Writing Skills

UNIT 4 TRANSLATION
Structure
4.0 Introduction
4.1 Learning Outcomes
4.2 Translation: Need, Importance and Scope
4.3 Types of Translation
4.4 Process of Translation
4.4.1 Analysis
4.4.2 Transfer
4.4.3 Restructuring.

4.5 Literary Translation

4.6 Principles of Translation for Media
4.6.1 Print Media
4.6.2 Electronic Media
4.6.3 Films and TV Shows

4.7 Strategies of Translation for Media

4.8 Let Us Sum Up
4.9 Further Readings
4.10 Key Words
4.11 Check Your Progress: Possible Answers

4.0 INTRODUCTION
There is a notion in the general public that translation means replacing words
in one language with the words in another language. But is it really so simple?
Had it been so, then a bilingual dictionary would have solved the problem quite
easily. In reality, translation is a linguistic process which covers a very wide
area therefore it is very challenging and a complex task. The theory and the
praxis are two different things having their own limitations.
In a country like India, translation not only plays an important role in bridging
the gap between the various cultures but also unites the entire nation. In the
present century, when the world is moving towards a ‘global village,’ the
significance and the importance of translation has become all the more relevant.
In this unit, we shall discuss various aspects related to translation including, the
types, forms and process of translation. We shall also explain the nature of
literary translation and describe the principles and strategies of translation for
media.

4.1 LEARNING OUTCOMES

After reading this unit you should be able to:
discuss the need, importance and scope of translation;
48 describe various types and forms of translation;
explain literary and journalistic translation; and Translation

outline the principles and strategies of translation for media.

4.2 TRANSLATION: NEED, IMPORTANCE AND

SCOPE
Translation has been derived from the Latin word Translation which consists
of two words Trans and Latum meaning “a carrying across” or “a bringing
across”. In other words, it means carrying across the message between languages
from one text to another i.e. the source language (SL) to the target language
(TL). The source and the translated text are the same in terms of the sense
they convey. The translated text may have formal equivalence when the two
texts look alike in form whereas it may have functional equivalence when
the two texts perform the same function though they have formal differences.
Translation is considered essential for the growth of national as well as local
literature and culture by bringing the great wealth of literatures and cultures from
foreign lands. When we translate the great masters of world literature like Tolstoy,
Gorki, Kafka, Ibsen, Neruda, Shakespeare, Tagore, Kalidasa, and numerous
others; we not only enrich our own knowledge base, but also raise the standards
of our regional languages. Thus, translation leads to enrichment of one’s own
language as the idioms and usage of the source language with the passage of
time becomes a part of the target language through translations.
Revival of learning is also one of the reasons behind translation so that people
know and understand some important text written in other languages across
the world; translated to their respective languages. Translation was done in the
past to study Rhetoric and Oratory. In the modern context, translation is done
in order to understand and appreciate the cultures different from one’s own.
It allows different cultures to connect, interact and enrich one another.
Translation is the window through which we know and understand the world
culture. The vast repertoire of information can be acquired and disseminated.
It is through translation that people on the margins, disadvantaged, weaker
sections; the dominant and the subjugated communicate with one another and
make their thoughts, ideas and voices heard. Translation comes to them as a
tool for empowerment. Translation also helps to showcase the colonisers one’s
rich cultural heritage and fight colonial prejudices.
The discipline of translation is an upcoming area for job seekers because in
the globalised world, translators are in great demand. The opportunities are
endless in this field provided one has the quality and competence to deliver
good work in time. It is expected to be a big booming industry in near future.
With the advent of globalisation, there is an increasing demand for translators
in sectors like reputed publishing houses, electronic as well as print media,
diplomatic services, Sahitya Akademi, tourism and hospitality sector. Job
prospects for translation vary from desk top translators to secretarial, executive
and public relation assignments. One can work in the translation bureaus, research
organisations and international organisations, BPOs and MNC as a freelancer.
One can also work in NGO, Universities and training centers, educational
institutions as a regular employee. The salary may vary with one’s experience,
knowledge, understanding and expertise in the field.
49
Writing Skills
4.3 TYPES OF TRANSLATION
Over a period of time, the meaning of translation has undergone a drastic change
from ‘word-to-word’ to ‘sense-for-sense’; from ‘literal’ and ‘faithful’ to ‘creative’
and ‘free’, as discussed below:

Word-for-word - In this type of translation one to one equivalent of Source

Language (SL) is given in the Target Language (TL).

