Methods, Strategies and Procedures(Part# 3)
Lecture 6
Translating Cultural-Specific Items
Newmark`s Translation Model
Newmark proposes the following strategies for translating cultural –specific
items :
(1)Transference
(2)Naturalization
(3) Cultural equivalent
(4)Functional equivalent
(5) Descriptive equivalent
(6)Synonym
(7) Through Translation
(8) Modulation
(9) Recognized translation
(10) Compensation
(11) Componential analysis
(12) Paraphrase
(13) Couplets
(14) Notes , additions , glosses
(1) Transference
A strategy when a SL word is transferred into TL text in its original form
(transcription /transliteration )
Examples:
Mobile - موبايل
الجهاد- Jihad
Pizza بيتزا
Cookies كوكيز
(2) Naturalization
This procedure adapts a SL item first to the normal pronunciation of the TL ,
then to its normal morphology .
Examples :
Technology= تكنولوجيا
الجبر = Algebra
Democracy= ديمقراطية
Physics= فيزياء
(3) Cultural equivalent
A SL cultural item is translated by an equivalent TL cultural item while
maintaining the same connotations .
Examples:
= قيس وليلىRomeo and Juliet
Bread and butter =عيش وملح
Beautiful like the rose = جميلة كالقمر
(4) Functional equivalent
This procedure requires the use of a culture –neutral (culture-free) item . It involves
neutralization or generalization of the SL word . It is also called Deculturalization
strategy.
Example :
= عنتريةheroism
This word is coined from a pre-Islamic Arabian figure called Antara who was
known for his poetry , heroism and adventures . The cultural tinge of the Arabic
word عنتريةin the paragraph above can be discarded to give its functional
equivalent : “heroism”.
=الركوعkneeling
(5) Descriptive equivalent:
In this procedure the translator describes the meaning of the cultural item in
several words .
Example : الخلع
The Arabic word الخلعcan be explained in few words because it has no exact
equivalent in the TL . We can say , “ divorce initiated by the wife ,
redemptive divorce , divorce by redemption , abdicative divorce .
-A skiff= قارب صغير له مجدافان
الثوب- = ?
(6)Synonym
To use a near TL equivalent to a SL word in a context , where a precise equivalent
may or may not exist . This procedure is used for a SL word where there is no clear
one-to-one equivalent , and the word is less important than other components of a
sentence .
Example :
–وسيمةPretty , beautiful
=ذكيsmart, intelligent
=الوضوءablution
(7) Through Translation
It is the literal translation of common collocations , names of organizations
and components of compounds . It can also be called : calque or loan
translation .
Examples :
Superman- الرجل الخارق
Bat-man- الرجل الخفاش
–السد العاليThe High Dam
(8) Modulation
It occurs when the translator reproduces the message of the original text in
the TL text in conformity with the current norms of the TL, since the SL and
the TL may appear dissimilar in terms of perspective.
(fully explained in the previous lecture (lecture 5) )
(9) Recognized translation
It occurs when the translator uses a generally or officially recognized translation of any institutional term.
Example:
United Nations = األمم المتحدة
Foreign Secretary →)وزير الخارجية ( بريطانيا
United Nations→ األمم المتحدة
National Bank= البنك األهلي
Ministry of Internal Affairs = وزارة الداخلية
Secretary of State= وزير الخارجية األمريكي
(10) Compensation
It is to compensate the loss of meaning in the TT. “This is said to occur when loss
of meaning , sound-effect , metaphor or pragmatic effect in one part of a sentence is
compensated in another part , or in the next sentence .
Example:
-O ` Really !!Well !! Well !! = ياسالم
We are honored with your presence ,Sir\your highness= تشرفنا بحضوركم-
Naughty children are being labeled “hyperactive” by their teachers.
.يصنف المدرسون األطفال األشقياء في الوقت الحاضر بأنهم مصابون بفرط الحركة
= الحجpilgrimage to Mecca
(11)Componential analysis
This is the splitting up of a lexical unit into its sense
components , often one-to-two ,-three or –four translations
Example:
Continental breakfast = شاي وقهوة وخبر محمص:فطور أوروبي
(12) Paraphrase
In this procedure the meaning of the culture-specific terms is explained in more
detail , longer than what we do with descriptive equivalent. But the translator
should be careful lest he breaks the Maxim of Quantity .
Don’t say too much or too little.
Example :
=سيارة الهيئةa van of the religious advocators of good deeds
(13)Couplets
It occurs when translators combine two of the above- mentioned procedures
respectively for dealing with a single problem. They further can use triplets and
quadruplets .
Example ;
Sari ) (الساري ( لباس هندي طويلtransference +descriptive equivalence)
Knesset ) ( الكينسيت (البرلمان اإلسرائيليtransference +recognized translation)
(14) Notes, additions , glosses
Such techniques can be employed to add extra information about a culturally-specific
word /expression in the translated text .
a)Notes are additional information in a translation; they can appear in the form of 'footnotes.’
E.g. *إن شاء هللا
*Is an Arabic language expression for "if Allah wills”. The phrase is used by Muslims to refer to
events that one hopes will happen in the future. It expresses the belief that nothing happens unless
Allah wills it and that Allah’s will supersedes human will.
b)Additions: A car accident happened in Leeds last week.
.وقع حادث سير االسبوع الماضي في ليدز احدى المدن البريطانية
c) Glosses: The horse’s mouth → )من فم االسد ( من مصادرها األصلية
Exercise:
Identify the type of modulation:
ST TT Type of modulation
1. He is not feeling well. انه مريض
2. The class was .أشرف أحمد على الفصل
supervised by Ahmad.
3. .جميلة كالبدر As beautiful as rose
4. Wait a minute. انتظر لحظة
Choose the correct answer:
1. =قيس و ليلىRomeo & Juliet, the procedure used in translation is called:
a. Cultural equivalence
b. Compensation
c. Recognized translation
2. =أحبها وتحبني وتحب ناقتها بعيريLove me love my dog, the procedure used in
translation is called:
a. Cultural equivalence
b. Compensation
c. Recognized translation
3. =صفحةpage/sheet, the procedure used in translation is called:
a. Functional equivalence
b. Synonym
c. Through translation
4. =موبايلmobile, the procedure used in translation is called:
a. Naturalization
b. Synonym
c. Transference
5. The procedure that requires the use of a cultural-neutral item in translation
is called:
a. Functional equivalence
b. Naturalization
c. Descriptive translation
6. =الصداقdowry, the procedure used in translation is called:
a. Functional equivalence
b. Synonym
c. Through translation
7. Cremlin:القصر الرئاسي الروسي
a. Functional equivalence
b. Through translation
c. Descriptive translation
ِ وه ُكم وأَيْ ِدي ُكم إِ ََل الْمرافِ ِق و ْامسحوا بِرء
8. )وس ُك ْم َوأ َْر ُجلَ ُك ْم إِ ََل الْ َك ْعبَ ْ ِي َ جو اوُلسِ ْ =)فَاغwash your feet, the
ُُ ُ َ َ ََ ْ َ َ ْ ُُ
procedure used in translation is called:
a. Functional equivalence
b. Modulation
c. Through translation
Thank you
