Historical Background and Development of Translation in the World and in the
Philippines
Translation in the Western World
For centuries, people believed in the relation between translation and the story of the tower of Babel
in the Book of Genesis. Number of languages increased through diversion, and people started to look for ways
to communicate, hence the birth of translation (Abdessalam Benabdelali, 2006).
Researchers mention that writings on translation go back to the Romans. Eric Jacobson claims that
translating is a Roman invention (see McGuire: 1980) (2). Cicero and Horace (first century BC) were the first
theorists who distinguished between word-for-word translation and sense-for-sense translation. Their
comments on translation practice influenced the following generations of translation up to the twentieth
century.
Another period that knew a changing step in translation development was marked by St Jerome (fourth
century CE). "His approach to translating the Greek Septuagint Bible into Latin would affect later translations of
the scriptures." (Munday, 2001).
16
th
Century - "translation came to be used as a weapon in both dogmatic and political conflicts as nation states
began to emerge and the centralization of the Church started to weaken evidence in linguistic terms by the
decline of Latin as a universal language." (McGuire, 1980).
15
th
Century - developed the field of translation and helped in the appearance of early theorists. For instance,
Etienne Dolet (1915-46), whose heretic mistranslation of one of Plato's dialogues, the phrase "rien du tout"
(nothing at all) that showed his disbelief in immortality, led to his execution.
17
th
Century - birth of many influential theorists such as Sir John Denhom (1615-69), Abraham Cowley (1618-
67), John Dryden (1631-1700), who was famous for his distinction between three types of translation;
metaphrase, paraphrase and imitation, and Alexander Pope (1688-1744).
18
th
Century - the translator was compared to an artist with a moral duty both to the work of the original author
and to the receiver. Moreover, with the enhancement of new theories and volumes on translation process, the
study of translation started to be systematic; Alexander Frayer Tayler's volume Principles of Translation (1791)
is a case in point.
19
th
Century - was characterized by two conflicting tendencies; the first considered translation as a category of
thought and saw the translator as a creative genius, who enriches the literature and language into which he is
translating, while the second saw him through the mechanical function of making a text or an author known
(McGuire).
2
nd
half of 20
th
Century - studies on translation became an important course in language teaching and learning
at schools. What adds to its value is the creation of a variety of methods and models of translation.
The cultural model - cultural understanding of the way people in different societies think (Mehrach,
1977).
Text-based translation model - which focuses on texts rather than words or sentences in translation
process.
Translation in the Arab World
The early translations used in Arabic are dated back to the time of Syrians (the first half of the second century
AD), who translated into Arabic a large heritage that belongs to the era of paganism (Bloomshark 1921: 10-12,
qtd by Addidaoui, 2000) (7).
Syrians were influenced in their translations by the Greek ways of translation. Syrian's translations were more
literal and faithful to the original (Ayad 1993: 168, qtd by Addidaoui, 2000) (8).
Another era that knew significant changes in Arabic translation was related to the translation of the Holy Koran.
Core of the conflicts that existed and still exist in the translation of Koran:
- whether to use the translation as a way to teach the principles of Islam
- or to use it in praying and legislation
Another era that knows important developments in the Arab translation is that of 'the first Abbasid period' (750-
1250).
The Arab history of translation is also characterized by the name of Al-Jahid (868-577), one of the greatest
theorists in translation. According to Al-Jahid (1969), "the translator should know the structure of the speech,
habits of the people and their ways of understanding each other."
Egyptian scholar Mona Baker (1997) (13) distinguished between two famous methods in Arab translation;
- literal translation by Yohana Ibn Al- Batriq and Ibn Naima Al-Himsi
- sense-for-sense translation by Hunayn Ibn Ishaq Al-Jawahiri
Translation in the Philippines
Translation in the Philippines started as part of a religious undertaking. The Spanish missionaries used
translation as a tool to spread Christianity among the natives, thus fulfilling a utilitarian role: to conquer mind
and body.
1593 - The first printed book in the Philippines, the Doctrina Christiana.
1627 - The first dictionary, Vocabulario de la lengua tagala by Fray Pedro de San Buenaventura came out.
It should be noted that the source language was not always Spanish. There were also what is called relay
translation, where Spanish was an intervening language of a text that was originally written in other
languages. The translation language (or target language) was not only Tagalog, either.
18th century - From Europe came the narrative poetry and the metrical romance which became popularly
known as awit and korido. The theatrical presentations komedya and moro-moro became very popular. They
were believed to be either translation or adaptations of comedia de capa y espada. The translators were
"Indios" in the employ of Spanish friars, and in the translation, they would add their own interpretations, thus
giving indigenous touch to the translated texts.
19th century - translation had a new use, no longer to conquer, but to inspire the spirit of nationalism and
thus to liberate.
With the coming of the Americans - introduction of English as medium of instruction and as intervening
language in the translation into Filipino of various materials from French, German, Japanese, and other
languages.
the direction of translation is now from English into Tagalog/Filipino and other Philippine languages.
a tool for liberating the masses from ignorance.
a necessary tool in the production of textbooks and reference materials in the language
understandable to the greater number of the people.
Two existing professional organizations of translators:
Pambansang Samahan sa Pagsasalingwika
Pambansang Unyon ng mga Tagasalin.
Janice L. Gutierrez Mrs. Estrella Fajardo
BSED IV Translation and Editing of Text
Reference(s):
http://www.ncca.gov.ph/about-culture-and-arts/articles-on-c-n-a/article.php?i=92
http://www.translationdirectory.com/articles/articl.e1695.php