Sense-for-Sense - In this type of translation words in the Target Language

(TL) must accurately convey the sense of the Source Text (ST)

Literal/ Faithful - This may start from a word for word translation but make
changes in the text according to the grammar of the Target Language (TL).

Creative/ Free – Free translation aims to convey all the meanings but is not
constrained by the form of the Source Text (ST) at all. It has to stylistically
reproduce the meaning and intent of the original text. It tries to evaluate the
potential meaning of the Source Text in the Target Language text (TL).

Full Translation - The entire text in Source Language (SL) is replaced in Target
Language (TL).

Partial Translation – In partial translation, some part/s of the Source Language

(SL) are left un-translated; they are transferred to and used as it is in the Target
Language (TL).

Adaptation - Adaptation means ‘an acknowledged transposition’. It also implies

a process of alteration and adjustments that exists in the original. An adapted
text is generally much closer to the original source text.

Appropriation - On the other hand, an Appropriation of a certain text,

in comparison with adaptation, frequently travels a greater distance away
from its source. In appropriation, inter-textual relationship may be more
embedded.

Trans-creation – It is the process of adapting a message from one language

to another while maintaining its content, style and tone.

Transliteration - It is the process in which alphabets/words of one language

are transferred into the corresponding similar sounding character of another
alphabets/ words. It helps people across the world to pronounce the words/
names in the foreign language correctly.

A good translation is not merely word-for-word or sentence-to-sentence

translation but an interpretation of the original text. For those, who do not know
the source language, it is a creative work although a difficult one. An ideal
translator should not look for mere facts in the literary texts to be translated
without loss of sense but should articulate the meaning in such a way so that
the impression of the original text is aroused in the readers. S/he can read into
the original meanings that are part of the sensibility and the culture. Today, the
notion of the original text being sacrosanct and the translated text being inferior
doesn’t hold much water.
50
Check Your Progress 1 Translation

Note: 1) Use the space below for your answer.

2) Compare your answers with those given at the end of this Unit.
1. What is the meaning of translation?
............................................................................................................
............................................................................................................
............................................................................................................
............................................................................................................
2. What are the job opportunities available for the people in the field of
translation?
............................................................................................................
............................................................................................................
............................................................................................................
............................................................................................................
3. How is creative translation different from the literal translation?
............................................................................................................
............................................................................................................
............................................................................................................
............................................................................................................

4.4 PROCESS OF TRANSLATION

There is not a single translation theory which can be universally applied for
every kind of translation as each language has its own strengths and weaknesses.
Thus what is expressed in one language may not be expressed in another in
an exact way. Similarly, every text is a different text and translator might face
problems in translating it which again would vary from one piece to another.
The process of translation can be seen and achieved in three different phases-
Analysis
Transfer
Restructuring
In the first phase, the translator reads and interprets the source text (ST). Thus
s/he is the reader and a decoder of the original text. This is followed by a
second phase where s/he tries to find out the most appropriate word for the
text and also arrange them carefully for the similar expression in the target
language (TL). And finally in the third phase s/he restructures the source text
into the target text. Readers are very important in the entire creative process
of writing/ translation. Therefore, the language of the writer and that of a translator
is determined primarily by the readers. 51
Writing Skills 4.4.1 Analysis
Analysis is the process that involves examining of the SL text in order to arrive
at the message coded in it. While analysing a text one goes through at least
four kinds of meaning- grammatical, referential, connotative and socio-cultural.
Grammatical Meaning refers to the meaning of a linguistic structure emphasising
the relationship between different units of a language. A sentence can be
ambiguous and it may be intentional on the part of the writer. In such a case,
the onus is on the translator to reproduce it correctly.
Referential Meaning refers to the relationship between language and the
entities which are external to the language. In order to comprehend the text
correctly one has to know the dictionary meaning. There can be multiple meanings
attached to a sentence and a translator has to interpret the referential meaning
of the ambiguous words/ sentences.
Connotative Meaning refers to the secondary meaning/ expression of the word.
It is different from the Referential meaning.
Socio-cultural Meaning emphasises the relationship between language and
socio-cultural assumptions, which lie behind any usage of the verbal expression.
The translators’ main focus is on the comprehension of the whole/ part of the
text in all its dimensions.

