The Basic Theory of Translation

Liraz Postan

October 9 , 2023 · 5 min

The main theory of translation has always been to understand the languages and subject involved and transfer the information, but there are two opposing theories on the best way to accomplish this.

The translation is, in my experience, one of the most misunderstood disciplines in the world. This is because it appears to be very simple in one regard. So everyone seizes on the most obvious aspects of it immediately and decides that’s all there is to it. In other words, the uninitiated see words go in, and other words come out and assume high-quality translation work is all about word substitution with perhaps some light grammar seasoning thrown in.

This is one reason why non-translation people are always assuming that using AI, machines can easily do the work of translation for us. After all, what’s better at simple substitution work than a computer?

The fact is, though, that translation is a much more complex activity. Not only is “word for word” an insufficient description of what we do, it is also in effect the exact opposite of what any translation theory would state as the purpose of the work.

What is the theory of translation?

The theory of translation is a complex and multidisciplinary field that sits at the intersection of science and art. At its core, linguistic theory of translation is the process of conveying the essence and intent of a source text from one language to another, bridging the gap between different languages and cultures. It involves more than just linguistic equivalence; it requires a deep understanding of the cultural nuances and context in which the source text was created.

A skilled translator is not merely a linguistic converter but a communicator who strives for both fidelity to the original text and fluency in the target language. The goal is to ensure that the translated work not only accurately represents the words and ideas of the source but also resonates with the audience in the new cultural context.

This involves a delicate dance of cultural adaptation, where the translator must make choices that balance the source text’s cultural specificity with the need for the target audience to comprehend and connect with the material.

Basic Translation Precepts

The first coherent general theory of document translation was composed by Étienne Dolet in 1540 in his work La Manière de Bien Traduire d’une Langue en Aultre. The basics of translation he set forth in this monumental document have not changed, and have evolved into the three basic concepts behind all translation, which can be boiled down to the following rules:

The translator must comprehend perfectly the source language
The translator must comprehend perfectly the target language
The translator must be knowledgeable in the subject matter

No matter what else you think about translation as a science, these three precepts are universal: The purpose of translation is to take the meaning of a document and bring it over into the target language, and to do this you must have a clear understanding of these three parts of the equation.

Two Opposing Theories

Beyond that, there are diverging disciplines, though I believe the overwhelming majority of translators adhere to one over the other.

The less popular concept of business translation these days is the idea that our goal should be to render a translation that hews as closely as possible to the word choice, phrasing, and style of the original. This might seem like the preferable method, but it can result in some dense and difficult-to-understand translations because adhering to the grammar and style of one language in another takes some difficult contortionism, language-wise.

6 Translation Theories

Sociolinguistic Approach: The sociolinguistic approach posits that the social context plays a pivotal role in defining what is translatable and what is acceptable in translation. It suggests that a translator is inevitably influenced by their societal background, shaping their choices in selection, filtering, translation studies and even censorship during the translation process. This theory finds its roots in the School of Tel Aviv and has been advanced by scholars like Annie Brisset, Even Zohar, and Guideon Toury.

Communicative Approach: The communicative approach, often referred to as interpretive, or descriptive translation studies was formulated by scholars Danica Seleskovitch and Marianne Lederer, drawing from their experience in conference interpreting. It emphasizes the translation of meaning rather than literal language, viewing language as a conduit for the message rather than an end in itself. This approach advocates for deverbalization, emphasizing that conveying meaning is paramount.

Hermeneutic Approach: George Steiner’s hermeneutic approach sees all human communication as a form of translation. In his work, “After Babel,” Steiner contends that translation is not a science but rather an “exact art.” He argues that a proficient translator should be capable of becoming a writer to capture the true essence of what the original author intends to convey.

Linguistic Approach: Linguists such as Vinay, Darbelnet, Austin, Vegliante, and Mounin have delved into the translation process from a linguistic perspective. They examine translations, whether in marketing, medical, legal, or other domains, by focusing their research on fundamental linguistic units such as words, syntagms, and sentences.

Literary Approach: The literary approach to translation does not view it merely as a linguistic endeavor but as a literary one. It posits that language carries a unique “energy” that stems from the cultural experience it represents. Translators following this approach seek to convey this cultural essence and strength through literary translation rather than adhering strictly to linguistic fidelity.

Semiotic Approach: The semiotic approach centers on the study of signs and their meanings. It considers translation as a process of interpreting texts, where the interplay between signs, objects, and interpreters gives rise to meaning. In this perspective, each sociocultural context is seen as unique, and the translator acts as an interpreter of these unique semiotic landscapes.

The predominant idea these days is to concentrate on content and meaning. In other words, once you understand the content of the source document, you simply re-cast it in the target language using your own comprehension. You can try to maintain a similarity of style, but the main goal is the transference of information from one language to the other.

That’s always my goal. While we always do our best to maintain the style and character of a work, we will always defer to meaning and clarity.

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