Lte 115 Module Week 1 2

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C h a p t e r 1 : INTRODUCTION
Course Learning Outcomes:
a. Identify the history, purposes, connections, and theoretical bases of

translation as an applied language context; and
b. Discuss the relevance of context retention as a relevant process in

translation from one language to the other.
“Anak”
Freddie Aguilar
Engage
Have you
listened to
this song
often times?
Are you
aware of
how
successful
this song is?
Prepared by: Vanderlee M. Batalier

2
Do you know?...
The song “Anak” by Freddie
Aguilar was translated into 27 languages
and became a hit in more than 50
countries such as in Germany, Italy,
Sweden, Japan, Belgium, Korea,
Netherlands, Hongkong and Thailand.
Aguilar was so popular that folk singers
and fans in other countries took to
wearing their versions of his sambalilo.
Sources:
https://steemit.com/philippines/@jerelyn/a-filipino-song-made-international-anak
https://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2015/03/04/1429701/continuing-odyssey-anak
Google images
What is Translation?
 It is derived from the Latin word translatio which means “a carrying across” or
“a bringing across” of a text from one language to another.
 The Ancient Greek term for “translation” has supplied English with
“metaphrase” ( literal or word-for-word translation) opposite to “paraphrase”
(saying in other words).
 It is said that the concept of metaphrase ( literal or word-for-word translation)
is an imperfect idea because a word may carry more than one meaning and a
similar meaning may be said by more than one word (Pierce, 2018).
What is Machine Translation?
 It is a process by which a computer programme analyzes a source text and

produces a target text. Human intervention, however, comes in the form of
pre-editing and post-editing.
 Unedited machine translation is publicly available through tools on the
Internet.

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Google Translate Bable Fish

Babylon StarDict
These machine-translation tools produce rough translations that give the gist
of the source text.
 Translation software can help non-native-speaking individuals understand
works that are published in other languages. However, the sole use of
unedited machine translation is considered limited. It ignores the fact that
communication in human language is context-embedded (Pierce, 2018).
What is Translation Studies?
 Translation studies deals with the systematic study of the theory, description
and application of translation, interpreting, and localization.
 It involves various fields of study that support translation such as comparative
literature, computer science, history, linguistics, philosophy, semiotics and
terminology.
 The term was coined by the Amsterdam-based American scholar James S.
Holmes in his paper “The name and nature of translation studies”.
A BRIEF GLANCE AT THE HISTORY OF TRANSLATION

 Translations have existed for a long time. They have been used for the:
- invention and spread of writing conventions
- development of national languages and national literatures
- spread of knowledge and political power
- diplomatic and scientific changes
- extension of religions
- transfer of cultural values
- compilation of dictionaries.
 Some of the oldest existing translations are Babylonian religious inscription

tablets in Sumeric and Akkadian languages (third millennium BCE). It is
evident from the pictures of surviving tablets that the social position of
translators tended to be rather low despite the importance of what they do.
 Translators had to follow strict orders and their work was heavily censored.
They faced serious consequences when they do otherwise.
Example: Execution of a French translator
 The first well-documented period in the history of Western translation is the

era of Greek-Roman Antiquity.

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The initial purpose of Romans when they began translating text from Greek
into Latin was to enrich the Latin language.
As a result of translators’ personal preferences or their assumptions about

their readers’ expectations, it was found out that Greek text may out to be
very different in its Latin translation depending on who happened to translate
it from Greek into Latin.
 The author Cicero stated that word-for-word translation is not a suitable

practice for translation at all, rather translators should try to find in the
language they translate expressions that are able to reproduce as far as
possible the strength of the original text.
 The work of Horace Ars Poetica believed to influence translators over the
centuries to come. One of his stated major principles was that while
translators should certainly strive to imitate the original author, they should
also aim to express their own individuality.
 Very important new ideas emerged in the Christian era of late antiquity, where
a distinction was first made between texts embodying different degrees of
‘authority’. In the case of the ‘holy texts', such as the Bible, no part of the text
was to be changed in any way. This incident resulted to what was called
‘interlinear versions’, i.e., a type of word-for-word translation, where new text
was written in between lines of the original.
Significantly, Latin Bible translator Hieronymus (cited by St. Jerome, 348-420)

