Translation is the process of rendering text or speech from one language (the source language) into another (the target language) while striving to maintain the original meaning, tone, and context. It encompasses various types, including literary, technical, legal, and religious translations, each presenting unique challenges and methodologies.
David Crystal's 1976 article, Some Current Trends in Translation Theory, published in The Bible Translator, outlines emerging perspectives in translation studies, highlighting both linguistic and non-linguistic considerations in translation practice.
Key Trends and Approaches in Translation Theory
Descriptive vs. Prescriptive Approaches
Crystal notes a shift from prescriptive rules dictating how translations should be done to descriptive analyses observing actual translation practices. This transition allows for flexibility in understanding translation processes and accommodates the complexities of meaning transfer.
Integration of Linguistics
Linguistic theories increasingly inform translation practices, emphasizing structural and functional aspects of source and target languages. Focus areas include syntax, semantics, pragmatics, and the role of linguistic context in producing accurate translations.
Contextual Sensitivity
Translators are encouraged to consider textual, cultural, historical, and social contexts. This approach ensures translations are meaningful and appropriate for specific audiences, especially in religious or culturally nuanced texts.
Role of the Translator
Crystal emphasizes the translator as an active interpreter and mediator, acknowledging the subjectivity inherent in translation decisions. The translator’s judgments shape the final product, particularly in areas involving doctrinal, liturgical, or stylistic considerations.
Technological Developments
Early machine translation developments are noted for their potential to assist human translators. However, limitations remain, particularly regarding nuance, context, and cultural interpretation.
Non-Linguistic Issues in Translation
While linguistic theory informs structural and functional aspects, some critical issues lie outside the scope of general linguistics but significantly impact translation quality:
Text Selection: Challenges in choosing the best original text, edition, or version for translation.
Meaning Interpretation: Difficulty in precisely determining the source text’s meaning.
Religious Context Criteria: Establishing criteria for selecting texts for pastoral or liturgical purposes.
Doctrinal/Devotional Tradition: Deciding which theological or devotional tradition guides the translation policy.
Translation Aim: Determining the purpose of translation, whether scholarly, aesthetic, or missionary.
General Linguistic Approach
A linguistic perspective complements these considerations by providing objective and systematic tools:
Comprehensive Process: Emphasizes analyzing the entire translation process rather than isolated textual features.
Syntactic Significance: Focuses on the primacy of syntax and structural relationships, rather than overemphasizing word-level choices (e.g., "thou" vs. "you").
Objective Metalanguage: Advocates for describing translation quality using objective terminology grounded in textual characteristics, rather than subjective judgments.
Crystal’s 1976 article highlights the evolving landscape of translation theory, bridging non-linguistic considerations—such as context, doctrinal aims, and interpretive challenges—with a rigorous linguistic framework. By integrating descriptive practices, syntactic analysis, and objective metalanguage, translation is approached as both a scientific and interpretive endeavor. These insights remain foundational for contemporary translation studies, emphasizing the dynamic interplay between language, culture, and meaning.
Reference
Crystal, D. (1976). Some Current Trends in Translation Theory. The Bible Translator, 27(3), 322-329. https://doi.org/10.1177/026009357602700304 (Original work published 1976)
Source: Some Current Trends in Translation Theory by David Crystal
