,000 well-schooled
Algerians enter the job market every year. Yet a hobbled economy
adds only 100,000 new jobs a year, and some 45% of these involve
working for the government.
*Working for the government = abysmal

TT
… and although 45% of those who do find jobs actually end up
working for the government, this is still an abysmal record.

totally different picture and milder tone

3. Commission

: the task specification agreed with clients = > the

purpose of the translation
4. Textual pragmatics

: Most concrete set of criteria for effective decision-

making → text type
: Robert de Beaugrande sees equivalence relations in
terms of the translation generally being ‘a valid
representative of the original in the communicative act
in question’.
: Decision-making is partly subjected to system criteria
such as grammar and diction, partly to contextual
factors surrounding the use of language in a given text
e.g.
Newsweek: It is a bid [sic] odd, isn’t it, that a journalist
who was held captive by the Taliban would, several
months later, be converting to Islam?
Ridley: I know, you couldn’t make it up. It is strange.

▪☞ Isn’t it = surely
= I am sure you will agree.

▪☞ you couldn’t make it up

= Even if you wanted to, you couldn’t make it up.