4.4.2 Transference
Transference means transmission of the message received after decoding the
SL into TL. The most important aspect of it is the ability of the person to
understand the text and articulate the message of SL into TL. Two things should
be kept in mind in order to understand how the process of Transference works-
There is no one-to-one relationship between the grammatical and the lexical
units of two languages i.e. SL and TL.
The grammatical and the lexical structure of each language have its own
particular meaning.
It is because of these characteristics that sometimes translators are unable to
convey the SL meaning in the TL text. Therefore, the communicative value of
the SL text is created in the TL text. It contains the invariant information of
the SL text in the TL text in the following ways:
Creating Communicative Values - It can be best translated when the
communicative values of these expressions are first understood in the SL and
the functional equivalents of their message are set up in the TL. In substituting
the TL meaning for the SL meaning the translator has to determine the temporal
context of the use of the expression.
Preserving the Invariant Information - In the transfer process, the information
component of the message is generally redistributed in the TL. The redistribution
can be:
Complete Redistribution where the Referential Content of the message of
the SL expression is completely redistributed. For Example- Fight like
cats and dogs will be Kuttey Billiyon ki tarah ladnaa in Hindi.
52
Analytical Redistribution where the Referential Content of one lexical unit Translation
of the SL is redistributed over several units of TL. For Example- Jeth
word in Hindi can be translated as Husband’s Elder brother in English.

Synthetical Redistribution where the Referential Content is spread over

several lexical items in the SL is confined to the single item of the TL.
For Example- Chacheri Bahne in Hindi is translated as Cousin Sisters
in English.

4.4.3 Restructuring
Restructuring involves creation of the TL text with a meaning similar to that
of the original text. An exact translation is impossible therefore restructuring is
directed to approximate the SL text.

There are two major types of translations based on three dichotomies - SL

and TL Culture, Grammar and Lexicon and Personalities of writer/ Translator;
they are– Semantic and Communicative translation.

Semantic Translation - Here, the translated text is literal and faithful to the
original text. The element of the original culture is represented as far as possible.

Communicative Translation - The translated text is relatively free and natural.

An attempt is made to produce an effect of the original text, as close as possible.

In order to make restructuring more functional; the intent of the source text
should be respected and the basic design of the original text preserved. The
language and style should also suit the original content.

The Process of translation which has been explained above can be understood
by the flowchart.

SL Text Reading TL Text Reading

Source Text Target Text

Reading Evaluation

Analysis Structuring

Understanding Transfer Verbalisation

Some scholars define translation as an art because all good translations are
expressions of the creative urge of the translators and some call it a science
because of the technical formalities and complexities involved in its process.
Nowadays, translators are using computers to translate the texts but human
beings still play a decisive role in deciding the final output. While translating
images/ metaphors and emotive expressions in literary texts; computers cannot
replace human beings; machine translation can be helpful in the translation of
scientific/ technical literature.
53
Writing Skills
4.5 LITERARY TRANSLATION
If we look at the history of literature in modern languages, we find that the
great literary works were translations. There are two distinct approaches to the
theory of literary translation. Rossetti (1861) believes that the work of a translator
involves self-denial and repression of his own creative impulses. Edward Fitzerald
(1851) was in favour of the use of ‘a little art’ to shape literary effects. Different
views regarding the translation activity arise directly from the efforts at attaining
equivalence between the source and the target language text. Ezra Pound rightly
said that a great age in literature is perhaps always a great age in translations,
or follows it. This is true as far as Indian language literatures are concerned.
Dryden argued that something is always lost in all translations.
The difference between Literature and its translation starts from the stage of
conception. A writer writes because of a deep feeling/ experience that have
moved him/her to express it verbally whereas a translator translates a text in
one’s own language because the original text stimulates him/her or has a deep
affinity for the text. The creative text loses much of its charm when the translator
translates the inner melody and the uniqueness of the vision of the author. The
sound effect that a poem produces is very important and one can see rhythm,
rhyme, meter, alliteration, assonance, repetition, language verities, narrative and
poetic structures, figures of rhetoric in a poetry playing an important role. No
two languages in the world are similar so it is natural that these peculiarities
of a literary writing cannot be reproduced in another language; although the
translator adheres to the meaning in its strict sense. Words with their base, stress,
pattern of sense and their connotations are changed in translation. Some images
are unlikely to have their equivalents in the target language; sometimes the original
words contain something more than their plain meaning which is missing in the
target language.
The translation of metaphors, proverbs, idioms and phrases also pose problems
to translators. Many Indian idioms and proverbs do not have equivalents in
English language. The customs and the conventions in one part of the world
are widely different from those in another. For a culture specific word in the
SL, there may not be any corresponding word in TL. Thus, the element of
culture is often a major challenge for a literary translator.
It has been found that words which relate to Ecology (flora, fauna, geographical
features etc), Material culture (food, clothes, transport, communication etc),
Social culture (custom, tradition, work, ideas etc), Description of non-verbal
communication (Facial expressions, gestures etc) and Proper nouns (names. nick
names etc) are the most difficult and challenging to translate from the SL to
TL. These can be overcome by borrowing the word from the SL, by defining
the term, by substituting the word or literally translating it; or simply by the
methods of omission, addition, transcreation or transliteration. Adaptation/
Appropriation/ Accommodation are inevitable in the practice if the translation
is to maintain the essence, impact and the effect of the text in the source language.
This is particularly true in the context of the translation of the poetry due to
its high emotive and artistic nature. A translator may come across a couple of
words which are untranslatable due to strong cultural roots because the cultural
context is missing in the target language. Here, one must keep in mind that
a particular word may not be translatable, but the language is. All literary
54 translators face almost the same problems whether translating prose or poetry.
Check Your Progress 2 Translation

