This document discusses the definition and essence of paraphrasing. It defines paraphrasing as rendering the full meaning of a discourse into one's own words in a clearer, uncomplicated version. Care must be taken to avoid introducing errors when rewording. The document also discusses the differences between related terms like translation, transliteration, interpretation, register and style. Finally, it notes that paraphrasing requires background knowledge on the subject to avoid putting unofficial words in the author's mouth, though some changes to the original essence are unavoidable.
This document discusses the definition and essence of paraphrasing. It defines paraphrasing as rendering the full meaning of a discourse into one's own words in a clearer, uncomplicated version. Care must be taken to avoid introducing errors when rewording. The document also discusses the differences between related terms like translation, transliteration, interpretation, register and style. Finally, it notes that paraphrasing requires background knowledge on the subject to avoid putting unofficial words in the author's mouth, though some changes to the original essence are unavoidable.
This document discusses the definition and essence of paraphrasing. It defines paraphrasing as rendering the full meaning of a discourse into one's own words in a clearer, uncomplicated version. Care must be taken to avoid introducing errors when rewording. The document also discusses the differences between related terms like translation, transliteration, interpretation, register and style. Finally, it notes that paraphrasing requires background knowledge on the subject to avoid putting unofficial words in the author's mouth, though some changes to the original essence are unavoidable.
THE ESSENCE OF PARAPHRASING Imagine yourself in this scenario. A child of about 5 years old approaches you asking Why is the sky blue? You certainly wouldnt answer them with explanations of the Tyndall effect, Rayleigh scattering and all those other mumbo jumbo. You would most likely remind them of the colors they see in a rainbow then tell them that light has the same colors as a rainbow but the color blue is the one which is spread the most so the sky blue. Most likely using crayons and even drawing in order to explain it better. Do you know that you are now paraphrasing? But, what really is the definition of paraphrasing? A paraphrase is a kind of translation from one register of language to another that renders more transparent the full meaning of a discourse. A paraphrase is an indication of ones level of comprehension and ability to incorporate into ones own words the views, ideas or information of a given discourse or multiple discourses. Given that definition, a paraphrase should be easier to understand since the selection has been transformed into a clearer, uncomplicated version of itself (Dadufalza, 2014, p. 335). Though, of course, you should take into account that by rewording you may introduce errors into the selection if you are not careful in its translation. Expounding on the definition of paraphrasing, translation differs from transliteration and interpretation. Ortlepp (2010) defined translation as the representation of words and phrases of one language to words and sentences of another. In contrast, he defined transliteration as the copying a word in one language by substituting the alphabet of the original word with the alphabet of another. Which differs from his definition of interpretation, the explanation of the thoughts behind the phrase or sentence by using the same language or another (Ortlepp, 2010, pp. 35-36, 62). Translation isnt the only term that can be expounded. The term register has a different meaning from what we generally know of it. Register and styles usually are interchanged with one another. However, according to Lee (2001): Register has typically been used in a very uncritical fashion, to invoke ideas of "appropriateness" and "expected norms," as if situational parameters of language use have an unquestionable, natural association with certain linguistic features and that social evaluations of contextual usage are given rather than conventionalised and contested. (Lee, 2001, p. 47)
Running Head: THE ESSENCE OF PARAPHRASING
2 Which differs from style, which according to Lee (2001) we should use the term style to characterise the internal properties of individual texts or the language use by individual authors, with "formality" being perhaps the most important and fundamental one. Now we can see that styles refer to the innate structure of the text while register refers to the situational use of the text. Communication can be defined as the process of transmitting information and common understanding from one person to another (Keyton, 2011). (as cited in Lunenburg, 2010). It has two forms, verbal and nonverbal. Language falls into the verbal form of communication which is the communication form which individuals communicate with each other by language or written language characters. Nonverbal communication is the way people convey messages by other methods aside from language and characters (Wang, 2009, p. 155). According to Carol (1953), A language is a structured system of arbitrary vocal sounds and sequences of sounds which is used, or can be used, in interpersonal communication by an aggregation of human beings. Which differs from dialect, a speech community's system of common linguistic traits (Carroll, 1953, p. 10). Language is what distinguishes us humans from the rest of the species here on Earth. Given all these, we now know what paraphrasing is. We also know the meanings of its terms so we wont get confused. Paraphrasing is different from prcising. And is totally different from outlining. In paraphrasing, it is advised that one has a background on the subject to be paraphrased in order to steer away from putting unofficial words into the authors mouth if you are careless. Though, it will most likely be unavoidable. Just be careful and try your best not to completely erase the essence of the original discourse. Good luck in paraphrasing! And may the odds be ever in your favor.
Running Head: THE ESSENCE OF PARAPHRASING
3 References Carroll, J. (1953). The Study of Language. Cambridge: Harvard University Press. Dadufalza, C. D. (2014). Reading into Writing I. Makati City, Philippines: The Bookmark. Lee, D. (2001). Genres, Registers, Text Types, Domains, and Styles: Claryfying the Concepts and Navigating a Path through the BNC Jungle. Language Learning & Technology, 5(3), 37-72. Retrieved December 1, 2014, from http://www.llt.msu.edu/vol5num3/pdf/lee.pdf Lunenburg, F. C. (2010). Communication: The Process, Barriers, and Improving Effectiveness. SCHOOLING, 1(1), 1-11. Retrieved December 1, 2014, from http://www.nationalforum.com/Electronic%20Journal%20Volumes/Lunenburg,%20Fred %20C,%20Communication%20Schooling%20V1%20N1%202010.pdf Ortlepp, S. (2010). Introduction to the Interlinear Bible. Retrieved November 30, 2014, from http://books.google.com.ph/books? id=JDZ_AgAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover&vq=translation#v=onepage&q=translation&f=false Wang, H. (2009). Nonverbal Communication and the Effect on Interpersonal Communication. Asian Social Science, 5(11), 155-159. Retrieved December 1, 2014, from http://www.ccsenet.org/journal/index.php/ass/article/viewFile/4196/3633