The Process of Translating is operational. First we choose the approach to translate, then we always keep in mind the different levels: textual, cohesive, referential and naturlaness.

1. The Process of Translating
by Meibis Gonzalez V.

2. Process
• Translating is an operational process
where two important steps take place:
– First, we choose an approach
– Second, we translate within four levels

3. Approaches
• We either translate from the word to the
sentence, from the sentence to the
paragraph, to the paragraph to the
chapter…then we get the feel and feeling
of it
• We might translate also after reading the
whole text several times first until we get
the feel and feeling of it.

4. Comparison of two approaches
Approach Process When to use it Disadvantages
Sentence by
sentence,
paragraph
by paragraph, or
chapter by
chapter
From word
to sentence
to paragraph
to chapter
• Easy texts
• Literary texts
• Too much
revision
• Waste of time
Read whole
Text
Read whole
text several
times first,
then
translate
• Harder texts
• Technical or
institutional texts
• can be
mechanical
• Should never
stop use of
intuition

5. Translation is for discussion…
• Translation is for discussion because…
– When we translate we should propose a
version for discussion and criticism, not
impose a view
– There are no absolutes
– Everything is more or less
– Nothing is purely objective or subjective
– There are no cast-iron rules

6. The Four levels
1.Textual level
2.The referential level
3.The cohesive level
4.Level of naturalness

7. Textual Level
• The text is the base label. This is the level of
literal translations.
• There is transposition of SL grammar into their
TL equivalents.

8. Textual Level
• The translator intuitively and automatically
makes certain conversions of the lexical units
into the sense that appears immediately
appropriate in the context of the sentence (text
based).
• The source text itself and its immediate
impression on the translator play a role

9. The Referential Level
• The referential level and the textual level are
closely involved with each other.
• The referential level deals with content. The
message, or semantics of the text play a major
role.
• After decoding the message, a conceptual
representation is built. The linguistic level that
the text offers is supplemented with the
necessary additional information.

10. The Referential Level
• The translator needs to stand back from the text
and have an image of the reality behind it to find
the real intention of the writer.
• The translator builds up a referential picture
when transforming the SL into the TL text.
• We should not read a sentence without seeing it
in its referential level.

11. The Cohesive Level
• Cohesion is the link of lexical, grammatical, and
other relations which connect various parts of a
text.
• The cohesive level links the textual and the
referential levels.
• It provides organization, and facilitates
understanding. It is clear because the network of
words and expressions in the surrounding
sentences and paragraphs show logical unity.

12. The Cohesive Level
• It has two factors: the structure level and the
mood.
• The structure factor happens through the
connective words linking the sentences from the
known to the new.
• It ensures thus, that there is a sequel, a
sequence of time, space, and logic in the text.

13. Cohesive Level
• In the mood factor (tone), the translator finds
value-laden and value-free passages. The
translator is able to differentiate the subjective
from the objective in the SL text.
• The cohesive level is a regulator. It secures
coherence. It adjusts emphasis.

14. Level of Naturalness
• It allows the translator decide the lengths of
paragraphs and sentences, the formulation of
the title, and the tone of the conclusion.
• This level is target text oriented, focusing
exclusively on the construction of the target text.
•
• Your translation needs to make sense
• It needs to read naturally

15. Level of Naturalness
• Here what counts is that the language
sounds natural (as in the target language).
• Finding this level might face some
possible problems:
– word order
– one-to-one translation

16. Level of Naturalness
– making common structures seem unnatural
– false friends (cognate words)
– participles, infinitives and nominalizations
– old-fashioned or lofty target language diction

17. Level of Naturalness
– non-corresponding categories and
phenomena in the SL and TL such as tense-
aspect, definite article use, idioms and
metaphors, nominal compounds, collocations
etc.
– Presence of random, unpredictable things that
just seem unnatural in the target language

18. Bibliography
• Newmark, Peter. (1988). A textbook of
Translation.

19. Thanks a lot!