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2 | Translation

UNIT 2: Language Translation: Preparatory Stages and

Fundamental Concepts
2.0 Intended Learning Outcomes
a. Define, and determine the origin and evolution, types, methods, and other
developments in the art and science of translation.
b. Acknowledge the value of translation in understanding other cultures and
appreciate the significance of translation and the important role of the
translator.
c. Apply principles and strategies in translating texts of various types in Filipino
language to English or English to Filipino language translation.
d. Appreciate and integrate the significance of language translation to students
in a language and literature classroom.

2.1 Introduction
Unit 2 of this module will expose with technicalities in the process of
translation incorporating the characteristics of a good language translator and the
translator, the conflicting methods of language translation, the suggested steps to
language translation and some preparatory stages to translating texts from English
to Filipino.

2.2 Topics/Discussion (with Assessment/Activities)

2.2.1 Characteristics of a Good Language Translation and the Translator

It is impossible to fully translate a language into another no matter how the author
would want to. There would still be lost, changed, or added to the original context that
the translator would want to translate.
The sad truth about it is that the translator is just secondary to the original author.
But, if the translation is good, what is recognized is the content of the text and one who
receives the praise is the author; and if translation is bad, this might affect the content of
the text which may end up criticizing the translator.
Moreover, the common misconception is that the ones translated are fake, and could
not be equated with the original. Only few who understands that there are instances that
it is even more difficult to translate than to create one.
To expound the lessons on the ‘characteristics of a good translator’, here are the ideas
of Nida and Savoury as mentioned by Almario (2003)

1. Sufficient knowledge of two languages involved in translation.

According to Almario (2003), this feature is the first and most obvious requirement of
any translator based on the concepts of Nida. Moreover, Nida added that in language
translation – it is not enough that the translator gets the “general shift” of the meaning
or how he/she knows to consult from a dictionary. The translator must also understand

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the little fibers of meaning, like the emotional value of the words and the styles used
which completes the “flavor and feel of the message”.
It is therefore expected that if the translation is from Filipino to English, the
translator must have enough knowledge on the two languages. Some experts in
language translations said that if possible the language to be translated must be the first
language of the translator. Nida also mentioned that the translator must have the
complete control of the receptor of language.

This knowledge can be divided into two, as follows:

A. Sufficient knowledge of grammar of the languages involved in translation
Translators need to understand that there is a difference between the structures
of English and Filipino; that English has its own sentence structure, system of
affixation and the formation of phrases which cannot be applied in Filipino.
Translation indeed is a no joke, except for the fact that the two languages
involved are far different in terms of grammar, culture and economic progress like
the Philippines and America.

B. Sufficient capacity in literary expression against to use the language

Almario (2003) mentioned that Nida used the phrase “capacity for literary
expression” on this. That even if the translator knows the subject, has the ability to
use the two languages involved, and has the knowledge on grammar rules, is not a
guarantee that he/she can properly translate especially if what is being translated is
a creative type of literature. It is because the ability of literary language is different
from the common ability to use the language. That if poems are to be translated, it is
best that the translator is a poet or one who writes poems.
Furthermore, Almario (2003) made mention on the appropriateness of L. Portier’s
point of view as cited by Nida in his book.
“One does not render a poet as, with compass, one measures and tells the
dimension of a building, but rather in the way in which one reproduces some
beautiful music upon a different instrument- a procedure which requires genuine
skill of performance and sensitivity to artistic style.”

2. Sufficient knowledge of the subject to be translated.

A teacher who is not teaching biology will not be as good as a translator compared to
the teacher who teaches it. Most of the time, the difference between a good and bad
translation is the difference on the words used for translation. When choosing the right
words to use- the translator becomes superior if all other parts are equal. Which means
that the translator is more knowledgeable on the topic for he/she is on point about it
and understands its concept.

3. Sufficient knowledge about the culture of two languages involve in translation.

America and the Philippines are two countries with a huge difference in terms of
culture. With this, it should not come as a surprise if at times some parts of the
materials in English are not properly translated.
It should be accepted that there is really a big difference between America and the
Philippines in terms of progress in science and technology which are part of the culture
that we are talking about.
*Notice when farming becomes the topic, Filipinos are very rich to call it names.
Example: rice in Filipino

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He plants some rice. --------- palay He cooks some rice. --------- bigas
He eats some rice. ------------ kanin
2.2.2 Conflicting Methods of Language Translation
A. “Author’s Style” versus “Translator’s Style”
A.1 Is it necessary to keep the author’s style in translation?
*The translator should not attempt to alter the works of others.
A.2 Is it necessary to highlight the translator’s style in translation?
*The translator has no right to make his or her style notable in translating other’s work.

B. “Author’s Time” versus “Translator’s Time”

Should the time when a novel, story or essay written many years be kept in the
translation?
Examples:
Lincoln’s Speech Canterbury Tales by Chaucer
The Prayers of Bishop Cranner “Pasyon”
*It depends on the type of reading material and in what time will the target readers of
translation possibly love.

