CC BY
0THE ART OF TRANSLATION AS A BRIDGE BETWEEN LANGUAGE AND
EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION Xoliqova Xumora Jahongir qizi
3rd year student, Fergana state university https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.11084294
Abstract. The process of translation gained recognition as a formalfield of study in recent years. Initially, the focus was on religious and literary translations, but later expanded to include specialized, non-literary translation. Scholars in translation studies began to explore how languages interact during translation and how this dynamic influences the translation process and its outcomes. Within the realm of translation, various challenges arise, including differences in sentence structures across languages and cultural distinctions. Translators must have a deep understanding of these complexities to accurately convey the original meaning in the target language.
Keywords: literary translation, non-literary translation, original text, meaning, style, context, cultural challenges, idiomatic expressions.
INTRODUCTION
Translation is the process of rendering text or speech from one language into another while maintaining the original meaning, style, and context. It involves transferring the message from the source language to the target language, taking into account cultural nuances and linguistic differences. Translators have to consider not only the literal meanings of words but also the cultural connotations and idiomatic expressions to ensure an accurate and culturally appropriate translation. Translation can be done for various purposes such as literature, business, legal documents, medical texts, technical manuals, and more. It requires an in-depth understanding of both languages involved, as well as the subject matter being translated. A good translation conveys the message of the original text effectively and naturally in the target language, bridging communication gaps between different linguistic communities. The process of translation, which involves converting a source text (ST) from source language (SL) into a target text (TT) in another target language (TL), gained recognition as a formal field of study in the latter part of the twentieth century. This development was a natural progression driven by the evolving nature of translation and its broadening scope.
LITERATURE REWIEV
The foundations of this new discipline were built upon existing concepts developed throughout history by translators worldwide. Initially, the focus was primarily on religious and literary translations, with the latter taking precedence in early translation studies. It was only in 1930s when researchers paid their attention to problems of specialized, non-literary translation, which was preconditioned by the extended international cooperation in the scientific and technical, military and diplomatic fields as well as by the need to train translators for the fields (Sdobnikov, Petrova 2006: 54--55). The linguistic approach to translation emerged as linguists began to delve into the comparative study of languages, providing the necessary theoretical framework to address translation challenges effectively. Edwin Gentzler highlights the significance of this systematic and linguistic approach in addressing the complexities of translation.
During that time, scholars in translation studies were primarily concerned with exploring how languages interacted during translation and how this dynamic influenced the translation
process and its outcomes. This shift marked a transition from a focus on literary analysis to a more linguistic perspective, leading to conflicts and tensions between the two approaches, particularly notable in Russia. Ultimately, it was widely acknowledged that linguistic factors significantly impact both the interpretation of the source text and the creation of the target text in literary translation. This period saw a reconciliation between the previously divergent literary and linguistic viewpoints within translation studies. However, this era represented just the beginning of the development of the science of translation. Subsequent discussions will delve into the key historical events in the realm of translation studies and in the practice of translation itself, with which translation studies are intimately connected. These events have contributed to shaping the field into its current form and establishing its recognized status.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Within the realm of translation, akin to any other discipline, various challenges arise that impact both translators and clients. These obstacles encompass issues specific to individual translators and clients, as well as structural difficulties that inherently impede the translation process. These structural hurdles may include disparities in language structures, cultural distinctions, and complexities that will be discussed in the lines below:
• Structure of the Language
Differences in sentence structures across languages present significant challenges in translation, as do varying cultural norms and the absence of specific terms in certain languages. These difficulties are common in the daily work of translators and contribute to the overall complexity of the translation process. For instance, while English typically places adjectives before nouns, French follows the opposite pattern. In languages like Arabic, the subject pronoun is integrated into the verb, influencing aspects such as gender and voice in the sentence.
Navigating these complexities can be bewildering due to the intricate nature of language, which is expansive and constantly changing. Translators must have a deep understanding of the specific structures of each language, ensuring that the appropriate structures are utilized and that the translation accurately conveys the original meaning.
