Translation Theory
Posted: Sun Oct 23, 2005 7:39 pm
There are a number of translation theories and one way is not neccessarily right when contexts are considered. When producing a translation for broad use and study many people believe that there is essentially one theory which is acceptable (incidentally I believe that formal equivanlence is THE translation theory ).
This does not take into account all the different uses of translation. Translation can be a tool for learning Greek, producing reading material from foreign languages, study guides flagging the english reader about foreign peculiarities, etc.
When someone is translating for personal use they need to feel free to translate according to their desires. A person who is wanting to learn greek just to read greek as a supplement to their English study would translated their exercises in a textbook different than someone who wants to learn Greek to study supplementing their English reading. These are just a few scenarios.
The point of bringing this up is that many textbooks advocate pet translation theories apart from considering the needs of the student. Few students are going to join a translation committee any time soon lol. The problem with this is that correcting exercises becomes a frustrating experience in right and wrong. This shouldn't be the approach to a textbook. Some answers are wrong, but others may not be wrong even though they do not match the answer key. Failing to understand this may be a major source of frustration to new students. Look at answers not to discover why yours is wrong, but to ask why theirs is different. Then if you agree with the reasons you have learned about the text, the language, or both. Even the choice of one gloss over another is not neccessarily right or one (though it may be in some contexts). Do not be discouraged, but ask questions.
Share your views on this topic.
This does not take into account all the different uses of translation. Translation can be a tool for learning Greek, producing reading material from foreign languages, study guides flagging the english reader about foreign peculiarities, etc.
When someone is translating for personal use they need to feel free to translate according to their desires. A person who is wanting to learn greek just to read greek as a supplement to their English study would translated their exercises in a textbook different than someone who wants to learn Greek to study supplementing their English reading. These are just a few scenarios.
The point of bringing this up is that many textbooks advocate pet translation theories apart from considering the needs of the student. Few students are going to join a translation committee any time soon lol. The problem with this is that correcting exercises becomes a frustrating experience in right and wrong. This shouldn't be the approach to a textbook. Some answers are wrong, but others may not be wrong even though they do not match the answer key. Failing to understand this may be a major source of frustration to new students. Look at answers not to discover why yours is wrong, but to ask why theirs is different. Then if you agree with the reasons you have learned about the text, the language, or both. Even the choice of one gloss over another is not neccessarily right or one (though it may be in some contexts). Do not be discouraged, but ask questions.
Share your views on this topic.