Problems of Translation

The problems faced by translators while translating a text from SL to TL

1. PROBLEMS OF TRANSLATION

2. TRANSLATION PROBLEMS Translators come across various situation that might be problematic while translating a text from source language to target language. Translators usually deal with six different problematic areas in their work .

3. TYPES OF TRANSLATION PROBLEMS

4. LEXICAL - SEMANTIC PROBLEMS Due to the semantic features of language - the meanings of words, their ability to combine with other words, their usage and their place in lexical system of a language do not concur for the most part. All the ideas expressed by words coincide in most cases, though the means expression differ.

5. There are some languages where terms for certain objects or actions do not exist. Example : In Tamil, a married woman is called as “SUMANGALI” . There is no word similar for this term in other languages like English .

6. PHONOLOGICAL PROBLEM Sounds, have an effect on any hearer, the sounds effect some kind of response. The translator should ensure reasonably close phonological equivalence between the source and target languages.

7. SYNTACTIC PROBLEMS Syntactical problems may originate in syntactic parallels, the direction of the passive voice, the focus or even rhetorical figures of speech, such as a hyperbaton (the inversion of the natural order of speech) or an anaphora ( repetition of a word or segment at the beginning of a line or a phrase.

8. The translator comes across the problem in language structure while translating a phrase or a sentence. This problem occurs when the language is complex. The structure of English language is SVO , the structure of Tamil language is SOV and in languages like Arabic, the subject pronoun is written as part of the word, which then determines the voice of the sentence and the gender of the subject.

9. CULTURAL ISSUE Cultural issues may arise from differences between cultural references, such as names of food, Festivals and cultural connotations, in general. The translator will use language localization to correctly adapt the translation to the culture targeted.

10. EXAMPLE : The Tamil word “ valakaapu ” refers to the function done to a pregnant woman in her 7 th month of pregnancy in culture of Indians. But a similar word for this cannot be found in other foreign language. The Hindi word “ Mehandi ” refers to the practice of applying temporary henna tattoos, especially as part of a bride or groom’s preparation for wedding. A similar word for this cannot be found in other foreign languages.

11. PRAGMATIC PROBLEMS Pragmatic problems refer to any issues relating to time, place, and context. These difficulties can also include other challenges. EXAMPLE : In the translation of a marketing from English to Tamil specifically with the translation of the personal pronoun “you”. The translator must decide whether the formal or informal “you” will be more appropriate. .

12. RHETORICAL PROBLEMS Rhetorical problems are related to the identification and recreation of figures of thought ( comparison, metaphor, metonymy, oxymoron, paradox, etc.) and diction .

13. Help how much my heart hurts .....My voice is goner ................. Bye bye , boring life I cannot take it no more....... .....I gazed – and gazed but little thought

14. Translation work requires meticulousness. The translator must be well read, have a good knowledge on both the source and target languages. Translators can refer dictionaries, Thesauruses, and other books to find the appropriate words for the betterment of the translation.

15. THANK YOU