Lesson two: translation types
I- Translation Types according to Code: Russian linguist Roman Jacobson who
was one of the most influential intellectuals of the 20th century with his contributions
to linguistics, distinguishes three ways of interpreting a verbal sign in his essay “On
Linzfbguistic Aspects of Translation” (1959): it may be translated into other signs of the
same language, into another language, or into another code that is nonverbal system of
symbols. These three types are succinctly put as follows:
1. Intralingual translation or rewording: It is an interpretation of verbal signs by
means of other signs of the same language, or put meaning in different words. This
type is exemplified by synonyms in the same linguistic code or language, paraphrase
or replacing an idiom, summarizing, expanding or commenting within a language.
Examples: lift – elevator / tube – subway / pass away- die.
A children version of an encyclopedia, the interpreted version of the holy Coran, etc
Some translation scholars simply do not consider intralingual translation
relevant for translators, and they even argue that intralingual translation should
not be part of the definition of translation. Consequently, many translation
scholars only pay attention to interlingual translation.
2. Interlingual translation or translation proper: It is an interpretation of verbal
signs by means of some other language. This type is seen in replacing certain code-
units in SL by equivalent code-units in TL, from Arabic to English, from Spanish to
Japanese, and so on.
Example: Imagine you have to translate the word “yes” into French, German and
Italian: French: oui, si German: ja Italian: sì It is immediately obvious that in
French we have a problem; there are two translations for yes. In French si is used only
in cases of contradiction or dissent, so the translator must be careful.
Example: In the case of “hello”, the situation is similar. English does not distinguish
between face-to-face greetings or phone greetings, whereas some other languages
explicitly make this distinction. In Italian ciao means “hello there”, but when they
answer a phone call, they say Mushi Mushi.
Moreover, sometimes polysemy can also cause some difficulties for translators;
a polysemic word is a word that has more than one meaning. For instance, the
word “table” (as a noun) has these meanings:
a. A piece of furniture that consists of a flat top supported by legs
b. The people sitting at a table for a meal or to play cards, etc.
c. A list of facts or numbers arranged in a special order, usually in rows (table of
contents)
d. A list of sport teams, countries, schools,... that shows their position in a
competition, etc.
Hence, while translating the word “table”, the translator should pay attention to
the context and determine which of these meanings is used in the source
language.
3. Intersemiotic translation or transmutation: It is an interpretation of verbal signs
by means of signs of nonverbal system. This one refers to the use of signs or signals
for the purpose of communication.
Example: traffic signals into language signs, a novel to a film.
Obviously, this type lies within Jakobson’s framework in which translation is
perceived as the conversion of a sign into another alternative or equivalent sign,
be it verbal or nonverbal.
II- Translation Types according to Mode: Written vs. Oral: Translating/Interpreting:
1- Translation is rendering a text from a source language into a target language while
preserving meaning; Translation is written.
While linguistic and cultural skills are critical, the most important quality a
good translator must have is the ability to write well in the target language.
Skilled translators must have the ability to understand the source language and
the culture of the country where the text originated, then using a good library of
dictionaries and reference materials, to render that material clearly and
accurately into the target language.
Even bilingual individuals can rarely express themselves in a given subject
equally well in both languages and a good translator will only translate
documents into his or her native language.
2- Interpretation: is an oral form of translation, enabling real-time cross-linguistic
communication either face-to-face, in a conference setting or over the phone. This is
the process where a person repeats what is said out loud in a different language.
Interpreting, just like translation, is basically paraphrasing; the interpreter
listens to a speaker in one language, grasps the content of what is being said,
and then paraphrases his or her understanding of the meaning using the tools of
the target language.
An interpreter must be able to translate in both directions on the spot without
using dictionaries or other reference materials.
Interpreters must have extraordinary listening abilities. In addition, interpreters
must possess excellent public speaking skills, and the intellectual capacity to
instantly transform idioms, colloquialisms and other culturally-specific
references into analogous statements the target audience will understand.
2-1-Types of interpretation:
Consecutive Interpreting.
Simultaneous Interpreting.
Whisper Interpreting.
Sight interpretation.
