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chapter 2

Chapter 2 of the document provides a literature review on translation, defining it as the process of conveying meaning from one language to another while maintaining equivalence. It outlines various types of translation, including word-for-word, literal, idiomatic, faithful, semantic, and free translation. Additionally, it discusses lexical ambiguity, defining it as the presence of multiple meanings in words that can complicate translation efforts.

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21 views4 pages

chapter 2

Chapter 2 of the document provides a literature review on translation, defining it as the process of conveying meaning from one language to another while maintaining equivalence. It outlines various types of translation, including word-for-word, literal, idiomatic, faithful, semantic, and free translation. Additionally, it discusses lexical ambiguity, defining it as the presence of multiple meanings in words that can complicate translation efforts.

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41 Nguyễn Hoàng Thái
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© © All Rights Reserved
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Chapter 2

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Some definitions of translation

In Translation and Translating: Theory and Practice, Roger T. Bell (1991)


presents translation as “the replacement of a representation of a text in one language
by a representation of an equivalent text in a second language” (p. 06). This means
that translation is not just changing words from one language into another, but finding
an equivalent way to express the same meaning in the target language. Bell’s
definition focuses on the idea of “equivalence,” which is very important in translation.
A good translation must keep the meaning and message of the original text.

Another definition of translation is that "translating consists of reproducing in the


receptor language the closest natural equivalence of the source language message,
first in terms of meaning and second in terms of style" (Nida & Taber, 1982, p. 12).

Translation (from https://gtelocalize.com/translation-and-transcreation/) is the


process of converting text from one language to another while maintaining its original
meaning and intent.

2.2 Types of translation

There are several types of translation that have been identified up till now,
depending on the purpose and method of the translation. Here are some of them:

- Word-for-word translation: “The source language word-order is preserved and


the words translated singly by their most common meanings, out of context”
(Newmark, 1988, p. 45)

- Literal translation: “The source language grammatical constructions are


converted to their nearest target language equivalents but the lexical words are again
translated singly, out of context”. (Newmark, 1988, p. 46)

- Idiomatic translation: is a type of translations that tries to express the meaning


of the source text using natural forms in the target language. This type of translation is
generally preferred because it sounds more fluent and clear to the target audience.
According to Larson (1984), “idiomatic translation use the natural forms of the
receptor language, both in grammatical constructions and in choice of lexical items”.
(p. 18)

- A faithful Translation: “A faithful translation attempts to reproduce the precise


contextual meaning of the original within the constraints of the TL grammatical
structures. It 'transfers' cultural words and preserves the degree of grammatical and
lexical 'abnormality' (deviation from SL norms) in the translation”. (Newmark, 1988,
p. 46)

- Semantic translation: “Semantic translation differs from 'faithful translation'


only in as far as it must take more account of the aesthetic value (that is, the beautiful
and natural sounds of the SL text, compromising on 'meaning' where appropriate so
that no assonance, word-play or repetition jars in the finished version”. (Newmark,
1988, p. 46)

- Free translation: “Free translation reproduces the matter without the manner, or
the content without the form of the original. Usually it is a paraphrase much longer
than the original, a so-called 'intralingual translation*, often prolix and pretentious,
and not translation at all”. (Newmark, 1988, p. 46)

2.3 Lexical ambugities in Vietnamese-English translation

2.3.1 Definition of lexical

Lexical refers to anything related to the vocabulary of a language, including


words and their meanings. According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, "of or relating
to words or the vocabulary of a language as distinguished from its grammar and
construction".

2.3.2 Definition of ambiguity

Ambiguity refers to the presence of two or more possible meanings in a word,


phrase, or sentence. As stated by Nguyen Thi Cuong (2010), “Ambiguity is an
expression whose meaning cannot be determined from its context. In other words,
phrase or sentence is ambiguous if it has more than one meaning” (p. 4).

2.3.3 Definition of lexical ambiguity

Lexical ambiguity occurs when a word has more than one meaning, and the
intended meaning is unclear without additional context. According to Fromkin,
Rodman, and Hyams (2014), “Lexical ambiguity arises when at least one word in a
phrase has more than one meaning” (p. 143).

2.3.4 Lexical ambiguity in translation


Nida, E. A., & Taber, C. R. (1982). The theory and practice of translation.

https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004669147

Bell, R. T. (1991). Translation and translating: Theory and Practice. Routledge.

https://byvn.net/J76X
Newmark, P. (1988). A textbook of translation. Prentice Hall.

http://ilts.ir/Content/ilts.ir/Page/142/ContentImage/A%20Textbook%20of
%20Translation%20by%20Peter%20Newmark%20(1).pdf

Larson, M. L. (1984b). Meaning-based translation : a guide to cross-language

equivalence. In University Press of America eBooks.

file:///C:/Users/Admin/Downloads/

Meaning_based_Translation_A_Guide_to_Cro.pdf

Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Lexical. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary.

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lexical

Cuong, T. N. (2010). Misinterpretations in translating ambiguous sentences by Can


Tho University English majors. 1tailieu.com.

https://1tailieu.com/document/misinterpretations-in-translating-ambiguous-sentences-
by-can-tho-university-english-majors-1764308.html

Fromkin, V., Rodman, R., & Hyams, N. (2014). An introduction to language (10th
ed.). Cengage Learning.

https://ukhtt3nee.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/
an_introduction_to_language.pdf

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