To address these challenges, focusing expertise on a select few languages that one is proficient in is advisable. Additionally, leveraging tools like grammar checkers and translation memory aids can help maintain the structural integrity of the target language while preserving the intended meaning of the source text.
• Cultural Differences
Cultural differences among language speakers can introduce challenges for translators, particularly when colloquialisms are seamlessly integrated into formal language. The diversity of dialects expands with the size of the language's speaking region, leading to a myriad of colloquial terms, except in specialized fields like technical, legal, or medical translations. For instance, the British humor is renowned for its dry, cutting sarcasm, a characteristic that may not resonate well in other English-speaking regions or different language-speaking nations. This presents a dilemma for translators on how to accurately convey such nuances without causing offense or misunderstanding among the target audience, highlighting the cultural aspect as a structural challenge in translation.
To navigate these intricacies effectively, conducting thorough research is key. Exploring popular colloquial expressions and understanding prevalent dialects through online resources can provide valuable insights for accurate translation. Immerse yourself in the target culture by engaging with media such as movies, TV shows, magazines, and literature in that language, as
visual and written sources can offer rich insights into local customs, humor, and linguistic variations.
• Compound Words
A compound word is formed by combining two or three nouns and adjectives. These compounds can take different forms: closed (e.g., notebook), hyphenated (e.g., long-distance), or open (e.g., fighter pilot). While some compound words convey their meaning directly (e.g., afternoon), others only represent part of the original words (e.g., bellboy), and some bear no obvious relation to their components (e.g., deadline). These complexities can pose challenges for translators.
To navigate such linguistic intricacies, focusing your expertise is crucial. Translators are advised to specialize in specific subjects rather than attempting to cover a broad spectrum. By selecting one or two areas of specialization, you can delve deeply into the compound words commonly used in those fields and master their translations. Employing tools like translation memory software can streamline the translation process and enhance accuracy in handling these complex linguistic constructs.
• Verbs made up of two words
In English, there exist numerous phrasal verbs composed of a verb and a preposition, such as "break up," "break down," "break into," "break in," "break off," "break apart," and "break away." Despite sharing the base verb "break," each combination conveys a distinct meaning, with the following preposition altering the interpretation significantly. Directly translating these phrases into another language is unlikely to capture the intended meaning accurately.
To address this, it is advisable to avoid literal translations. Instead, focus on identifying an appropriate equivalent term or expression in the target language that conveys the full meaning of the phrasal verb rather than translating each word individually. This approach ensures a more precise and effective conveyance of the original phrase's nuances and intended message.
• Missing Terms
An issue frequently encountered in translations is the absence of specific terms in certain languages. This absence can be attributed to cultural factors, where particular objects, actions, or concepts are not present or relevant in a given society.
For translators, this presents a challenging situation that requires careful consideration. For instance, if a term like "child adoption" has no direct equivalent in another language due to cultural differences, it becomes necessary to address this issue thoughtfully.
In such scenarios, the recommended approach is to engage in communication with the
client.
By consulting with the client, translators can collaboratively determine the most appropriate course of action. The client may opt to retain the original term from the source document, propose an alternative term themselves, or even seek a newly coined term that closely conveys the intended meaning.
This collaborative decision-making process with the client ensures that the translation accurately reflects the context and meaning intended, thereby overcoming the challenge posed by missing terms in different languages.
• Words with Several Meanings
In English, numerous words exhibit multiple meanings depending on their context within a sentence. These words can be spelled and pronounced similarly but signify distinct concepts, such as "break" referring to both shattering something and taking a rest, or "lead" indicating
guidance in a conference or a type of pencil material. Additionally, there are words that share the same pronunciation but differ in spelling, like "break" and "brake," or "grate" and "great."
The complexities of English extend beyond homonyms to include idioms, metaphors, similes, and more, each posing unique challenges for translators. These linguistic nuances may not always align with equivalents in other languages.
