LANGUAGE IN INDIA

Strength for Today and Bright Hope for Tomorrow

Volume 21:1 January 2021
ISSN 1930-2940

Editors:
         Sam Mohanlal, Ph.D.
         B. Mallikarjun, Ph.D.
         A. R. Fatihi, Ph.D.
         G. Baskaran, Ph.D.
         T. Deivasigamani, Ph.D.
         Pammi Pavan Kumar, Ph.D.
         Soibam Rebika Devi, M.Sc., Ph.D.

Managing Editor & Publisher: M. S. Thirumalai, Ph.D.

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The Translator’s Predicament: A View of Linguistic, Cultural and
Contextual Problems

Sheliyna Sivanesan

Abstract

A definition of translation cannot very easily be given. If we were to look the word up in a dictionary (Webster’s Dictionary) we would see that translating means changing spoken or written words into another language. The translation activity is very old. It has been generated by the existence of more than one language on this planet and will continue to exist unless humankind came up with a unique language to communicate in. People who have never translated often assume that it is a purely mechanical process. The translator, proficient in both languages, simply has to substitute one word in the source language for an equivalent word in the target language. To some extent this is true, particularly for texts with specific and frequently repeated terminology such as machine manuals, and especially if those texts are being translated into a language related to one’s own. There are several problems faced by the translator at linguistic level such as at phonology, morphology, syntax, and semantics, cultural level-such as at idioms, proverbs, greetings etc., and contextual level for instance at Metonymy. Each and every problem of translation should be overcome in order to produce an effective translation. Therefore, the present paper aims at a view of Linguistic, Cultural and Contextual problems in the Art of Translation and at overcoming those problems using appropriate techniques and strategies.

Keywords: Translation, Predicament, Problems, Techniques, Strategies.

Introduction

Throughout human history, translation has always facilitated and made inter-linguistic communication between nations possible. Obviously, linguistic, and cultural differences between languages worldwide may be viewed as a major obstacle in the way of communication. However, it goes without saying that translation has played an important role in minimizing this crucial problem of communication. It has also played a major role in the development of thoughts and dissemination of technology. It differs from interpreting in that it refers to the transfer of knowledge from a particular language into another in the form of a written text, while interpreting means the transfer of knowledge from a particular language into another in the form of an oral text, an issue which is beyond the scope of the present paper. This paper clearly analyzes the Linguistic, Contextual and Cultural Problems faced by a Translator while translating from English into Tamil or vice versa.

This is only the beginning part of the article. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE IN PRINTER-FRIENDLY VERSION.

Sheliyna Sivanesan
Lecturer (Probationary)
Department of Translation Studies
Faculty of Arts
University of Jaffna
Sri Lanka
ssheliyna@ymail.com
077 666 1684
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