INTERPRETING

PRACTICE 1
WEEK 5: SIMPLIFICATION AND GENERALIZATION
BY NGUYEN HUONG TRAM ANH, M.A.
ENGLISH DEPARTMENT, HANOI UNIVERSITY
PRACTICE: READ THE Một ngày, chuẩn bị đến công ty tại Mỹ, tôi thấy có người rao
VIETNAMESE PASSAGE BELOW
AND WORK OUT AS MANY bán tập bản đồ chính thức của Trung Quốc. Có điều gì thôi thúc
ENGLISH EQUIVALENTS AS tôi phải đi ngay. Xin nghỉ phép, tôi lái xe một mạch tới New
POSSIBLE THAT CAN REPLACE York. Trước mắt tôi, tập bản đồ to như cái bàn, dày mấy chục
THE WORDS/PHRASES IN BOLD trang được in từ năm 1933. Lật từng trang, tôi hồi hộp vì đang
PRINT.
a. tại Mỹ chứng kiến một sự kiện lịch sử sống. Bản đồ chi tiết đến từng
• eg. in America tỉnh, từng khu vực của Trung Quốc. Trong đó, họ đã đưa Tây
b. thấy Tạng và Mông Cổ vào bản đồ. Tôi nghĩ: "Nếu Trung Quốc cho
rằng Hoàng Sa và Trường Sa là của họ thì họ cũng đưa vào sách
c. Xin nghỉ phép
này". Và y như rằng, tập bản đồ dày cộp liệt kê 29 tỉnh của
d. to như cái bàn
Trung Quốc không đề cập đến Hoàng Sa và Trường Sa. Cực
e. sự kiện lịch sử sống nam của Trung Quốc chỉ dừng lại ở đảo Hải Nam trong tờ bản
f. Và y như rằng đồ tỉnh Quảng Ðông. Tôi thở phào sung sướng, bấm điện thoại
báo tin vui cho bạn bè ở Mỹ và Việt Nam.
SIMPLIFICATION

According to Toury (1995: 181):

• Simplification = simplifying the language used in translation with:
• Shortened sentences;
• Simpler structure;
• Less ambiguous expression.
SIMPLIFICATION

According to Simensen in Crossley et al (2007: 16), simplified texts are texts written:
(a) to illustrate a specific language feature
• e.g.: the use of modals or the third-person singular verb form

(b) to modify the amount of new lexical input introduced to learners;

(c) to control for propositional input.
SIMPLIFICATION
PROS AND CONS
Simplified texts = valuable aids to learning:
• reflect what the reader already knows about language -> extend this knowledge
(Davies and Widdowson in Crossley et al, 2007: 16).
• contain increased redundancy and amplified explanation (Kuo in Crossley et al, 2007:
16).
Simplification brings many consequences:
• make the target reader understand the text more easily
or
• it also can make the target reader dissatisfied.
SIMPLIFICATION
STORIES
• Original: (Colleen McCullough. The Thom Birds. Avon Books 1977)
There is a legend about a bird which sings just once in its life, more sweetly than any other creature
on the face of the earth. From the moment it leaves the nest it searches for a thorn tree, and does
not rest until it has found one. Then, singing among the savage branches, it impales itself upon the
longest, sharpest spine. And, dying, it rises above its own agony to out-carol the lark and the
nightingale. One superlative song, existence the price.. But the whole world stills to listen, and God in
His heaven smiles. For the nest is only bought at the, cost of great pain... Or so says the legend.
• Simplified version: (Colleen McCullough. The Thom Birds. Penguin Readers 2001)
There is a story about a bird that sings only once.
From the time it is born it searches for a thorn tree and, when it finds one, it flies at the longest,
sharpest thorn.
As it dies, it sings its song - more beautiful than that of any other bird.
SIMPLIFICATION
USAGE

• Simplification can be used when:

• the speech is so technical
• -> the Interpreter cannot render all of the technical details.
• The speaker may be talking over the heads of their audience.
• -> the interpreter is trying to bridge the communication gaps.
HOW TO SIMPLIFY?