C. “Can be Changed” versus “Cannot be Changed”

According to Lord Woodhouselee, a famous philosopher and author, that it is not
right for the translator to reduce, add up or change ideas in his translation as it will not
be fair to the author.

2.2.3 Suggested Steps to Language Translation

In this section, it is important to point out that translation is not just about the
product or output of translation; the output is equally important as its process, the
different steps that has to be done, before it reaches to its readers as an automatic
translated literary piece. Almario (2003) presented three stages in translation. He
mentioned that there are three basic process of translation, these are:
1. preparation in translation
2. actual translation
3. evaluation of Translation
According to Larson (1984: 3) when translating a text, the translator’s goal is an
idiomatic translation which makes every effort to communicate their meaning of the SL
text into the natural forms of the receptor language. Furthermore, he states that
translation is concerned with a study of the lexicon, grammatical structure,
communication situation, and cultural context of the SL text, which is analyzed in order
to determine its meaning. The discovered meaning is then re-expressed or
reconstructed using the lexicon and grammatical structure which are appropriate in the
receptor language and its cultural context. The following diagram is presented by
Larson as the translation process.
Source Language Receptor Language

Text to be Translated
Translation
Discover the Meaning
Re-express the Meaning
Meaning

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Figure 1 Translation process by Larson (1984 :4)

Nida and Taber (1982: 33) distinguish translation process into three stages:
(1) analysis, in which the surface structure is analyzed in terms of (a) the
grammatical relationships and (b) the meaning of the words and combinations of words,
(2) transfer, in which the analyzed material is transferred in the mind of the translator
from language A to language B, and (3) restructuring, in which the transferred material
is restructured in order to make the final message fully acceptable in the receptor
language. The translation process can be illustrated in the following diagram.

A (Source) B (Receptor)

(Analysis)
(Restructuring)

X Transfer Y

Figure 2. Translation process by Nida and Taber (1982: 33)

The diagrams presented above simply gives you an idea that in translation, it
is important that you undergo a process which is necessary to translate successfully.

2.2.4 Some Preparatory Stages to Translating Texts from English to Filipino

Almario (2003) cited specific steps in preparation for your translating endeavor.
1. Selection of text
In selecting a text to be translated, what are its guidelines? According to Justine O’
Brien (Nida, 1964) one should never translate anything one does not admire’, and if
possible, “a natural affinity should exist between translator and translated.”
2. Reading of the text
Before writing down the first word to be translated, the translator must read first
the SL text. How do translators read? There are different ways in reading that needs
to be applied on the texts to be translated.
3. Evaluation and interpretation of the text to be translated
Part of the initial reading is the evaluation and providing the meaning of the SL
text. On this part, the translator needs to make sure on the type of text to be able to
think of appropriate strategy to be applied in the translation. It is important to
evaluate the content to ensure the right meaning of the particular text.
4. Research on the author and the text to be translated.
For the translator to understand the text to be translated well, especially if it’s
literary text, it would be helpful to research on the biography of the author and read
his/ her other master pieces. Jerry Respeto (2004), a poem translator calls it “to make
feel of the original”.
According to Michael Scott Doyle (1993), when he translated the short story of a
famous Spanish writer Ana Maria Matute: “In most times, it really helps to consult
the author to clarify the context to have a better translation.”
As against to the Roland Barthes statement, a known critic and writer that “an
author has its own life apart from the dead author”. Aside from doing research about

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the author, it is also necessary to look into the topic of the text being translated. To
have a successful translation, knowledge about the topic is not enough, but the
efficiency of the translator on the topic as well.
5. Determine the purpose of translation
Why is a particular text be translated? Is it a translation for others? What is the
purpose of translation? Is it to spread information, or to teach how to do a particular
thing? In the academe, it is a necessary to address the lack of books and references in
Filipino and other disciplines.
6. Determine the readers of translation
For whom is the translation? It is imperative that the translator knows who are
his/ her target readers. The translator must know the following about his/ her
readers: educational attainment, age and cultural knowledge. The translator can tell
the type of text, but to identify for whom the translation is would only be done
through a conversation with the client who wishes have the translation.
7. Determine the theory of translation
Once the aforementioned steps are determined, the translator shall come up with a
theory in translation that will serve as guide, in choosing the equivalents and other
things to be considered. The theory of translation is not strictly applied initially in all
kinds of translation, but for a particular translation undertaking only.

Term Requirement:
Choose one of the seventeen
Sustainable Development Goals as
your topic and look for an
information, education, and
communication (IEC)/ advocacy/
promotional material written in
English about this goal, then
translate it to Filipino.

2.3 References

Almario, V. et. al (2003). Patnubay sa Pagsasalin; Anvil Publishing, Inc.

Larson, M. (1998). Meaning-Based Translation. University Press of America. Inc.
Santiago, A. (2003). Sining ng Pagsasalin. Rex Bookstore, Inc.
United Nations (n.d.) Sustainable Development Goals. Retrieved on February 24, 2021
https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/news/communications-material/

2.4 Acknowledgment

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The images, tables, figures and information contained in this module were
taken from the references cited above

C. M. D. Hamo-ay