Problems and Constraints in Translation: A Semiotic Perspective

Anna  Rędzioch-Korkuz

doi:10.12797/MOaP.26.2020.47.05

Authors

Anna Rędzioch-Korkuz University of Warsaw https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8345-2488

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.12797/MOaP.26.2020.47.05

Keywords:

translation, semiotics, problems, constraints, model

Abstract

Constraints are an integral part of translation: in addition to purely linguistic, social and cultural aspects, professionals often have to deal with ideological, technical and ethical problems, which unlocks the potential of semiotics for translation studies. The article presents a working typology of potential constraints operating in translation. It highlights the distinction between translation problems and constraints, with the latter understood as any potential and objective factor which limits the performance of translators, forcing them to apply problem-solving tactics to produce a relevant target text. It is argued that even though the terms “constraint” and “problem” have negative connotations, the knowledge of potential impediments can often prove helpful, since it can facilitate translation by restricting possibilities or justify chosen techniques. The argumentation is supported by examples of constraints, their sources, and accepted practice.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

PlumX Metrics of this article

References

Baker, M., Saldanha, G. (2009), Routledge Encyclopedia of Translation Studies, 2nd Edition, Routledge, London−New York, https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203872062. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203872062
View in Google Scholar

Chaume, F. (2012), Audiovisual Translation: Dubbing, St Jerome, Manchester.
View in Google Scholar

Chesterman, A. (1997), Memes of Translation: The Spread of Ideas in Translation Theory, John Benjamins, Amsterdam−Philadelphia, https://doi.org/10.1075/btl.22. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1075/btl.22
View in Google Scholar

Delabastita, D. (1989), “Translation and Mass Communication: Film and TV Translation as Evidence of Cultural Dynamics”, Babel, 35(4), pp. 193-218, https://doi.org/10.1075/babel.35.4.02del. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1075/babel.35.4.02del
View in Google Scholar

Delisle, J., Lee-Jahnke, H., Cormier, M. C. (eds.) (2006), Terminologia tłumaczenia, (translated by T. Tomaszkiewicz), Wydawnictwo Naukowe UAM, Poznań.
View in Google Scholar

Díaz-Cintas, J., Remael, A. (2007), Audiovisual Translation: Subtitling, St Jerome, Manchester–Kinderhook.
View in Google Scholar

d’Ydewalle, G., van Rensbergen, J., Pollet, J. (1987), “Reading a Message when the Same Message is Available Auditorily in Another Language: The Case of Subtitling”, in: J. K. O’Regan, A. Lévy-Schoen (eds.), Eye Movements: From Psychology to Cognition, Elsevier Science, Amsterdam, pp. 313-321, https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-444-70113-8.50047-3. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-444-70113-8.50047-3
View in Google Scholar

Eco, U. (2001), Experiences in Translation, (Translated by A. McEwen), University of Toronto Press, Toronto–Buffalo–London.
View in Google Scholar

Fodor, I. (1969), “Linguistic and Psychological Problems of Film Synchronisation”, Acta Linguistica Scientiarum Hungaricae, 19, pp. 69-106 and 379-394.
View in Google Scholar

Gambier, Y., van Doorslaer, L. (eds.) (2010), Handbook of Translation Studies, Vol. 2, John Benjamins, Amsterdam−Philadelphia, https://doi.org/10.1075/hts.1. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1075/hts.1
View in Google Scholar

Gonzáles Davies, M. (2004), Multiple Voices in the Translation Classroom: Activities, Tasks and Projects, John Benjamins, Amsterdam−Philadelphia, https://doi.org/10.1075/btl.54. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1075/btl.54
View in Google Scholar

Gonzáles Davies, M., Scott-Tennent, C. (2005), “A Problem-solving and Studentcentred Approach to the Translation of Cultural References”, Meta, 50-51, pp. 160-179, https://doi.org/10.7202/010666ar. DOI: https://doi.org/10.7202/010666ar
View in Google Scholar

Gottlieb, H. (1992), “Subtitling – A New University Discipline”, in: C. Dollerup, A. Loddegaard (eds.), Teaching Translation and Interpreting, John Benjamins, Amsterdam, pp. 161-170, https://doi.org/10.1075/z.56.26got. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1075/z.56.26got
View in Google Scholar

Gutt, E.-A. (2010), “Relevance: A Key to Quality Assessment in Translation”, in: B. Lewandowska-Tomaszczyk, M. Thelen (eds.), Meaning in Translation, Peter Lang, Frankfurt am Main, pp. 267-282.
View in Google Scholar

Holz-Mänttäri, J. (1984), Translatorisches Handeln – Theorie und Methode, Suomalainen Tiedeakatemia, Helsinki.
View in Google Scholar

Jakobson, R. (1960), “Closing Statements: Linguistics and Poetics”, in: T.A. Sebeok (ed.), Style in Language, MIT Press, Cambridge Mass., pp. 350-377.
View in Google Scholar

Jääskeläinen, R. (1993), “Investigating Translation Strategies”, in: S. Trikkonen-Condit, J. Laffling (eds.), Recent Trends in Empirical Translation Research (Studies in Language), 28, University of Joensuu, Joensuu, pp. 99-120.
View in Google Scholar

Jääskeläinen, R., Trikkonen-Condit, S. (1991), “Automatised Processes in Professional vs. Non-professional Translation: A Think-aloud Protocol Study”, in: S. Trikkonen-Condit (ed.) Empirical Research in Translation and Intercultural Studies. Selected Papers of the TRANSIF Seminar, Savonlinna, 1988, Gunter Narr, Tübingen, pp. 89-110.
View in Google Scholar

Kiraly, D. C. (1995), Pathways to Translation. Pedagogy and Process, Kent State University Press, Kent−Ohio-London.
View in Google Scholar