Interpreting unfamiliar jargon into everyday language

• Original: a back-fire
• Nghĩa kỹ thuật: cướp lửa
• Nghĩa thông dụng: máy nổ sớm.
• Nghĩa thuật ngữ trong lĩnh vực cứu hỏa: tường lửa ngược.

• Simplified: phương pháp sử dụng một ngọn lửa có khống chế để ngăn chặn sự cháy lan
của rừng đang cháy.
HOW TO SIMPLIFY?

Identify the essence of a statement and convey it, without understanding all the details
expressed by the speaker.
• Original:
She angered me with her inappropriate comments, rumor-spreading, and disrespectfulness
at the formal dinner table.
• Simplified:
She made me angry when she was rude at dinner.
GENERALIZATION

Generalization = translating a term for a more general one.

1. Original:
Sáng mai chúng tôi sẽ tổ chức cho các bạn đi thăm viếng 5 nơi: Đi Chùa Tây Phương, sau quay về thăm Đền Ngọc Sơn,
Chùa Một Cột, và kết thúc buổi tham quan ở Đền Quan Thánh,….
• Simplified (generalized)

For tomorrow morning, we'll take you to visit four pagodas and temples outside and inside Hanoi.
2. Original:
… to visit Edinburgh zoo, Mons Meg, Leith-sur-mer, King's Theatre, Meadowbank, Stary Theatre of Krakov, Fringe
Sunday, etc. (BBC Beginners English-2. P.33)
• Simplified (generalized):
…to visit some places of interest.
PRACTICE 1: USE 1. Although Bradley Hall is regularly populated by students, close study of the building as a structure is
SIMPLIFICATION seldom undertaken by them.
AND
GENERALIZATIO 2. He dropped out of school on account of the fact that it was necessary for him to help support his family.
N TO
3. It is expected that the new schedule will be announced by the bus company within the next few days.
TRANSLATE
THESE 4. There are many ways in which a student who is interested in meeting foreign students may come to know
SENTENCES one.
INTO
VIETNAMESE 5. Trouble is caused when people disobey rules that have been established for the safety of all.
6. A campus rally was attended by more than a thousand students. Five students were arrested by campus
police for disorderly conduct, while several others are charged by campus administrators with organizing a
public meeting without being issued a permit to do so.
7. The subjects that are considered most important by students are those that have been shown to be useful to
them after graduation.
8. In the not too distant future, college freshmen must all become aware of the fact that there is a need for
them to make contact with an academic adviser concerning the matter of a major.
9. In our company there are wide-open opportunities for professional growth with a company that enjoys an
enviable record for stability in the dynamic atmosphere of aerospace technology.
10. Some people believe in capital punishment, while other people are against it; there are many opinions on
this subject.
PRACTICE 2: COMBINE EACH SENTENCE GROUP
INTO ONE CONCISE SENTENCE.

1. The cliff dropped to reefs seventy-five feet below. The reefs below the steep
cliff were barely visible through the fog.
2. Their car is gassed up. It is ready for the long drive. The drive will take all night.
3. Sometimes Stan went running with Blanche. She was a good athlete. She was on
the track team at school.
4. Taylor brought some candy back from Europe. It wasn't shaped like American
candy. The candy tasted kind of strange to him.
5. Government leaders like to mention the creation of new jobs. They claim that
these new jobs indicate a strong economy. They don't mention that low-wage
jobs without benefits and security have replaced many good jobs.
PRACTICE 3: ELIMINATING WORDINESS
REVISE THE FOLLOWING PASSAGE, AVOIDING
WORDINESS AND UNDESIRABLE REPETITION.

A large number of people enjoy reading murder mysteries

regularly. As a rule, these people are not themselves murderers,
nor would these people really ever enjoy seeing someone commit
an actual murder, nor would most of them actually enjoy trying to
solve an actual murder. They probably enjoy reading murder
mysteries because of this reason: they have found a way to escape
from the monotonous, boring routine of dull everyday existence.