Note: 1) Use the space below for your answer.

2) Compare your answers with those given at the end of this Unit.
1. What are the three different phases of translation?
............................................................................................................
............................................................................................................
............................................................................................................
2. Why is it difficult to translate the culturally loaded terms?
............................................................................................................
............................................................................................................

............................................................................................................

4.6 PRINCIPLES OF TRANSLATION FOR MEDIA

Writing for any form of media is a challenge for the writer who has to compose
the copy that catches as well as holds the interest of the listeners/ viewers.
It is all the more challenging to translate the matter in such a way that it not
only creates the effect of the original but is appropriate as well. This challenge
is met by the copy writer through various ways especially innovating in terms
of language/dialect, writing and presentation.

A journalist has to write news and features for the media in which s/he is
employed and a translator has to translate it for the target language audience
from the source text. A translator’s work is more challenging because s/he has
to translate the original text in such a way where s/he should retain the interest
of the listeners/ viewers. Journalists use words to inform the readers about various
developments taking place around them. Translators too use language in such
a way that the information and ideas are understood and appreciated by the
target audiences.

There are three principles of translation for media:

Use of short paragraphs

Short sentences

Spoken language

While translating news/ articles from the source text, the translators should break
the text into short paragraphs. Putting too much information into a paragraph
makes it difficult to understand. Each paragraph should have one thought
expressed that can be easily understood by its readers/ viewers. It is easy to
read, understand and is appealing to eyes in its printed form. It helps the readers
visualise the action and feelings. You should always check the paragraph break
so that the subjects requiring lengthy explanations are divided in a proper manner.

A good sentence delivers only one thought. It is important for the electronic
media because the audience will not have the opportunity to hear it again and 55
Writing Skills understand it. Media translators use simple language that allows readers to
understand the writer. Simple and short sentences in conversational language
are preferred while long sentences may confuse the readers. Normally, sentence
fragments are avoided but when used with care it also enhances the readability.
One should not overuse adjectives and adverbs. Use of correct words in a
sentence helps the receiver understand the intension and the precise meaning
of the writer. To achieve brevity, the writer should use as few words as possible
but the meaning of the text should be clear. To achieve clarity, instead of using
synonyms of the word, same words should be used in a sentance/paragraph
to convey the meaning.

4.6.1 Print Media

Newspaper is read by educated as well as the neo-literates, so the language
of translation is such that can be understood by both. Clarity is maintained by
using short sentences and avoiding jargons and literary expressions. The translator
also tries to stick to the original and use lesser words to convey the idea.
Appropriate level of formality is maintained in translation. Long, complex
introductory phrases and crowding a sentence with too much information, is
avoided.

In Print media, there is time to revise the story while in the electronic media
there is no scope because of the ephemeral nature of the medium. In print
media, if a story needs recasting, the same can be done by the journalist in
the office but in the electronic media, when the reporter is giving a story from
a distant place, there is hardly any time for editing and it is aired directly. Similarly,
in print media, if the story is long it can run to the next page, but in electronic
media the story has to be told in brief and has to be cast according to the
visuals, to lend an air of authenticity.