To address this, translators must adopt a meticulous approach. It is crucial to read the source text attentively to fully comprehend the intended meaning before commencing the translation process. Failing to do so can result in misinterpretations and potentially embarrassing mistakes during the translation process. By exercising vigilance and thorough comprehension of the text, translators can navigate these linguistic intricacies effectively and convey the intended message accurately in the target language.
• Lack of Technical Knowledge
While translators primarily focus on linguistic expertise, they often possess knowledge in specific subject areas without being top authorities in those fields. It is uncommon to find individuals who excel both as a doctor and an expert linguist simultaneously. Translators typically specialize in particular niches and acquire subject-specific proficiency over time.
However, certain specialized translations may present challenges, especially when documents are abundant with technical terminology, detailed procedures, or specific activities. In such cases, translators may encounter difficulties due to the complexity of the content.
To overcome these challenges, seeking assistance from experts becomes essential. When faced with highly technical content, translators may require additional time beyond the norm to complete the task effectively. They can reach out to the client for clarification if stuck or consult local experts familiar with the subject matter for guidance.
Furthermore, continuous self-education is crucial to deepen knowledge and stay abreast of advancements in the field. By dedicating time to research and learning, translators can enhance their expertise and ensure accurate and proficient translations of specialized content.
• Limited Time
Translators commonly face the pressing challenge of time constraints in their daily work, as clients often require quick turnaround times without much flexibility. Simple documents can usually be completed within the given timeframe, but complex technical or legal content containing specialized terms, dialects, or colloquialisms may extend the translation duration significantly. The pressure to deliver within tight deadlines can create significant stress for translators, particularly when clients are eager to receive the translated material promptly.
To address this issue, leveraging technology proves to be highly beneficial. Translation memory software, computer-aided translation tools, and other technological aids can significantly expedite the translation process. By utilizing such tools efficiently, translators can enhance productivity and meet deadlines more effectively. Additionally, exploring online translation tools recommended by professionals can further streamline the workflow.
In cases where the time allotted seems insufficient, it is advisable to communicate early on and negotiate for an extension to ensure the quality and accuracy of the translation work. Embracing technology and proactive communication strategies are key in managing time constraints and delivering high-quality translations within demanding timelines.
• Personal Challenges
Personal challenges for translators differ from linguistic challenges and stem from their work environment. While the linguistic hurdles discussed earlier are prevalent, translators also encounter difficulties associated with their individual circumstances.
Despite the numerous advantages of being a translator, some benefits can lead to potential problems. For instance, the freedom to set one's working schedule and work from home offers flexibility but may result in overworking if time management is lacking.
In addition to time management issues, translators may encounter various other challenges in their profession. These can include ensuring reliable internet access, facing competition from both fellow translators and machine translation services, as well as determining the appropriate pricing for their services. CONCLUSION
To address these personal challenges, it is crucial for translators to understand themselves and approach each issue systematically. By acknowledging and dissecting the specific translation-related problems they face, individuals can develop tailored strategies to mitigate them effectively. Establishing a structured working routine and adhering to a schedule can help in managing time efficiently and avoiding burnout. Seeking assistance from peers or mentors when needed can also provide valuable support in overcoming obstacles encountered in the translation field. The realm of translation presents a myriad of challenges, from linguistic intricacies to personal hurdles. Translators must engage in a collaborative decision-making process with clients to deliver accurate and contextually appropriate translations, especially when facing missing terms or complex linguistic nuances. Addressing the complexities of English, technical knowledge gaps, and time constraints require translators to adopt a meticulous approach, seek continuous self-education, and leverage technology effectively. Moreover, managing personal challenges necessitates self-awareness, systematic problem-solving, structured routines, and seeking support from peers or mentors. By integrating these strategies and approaches, translators can navigate the diverse obstacles in their path, enhance their skills, and elevate the quality of their work in the ever-evolving landscape of translation.
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