wrote a letter and admitted that in translating Greek texts other than the Bible,
it is often impossible to render one word through another word. He suggested
that translators should rather aim for a sense-for-sense translation.
 In medieval times, the German translator of the Bible Martin Luther

challenged the principle of complete faithfulness to the original. He suggested
a freer formulation whenever necessary. He believed that the translator
needed to be close to the content of the text to be translated, and to watch out
for the rhythm and melody of the text to be able to produce the desired effect.
 The difference between word-for-word and free translation turned out to be a

recurring theme of reflections on translational activities across the centuries.
While the search for the basic ‘principles’ to guide translators continued, it
became clear that such principles were nothing but ideals, and that these
ideals would have to be compromised in any individual act of translating.
General principles were often formulated as demands on individual

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translators. For example, for producing a ‘good’ translation, translators had to

have knowledge of the two languages involved, knowledge of the subject
matter, stylistic competence and knowledge of the original author’s intention.
 It is said that the history of translation has focused on translations of literary,

philosophical, scientific and religious texts. However, there are also many
translations of administrative and legal texts.
Example: The use of translation by Europeans when they invaded
South America
 Translation has played an important role in colonial texts across the world
(House, 2018).
TRANSLATION AND INTERPRETING
Translation Interpreting
It generally refers to written form. It generally refers to oral translation.
A fixed and permanently available text A text in one language is changed into a
in one language is transformed into new text using another language. It is
repeatable text using another language. considered available to the interpreter
only once.
The source text is available to the The source text is generally presented
translator in its entirety. bit by bit.
Overt interaction or direct feedback is Interaction or feedback may occur

not possible. (House, 2018).
In your OWN WORDS and in one paragraph, explain the statement

below.
Translation software can help non-native-speaking individuals

Evaluate understand works that are published in other languages. However, it
ignores the fact that communication in human language is context-
embedded.
Note: Please turn in/ hand in/ submit your answers via google classroom.

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Disclaimer: This material is intended for classroom use only. Exclusively, to be used only by BSU
students currently taking this subject. Warning: Please note that No student shall be allowed to take
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1

Course Learning Outcomes:

a. Identify the history, purposes, connections, and theoretical bases of

b. Discuss the relevance of context retention as a relevant process in

Prepared by: Vanderlee M. Batalier

What is Machine Translation?

 It is a process by which a computer programme analyzes a source text and

Prepared by: Vanderlee M. Batalier

Google Translate Bable Fish

What is Translation Studies?

A BRIEF GLANCE AT THE HISTORY OF TRANSLATION

 Some of the oldest existing translations are Babylonian religious inscription

 The first well-documented period in the history of Western translation is the

Prepared by: Vanderlee M. Batalier

As a result of translators’ personal preferences or their assumptions about

 The author Cicero stated that word-for-word translation is not a suitable

Significantly, Latin Bible translator Hieronymus (cited by St. Jerome, 348-420)

 In medieval times, the German translator of the Bible Martin Luther

 The difference between word-for-word and free translation turned out to be a

Prepared by: Vanderlee M. Batalier

translators. For example, for producing a ‘good’ translation, translators had to

 It is said that the history of translation has focused on translations of literary,

TRANSLATION AND INTERPRETING

It generally refers to written form. It generally refers to oral translation.

Overt interaction or direct feedback is Interaction or feedback may occur

In your OWN WORDS and in one paragraph, explain the statement

Translation software can help non-native-speaking individuals

Prepared by: Vanderlee M. Batalier

Prepared by: Vanderlee M. Batalier

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