4.6.2 Electronic Media

Electronic media such as radio and television use conversational language which
is simple, informal and easy on ears so that it can be understood by everybody.
While translating for radio, one should use simple and short sentences to create
a picture for the listener. The headlines should hook the attention of the listener,
the first sentence should tell the listener what the news is, and the subsequent
sentence should add other elements to it. Since a broadcaster is telling a story
the language of the translator too, should be simple. There should be one idea
in one sentence and the economy of words has to be maintained in translation
too. Information should be conveyed in the logical order flowing from the lead
sentence in the target language. Every word should have a purpose and
superfluous words thoroughly deleted.

Translation for television programmes is done keeping in mind the time constraints
and the use of visuals that impart a story authenticity and credibility. There is
brevity and simplicity in the news items. The sentences are kept short and crisp
using conversational language but it should not be colloquial.

4.6.3 Translation for Films, Television Shows

Music, cinema and various other art forms transcend global boundaries because
of the way they are effectively translated to reflect the sentiments in the target
56 language. Translated and subtitled films today generate more revenue than ever
for the global film industry, with blockbuster movies looking at various overseas Translation
markets.

Translation for films, television shows and on-line videos etc. is carried out,
not just through the written or spoken words but on multiple semiotic channels,
i.e. via sounds and/or images. The main translation modes in this regard are
Subtitles, Dubbing and Voice-overs.

Subtitles, as you may be aware, are the written translation of the spoken
dialogues on screen, synchronised with the audio. Subtitles are the captions at
the bottom of the programme that keep moving and changing with each scene
so that the audience can read and understand what the characters on the screen
are saying.

Dubbing means translation of foreign language films/ television shows into the
language of the target audience. When the source language (SL) of a programme
is dubbed in the target language (TL), the translation of the original dialogue
is carefully matched to the lip movement of the actors in the film. Dubbing involves
recording the lines again in the target language for the audience to understand.
Thus there is a basic difference between the two- Subtitles are for eyes whereas
Dubbing is for ears.

Good subtitling is an art that requires negotiating and conflicting requirements.

While translating subtitles, one should keep in mind the lip movement of the
actors, exact time taken for dialogue delivery, nature of dialogues and suitable
words in the target language that can justify the original emotions and the
mannerism of the actors on the screen. It should always be kept in mind that
the entire effort would be wasted if the viewer does not immediately grasp what
is being written. This is even more so because the moving picture or other
illustrations are competing with the spoken word for the attention of the viewers.
On the whole, one should aim for subtitles that are faithful to the audiovisuals.

One needs to be able to write clearly and concisely. Writing subtitles is a craft
and this can be acquired through practice and picking up the techniques which
will make it powerful and expressive. Too much information should not be packed
in a sentence which should be kept short and crisp with few words to explain
things. Complex words and long sentences should be avoided for clarity.
Dialogues which are culture specific should be translated carefully for achieving
the desired effect.

While translating the subtitles care should be taken not to tamper with the original
as little as possible. One should not try to polish the incoherent speech, incorrect
grammar, accent of the character in dramas because it is kept for certain effect.
A translator should aim to give viewers a flavour of the accent or dialect by
spelling a few words phonetically and also by including unusual words/ sentence
that can be easily read and understood. Similarly, in humorous sequence, the
punch line should be written separately from the preceding text. Thus you should
preserve the style and use the words that can be easily lip-read.

While translating an advertisement, the words and the visuals should be properly
synchronised. Selection of the language should be done keeping in mind the
literacy level of the target audience so that the idea of the campaign is conveyed
in the target language.
57
Writing Skills Check Your Progress 3
Note: 1) Use the space below for your answer.
2) Compare your answers with those given at the end of this Unit.
1. What is the difference between Dubbing and Subtitling?
............................................................................................................
............................................................................................................
............................................................................................................
............................................................................................................
2. What is the difference between Dubbing and Subtitling?
............................................................................................................
............................................................................................................
............................................................................................................
............................................................................................................
3. What points should be kept in mind while writing subtitles for a film?
............................................................................................................
............................................................................................................
............................................................................................................
............................................................................................................