Kittel, H., Frank, A. P., Greiner, N., Hermans, T., Koller, W., Lambert, J., Paul, F. (eds.) (2008), Übersetzung – Translation – Traduction, Vol. 1, De Gruyter Mouton, Berlin–Boston, https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110171457. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110171457
View in Google Scholar

Krings, H. P. (1986), “Translation Problems and Translation Strategies of Advanced German Learners of French”, in: J. House, S. Blum-Kulka (eds.), Interlingual and Intercultural Communication: Discourse and Cognition in Translation and Second Language Acquisition Studies, Gunter Narr, Tübingen, pp. 263-275.
View in Google Scholar

Levý, J. (1967), “Translation as a Decision Process”, in: To Honour Roman Jakobson: Essays on the Occasion of his 70th Birthday, Vol. 2, Mouton, The Hague, pp. 1171-1182, https://doi.org/10.1515/9783111349121-031. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/9783111349121-031
View in Google Scholar

Lewandowska-Tomaszczyk, B. (2017), “Partial Perception and Approximate Understanding”, Research in Language, 15(2), pp. 129-152, https://doi.org/10.1515/rela-2017-0009. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/rela-2017-0009
View in Google Scholar

Lotman, J. (1981), Kunst als Sprache. Untersuchungen zum Zeichencharakter von Literatur und Kunst, (Translated by M. Dewey et al.), Philipp Reclam jun., Leipzig.
View in Google Scholar

Low, P. (2002), “Surtitles for Opera: A Specialised Translating Task”, Babel, 48(2), pp. 97-110, https://doi.org/10.1075/babel.48.2.01low. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1075/babel.48.2.01low
View in Google Scholar

Lörscher, W. (1991), Translation Performance, Translation Process, and Translation Strategies. A Psycholinguistic Investigation, Gunter Narr, Tübingen.
View in Google Scholar

Mackenzie, R. (1998), “Creative Problem-solving and Translator Training”, in: A. Beylard-Ozeroff, J. Králová, B. Moser-Mercer (eds.), Translators’ Strategies and Creativity. Selected Papers from the 9th International Conference on Translation and Interpreting, Prague, September 1995, John Benjamins, Amsterdam−Philadelphia, pp. 201-205, https://doi.org/10.1075/btl.27.27mac. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1075/btl.27.27mac
View in Google Scholar

Mateo, M. (2007), “Reception, Text and Context in the Study of Opera Surtitles”, in: Y. Gambier, M. Schlesinger and R. Stolze (eds.), Doubts and Directions in Translation Studies, John Benjamins, Amsterdam−Philadelphia, pp. 169-182, https://doi.org/10.1075/btl.72.18mat. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1075/btl.72.18mat
View in Google Scholar

Mayoral, R., Kelly, D., Gallardo, N. (1988), “Concept of Constrained Translation. Non-linguistic Perspective on Translation”, Meta, 33(3), pp. 356-367, https://doi.org/10.7202/003608ar. DOI: https://doi.org/10.7202/003608ar
View in Google Scholar

Nord, Ch. (1988), Textanalyse und Übersetzen, Julius Groos, Heidelberg.
View in Google Scholar

Pedersen, J. (2011), Subtitling Norms for Television: An Exploration Focusing on Extralinguistic Cultural References, John Benjamins, Amsterdam−Philadelphia, https://doi.org/10.1075/btl.98. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1075/btl.98
View in Google Scholar

Piotrowska, M. (2007), Proces decyzyjny tłumacza, podstawy metodologii nauczania przekładu pisemnego, Wydawnictwo Naukowe Akademii Pedagogicznej, Kraków.
View in Google Scholar

Pym, A. (2014), Exploring Translation Theories, 2nd Edition, Routledge, New York.
View in Google Scholar

Rędzioch-Korkuz, A. (2016), Opera Surtitling as a Special Case of Audiovisual Translation. Towards a Semiotic and Translation Based Framework for Opera Surtitling, Peter Lang, Frankfurt am Main, https://doi.org/10.3726/978-3-653-06943-3. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3726/978-3-653-06943-3
View in Google Scholar

Shuttleworth, M., Cowie, M. (1997), Dictionary of Translation Studies, St Jerome Publishing, Manchester.
View in Google Scholar

Titford, C. (1982), “Sub-titling: Constrained Translation”, Lebende Sprachen, 27(3), pp. 113-116.
View in Google Scholar

Toury, G. (1995), Descriptive Translation Studies and Beyond, John Benjamins, Amsterdam−Philadelphia, https://doi.org/10.1075/btl.4. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1075/btl.4
View in Google Scholar

Toury, G. (2010), “Translation Problem”, in: Y. Gambier, L. van Doorslaer (eds.), Handbook of Translation Studies, Vol. 2, John Benjamins, Amsterdam−Philadelphia, pp. 169-174.
View in Google Scholar

Toury, G. (2012), Descriptive Translation Studies – and Beyond. Revised Edition, John Benjamins, Amsterdam−Philadelphia, https://doi.org/10.1075/btl.100. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1075/btl.100
View in Google Scholar

Waliński, J. T. (2016), “How to Sneeze off Papers from the Desk in Polish Translation: Re-conceptualization and Approximation at Work”, in: Ł. Bogucki, B. Lewandowska-Tomaszczyk, M. Thelen (eds.), Translation and Meaning. New Series, Vol. 2, Peter Lang, Frankfurt am Main, pp. 85-105.
View in Google Scholar

Whitman-Linsen, C. (1992), Through the Dubbing Glass. The Synchronization of American Motion Pictures into German, French and Spanish, Peter Lang, Frankfurt am Main.
View in Google Scholar