Equivalence 20.03 ok + 27

Dictionary definition of equivalence

the quality of state of being alike: the quality or state of having a similar value, function, meaning

equivalence as an essential feature of translation theories

1960s and 1970s - to indicate that ST and TT share the same kind of sameness

Equivalence is a procedure in which

the same situation is replicated as in the original, but different wording is used.

Jean Paul Viney and Jean Darbelnet (1958)’ Comparative Stylistics of French and English; A Methodology for Translation’

- A comparative stylistic analysis of different translation techniques and procedures - Direct (literal translation – word for word) - Oblique translation (free translation – cense for sense translation methods)

types of equivalence by Eugene Nida

formal equivalence & dynamic equivalence

formal equivalence

word-for-word translation (translating the meanings of words and phrases in a more literal way)

dynamic equivalence

sense-for-sense translation (translating the meanings of phrases or whole sentences) with readability in mind

To achieve the most faithful translation of grammatical units, the translator will translate:

1- A noun into a noun & a verb into verb 2- Does not change sentence boundaries 3- Does not change paragraphs or the punctuation, etc

a dynamic equivalence requires adaptation of

1. Grammar 2. Vocabulary 3. Cultural references

NIDA CONCLUSION: the product of translation process (the texting in the TL) must have

same impact on the different readers it was addressing.

John Catford ‘A linguistic Theory of Translation’,1995

• Introduction of types and shifts of translation

Catfords 3 criteria of considering translation:

the extent of translation, the grammatical rank, the levels of language

1. The extent of translation

full translation vs partial translation

2. The grammatical rank

at which the translation equivalence is established (rank- bound translation vs unbounded translation)

3. The levels of language involved in translation

total translation vs restricted translation

In rank bound translation an equivalent is

sought in the TL, notion of literal translation or word for word translation

In unbounded translation equivalences are

achieved at sentence, clause, and other levels