4.7 STRATEGIES OF TRANSLATION FOR MEDIA

Media persons use words to express themselves, present information and ideas
so that a common reader not only understands but also appreciates and absorbs
the knowledge gained. In this regard, some strategies adopted by media persons
while translating the text for media are-
While translating the material, one needs to take into account the age group,
mental and intellectual maturity and the level of exposure of the audience
into account.
The needs of the target audience should be met, either in terms of suitable
structures/ forms or in terms of the appropriate transfer of meaning from
the source text to the target text. The translation should have an ease of
the original composition.
Familiarity with the socio-cultural context in which a text is set and a flair
for blending it in the target language with ease is required.
Since a translator is also a co-creator therefore s/he should use one’s own
creativity to the fullest extent. A good idea would be to choose and put
words appropriately to produce correct tone and convey the desired
meaning.
Earlier faithfulness to the original text was considered to be one of the
prime aims of translation. However, with multiple cultural-linguistic diversities,
one can take liberty with the original text in terms of adaptations/
58 appropriations to regain the sense and spirit of the original text.
The translator should be familiar with the use of tools like good monolingual Translation
and bilingual dictionaries, encyclopedias, glossaries of technical and standard
works, style guides etc. pertaining to the SL text.
If the media translator knows the art of putting the text in the target language
in an attractive manner with the use of appropriate expressions and
vocabulary, and structures; it makes it more acceptable to the audience
in the target language.
The style chosen for translation for the specific media should not only be
appropriate for the target audience but also sound natural and spontaneous.
Before letting the work go on air/publication, it should be doubly-checked
and suitability of the product for the intended purpose and audience ensured.
An expert in the specific area may be requested to go through the translation
and give suggestions for further improvement.
In addition to these general principles, there are some specific requirements as
well. For example, scientific terms are generally not understood by the common
man, hence should be explained in simple language. Sports writing need special
skills for writing where the technical terms need to be used appropriately. For
Development news writing, one needs to be thorough with data analysis and
interpretation written in a lucid manner. Similarly, care should be taken while
writing a crime story which should neither be sensational nor look like a court
trial. Translating for media requires a great deal of care, and hard work and
can be learnt with patience and regular practice.
Check Your Progress 4
Note: 1) Use the space below for your answer.
2) Compare your answers with those given at the end of this Unit.
1. What are the three principles for effective media writing?
............................................................................................................
............................................................................................................
............................................................................................................
............................................................................................................
2. How audience and the purpose define the quality of translation?
............................................................................................................
............................................................................................................
............................................................................................................
............................................................................................................
3. What are the points to be kept in mind while writing a crime story?
............................................................................................................
............................................................................................................
............................................................................................................
............................................................................................................
............................................................................................................ 59
Writing Skills
4.8 LET US SUM UP
In this unit you were exposed to a very important and emerging area for media
professionals – the art of translation which builds bridges between two languages,
cultures, and customs. In a multi-lingual country like India, translation is required
for various purposes and levels. Translation also helps us to know about the
developments in the field of creative arts, education, literature, business, science
and politics.
Media is tool for communication and translation in media plays an important
role in information dissemination. The principal goals of all journalistic writings
are accuracy, brevity, clarity and objectivity. Since media writing is crisp, sharp
and conversational; the translation should also be done in such a way so that
the readers can understand the intended meaning. It should not only be correct
but should also read well.
The three principles of translation for media are: the use of short paragraphs,
short sentences and spoken language. Print and electronic media use conversational,
simple and direct language that can be understood by general audience. Words
with more than four- five syllables are not easily understood, especially in
electronic media. The translator has to cater to a wide spectrum of people
therefore simple clear language is used and clichés and tongue twisters avoided.
The translator is the re-creator of the original text therefore s/he should have
good command over the source as well as the target language. S/he should
also have the flair for writing in the target language and be well conversant
with the grammatical, syntactic, semantic as well as the socio-cultural context
of the source and the target language.
Translating for media is not an easy job but with little care, patience and hard
work one can learn to do it effectively.

