Translation is more than just changing words
Translation is more than just changing words
Novembre 13, 2018
Translation is more than just changing words.
Written by: Sandy Oh Xiu Wen
Etymologically, translation is the act of having to move or carry across meanings, or from one position to another, or from one state to another. Yet in today's world, translation is often understood as the transfer of meaning, both literally and figuratively in another language. What is more often neglected, is that translation does more than just carry meanings, it carries out its meanings, it carries out its medium, cultures and traditions of a society.
Culture can be translated through words, phrases and idioms. Exploring such an exchange on a superficial level, language can share the another culture simply by verbally explaining the traditions of another through words or phrases. For instance, "The French practice has a custom called faire la bise". The cheek-kissing culture of the French is then being shared through the term "faire la bise". Idioms, on the other hand, expresses culture in a more implicitly manner. To prove my point, examine the idiom "Avoir le cafard". Directly translating this term would get us "have the cockroach", a phrase that by English standards, have no meaning at all. However, in French, the phrase is used to describe an individual being upset, depressed, or simply feeling blue. Idioms like that might give the audience as to how the french views the daily pest, the cockroach, or perhaps show the extent of dislike the French have towards the cockroach.
Delving more into the micro level of culture translation, culture can also be expressed by the way language is written. The origins of language can come from a plethora of derivation - Morphological derivation, calque derivation, etc. By choosing to translate into a certain language can also give the audience a peek into the perspective another culture has. What makes fire in the term "fire" in english, "feu" in French and " 火" in Chinese? How did these words come from? If the English word "fire" was evolved with the help of the Dutch and German, does that mean that the English culture was to some point, dependent on the German and Dutch? On the flip side, if the Chinese term " 火" was coined in reference to the visual aesthetic of fire, does this mean that the Chinese were more literal and straightforward?
Perhaps that is the power of language, where words do not just carry platonic meanings but also the purpose, culture and habits of a society.
Quoting the Italian writer and Journalist, "Without translation, I would be limited to the borders of my own country. The translator is my most important ally. He introduces me to the world. "
In essence, languages are beyond characters that carry meanings, they carry with them a vibrant nature that can reveal emotions, and most importantly, culture. As a proficient translator, it is important to remember that as we translate, we should always carry not solely the corresponding intention, but also respect the relevant culture and express the appropriate feelings.
The importance of understanding culture in translation
Understanding the culture of one another gives the language context and allows for a more accurate translation. The same words conveyed from one culture to one another can sometimes obtain radically different meaning of which, could make the world of a difference when it comes to translation. A classic example is when Nikita Khrushchev uttered the famous phrase "We will bury you" at the reception of the Polish embassy in Moscow in 1956 when what Khrushchev really meant was "We will outlast you". This mistranslation was naturally, and widely believed to be a threat of tension. This mistranslation of one word was able to change the global political landscape drastically.
Therefore, it is crucial that translators understand the different cultures that they represent and decipher the different context and culture that is behind the intended message.
What an interesting article, Sandy. Loved it!
RépondreSupprimerYou really went deep in your reflection and you raised some interesting points. I especially liked the paragraph about the writings of the language. I think it's cool and beautiful the way words and terms can convey meanings and feelings even, by way of imagery, like in Chinese with the word fire like you mentioned. What other words are there in Chinese that are written according to the imagery of it?
The part about the "cockroach" idiom in French was so funny too. I had never thought about how weird that one must sound to foreigners! French people do have weird sayings, I totally agree haha. What other funny idioms or sayings have you come across in your time here so far?
- Pam V.
Hi Pam!
SupprimerI'm glad you enjoyed the article. :)
To answer your question, many of the Chinese words are derived from images. Some other examples include "口" (mouth), which is formed with reference to the shape of one's mouth and "山" (mountains) that is aimed to look like the silhouette of a mountain. :)
Indeed, I was very surprised learning the phrase with cockroaches, another phrase that I thought was rather interesting was "Devenir chêvre". I didn't know goats reflected an angry state!
Cheers,
Sandy
Thank you for your article Sandy !
RépondreSupprimerI've been interested in sayings in foreign languages and love to find equivalents in other idioms, it is a very funny thing to do. I like the fact that it is possible to understand how two languages are different or very similar.
I really liked your example about "having a cockroach" it's a very good one. I also noticed how much expressions and sayings involve animals like "being blind like a bat" or food (mostly in French, showing our culture of gastronomy !). What about China, do animals or food also appear in your sayings? I would love to know a bit more about it!
~ Laura R.
Hi Laura!
SupprimerIt's enjoyable learning new things in languages, they make me so curious and excitable at times. :)
In Chinese, there are also plenty of phrases that uses animals, not so much for food though, not in simplified Chinese at least. I'm not from China, but from what I know, some parts of China still uses traditional Chinese which may sometimes differ a little from Simplified Chinese!
I love languages like you too, I'm so happy to find people of the same interest. :)
See you in class!
Cheers,
Sandy
That's the kind of article every translator should read before starting to really do translation.
RépondreSupprimerI liked the way illustrated key points of our field ! It's so much pression to be in our shoes but so exciting at the same time!
My question however arose after reading your last paragraph. In fact, I can do nothing else but agree with you on the idea that we have to be able to distinguish cultural backgrounds of the languages we study, speak, translate, but how do we achieve a great knowledge of it ? What is your approach to this matter? I would like to know more about what advice could you give to future translators to make sure they are ready enough on this point at least……?
Lorène M
Hi Lorène!
SupprimerYes, I agree. Sometimes I think translators are not given enough credit for the work they do! It's quite sad actually, because without translators, understanding people across the globe is going to be so difficult and building international relations and businesses will be a challenge.
Personally, I think that when we learn a new language, we unknowingly also pick up the culture that comes along with it, as portrayed in the phrases and choice of words we used. There are aplenty of methods to understand cultures, from interacting with the locals or simply reading news about a certain society, little bit of cultures are being exchanged. Culture is a huge category and if I were to give any advice to future translators, i would ask them to perhaps read about some dos and don'ts in the field that they will be tasked to do the translation in. And with each assignment done, you can be sure you'll know the culture more than you think. :)
This is just my two cents worth, I would love to know if you have any other thoughts on this!
Cheers,
Sandy