4.9 FURTHER READINGS

Baker, Mona, Routledge Encyclopedia of Translation Studies, Routledge
Taylor and Francis group, London, 1997.
Mukherjee, Sujit, Translation as Discovery and other Essays: On Indian
Literature in English Translation, Orient Longman, Hyderabad, 1994.
Basenett- McGuire, Susan, Translation Studies, London: Methuen, 1980
Catford, J.C, A Linguistic Theory of Translation, OUP, London, 1965
Nida, E, and Taebar, C, The Theory and Practice of Translation, Leiden:
E.J Brill, 1969

4.10 KEY WORDS

SL- Source Language is a language from which a Text is translated into another
language.
TL- Target Language is a language in which the original text is translated.
ST- Source Text is the original text written in any language.
TT- Target Text is the translated text from the source text.
60
Translation
4.11 CHECK YOUR PROGRESS: POSSIBLE
ANSWERS
Check Your Progress 1
1. A Latin word which consists of two words Trans and Latum meaning
“a carrying across” or “a bringing across”. It means carrying across the
message between languages from one text to another i.e. the source language
(SL) to the target language (TL). The source and the translated text are
the same in terms of the sense they convey.
2. With the advent of globalisation there is an increasing demand for translators
in sectors like reputed publishing houses, Electronic as well as Print media,
diplomatic services, tourism and hospitality sector, translation bureaus,
research and international organisations and MNC, as a freelancer.
3. Literal translation may start from a word-for-word translation but make
changes in the text according to the grammar of the Target Language (TL)
whereas Creative translation aims to convey all the meanings but is not
constrained by the form of the Source Text (ST) at all. It has to stylistically
reproduce the meaning and intent of the original text.
Check Your Progress 2
1. The three different phases of translation are: Analysis, Transfer and
Restructuring.
2. A translator may come across a couple of words which are ‘untranslatable’
due to strong cultural roots. This may make it difficult to translate them
as compared to the Source language, the cultural context is missing in the
target language.
Check Your Progress 3
1. In literary writing words with their base, stress, pattern, sense and their
connotations, culturally loaded terms, images, metaphors, proverbs, idioms
and phrases play an important role. Whereas in writing for media, the
emphasis is on the news which should be brief and complete to hold the
attention of the viewers/ listeners. The story has to be cast according to
the visuals available.
2. Subtitle can be defined as putting written translation of spoken dialogues
on screen simultaneously with the audio. Dubbing means translation of
foreign language films/television shows into the language of the target
audience. The basic difference between the two is that - subtitles are for
the eyes whereas dubbing is for the ears.
3. While writing subtitles, the words and the visuals should be properly
synchronised. Selection of the language should be done keeping in mind
the literacy and the socio-cultural background of the target audience so
that the meaning is conveyed in the target language.
Check Your Progress 4
1. The three principles of translation for media are the use of short paragraphs,
short sentences and spoken language.
2. Audience and the purpose are closely inter-related and define the quality
of translation as the translator has to take into account the age group, mental
and intellectual maturity and the level of exposure of the audience to the
content being translated.
3. It should neither be sensational nor look like a court trial. A higher degree
of objectivity in the language is required in this kind of writing/ translation. 61
Writing Skills
4.12 REFERENCES
Mehta, A. (2008). Patrakarita ki Laxman Rekha, New Delhi, Samyik Prakashan
Ramakrishanan, R. (2012), Hindi Patrakarita ke VividhAyam, New Delhi, Prabhat
Shrivastava, K.M. (2003), News Reporting and Editing, New Delhi: Sterling
Vaidik, V. P. (2006), Hindi Patrakarita: VividhAyam, Delhi: Hindi Book Centre
Cogoli, J. E. (1986), Photo-Offset fundamentals, New York: Bennett & McKnight
Pub Co.
Detrani, J. R. (2011). Journalism: Theoryand Practice. New York:AppleAcademic
Press
Franklin, B. (2008), Pulling NewspapersApart: Analysing Print Journalism, London:
Routledge
Harrower, T. and Elman, J. M. (2012).Newspaper Designer’s Handbook, New
York: McGraw Hill
Mckane, A. (2004). Journalism: A Carrier Handbook. London: A & C Black
Publishers.
McKay, J. (2013). The Magazines Handbook, London: Routledge
MLIS –E4, IGNOU, New Delhi
FEG-02, IGNOU, New Delhi
http://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Hard-News-Article
http://blogvault.net/how-to-write-a-soft-news-article/
ht tp://www.uncp.edu/home/acurtis/Courses/ResourcesForCourses/
WritingFeatureStories.html
http://www.slideshare.net/anthony_morgan/how-to-write-a-feature-article
http://blog.ezinearticles.com/2012/10/top-ten-article-writing-tips.html
http://www.wikihow.com/Write-Articles
http://www.geneseo.edu/~bennett/EdWrite.htm
http://journsociety01.wordpress.com/types-of-editorial/
http://www.thenewsmanual.net/Manuals%20Volume%201/volume1_05.htm

62