Mouloud Mammeri University - Tizi Ouzou

Faculty of Letters and Languages

Department of English
Level: L2 students
Module: Introduction to translation
Prof.: Mohamed BELMILI

Lecture 01
Translation: Basic definitions
Objective: By the end of this lesson, learners will have a foundational
understanding of key concepts in translation.

I. Introduction
Translation is important for connecting people, sharing knowledge, and
spreading information worldwide. In our globalized world, many countries
and cultures are interlinked through things like trade, politics, or just
sharing their customs. However, there are difficulties in these connections.
One common problem is that people from different countries speak
different languages, making communication less effective.

II. Defining Translation

Activity vs. Product:

The term translation can refer to an activity or a process, a product and

the scholarly field that studies both the activity and the product(s).

In this course, we will explore translation both as an activity or process

and as a final product.

Translation, as an activity, is the process of interpreting the meaning of a

source text and producing an equivalent text in another language, with the
goal of conveying the original message while considering linguistic and
cultural differences. In other words, translation involves understanding the
 meaning of a text in one language and creating an equivalent meaning in
another language. Essentially, translation is a combination of science, art,
and skill. Scientifically, it requires a deep understanding of the structure of
both languages. Artistically, it involves talent in recreating the original
text, and skillfully, it requires the ability to handle challenges in the
translation process.

Translation vs. Interpreting:

It is important to stress that translation specifically involves the transfer of

written texts. In cases where the content is spoken or the medium is oral,
the correct term to use is interpreting or interpretation.

III. The Translation Process

Understanding Source Text:

What makes a translation good is a translator who is equipped with the

appropriate skills and knowledge. A major factor to be considered by
beginner translators is the understanding of the source text’s language,
culture, and intent, which allows them to apply suitable translation
methods and produce an accurate translation that takes into
consideration the target language’s norms.

Creating Target Text: Another major factor that contributes to a good

translation is avoiding literal translation as much as possible because it
often does not serve the intended purpose of the text, speech, or phrases.

IV. Basic Terminology

• Source Language (SL) and Target Language (TL): In translation, the

language from which a text is translated is referred to as the source
 language (SL), and the language into which the text is translated is called
the target language (TL).
• Source Text (ST) and Target Text (TT): The original text is commonly
known as the source text (ST), while the translated text is the target text
(TT).

For instance, in the context of a brochure intended for English-speaking

tourists in Dubai, the terms can be identified as follows:
• Source Language (SL): This would be the original language in which the
brochure was written before being translated for English-speaking tourists.
If the original brochure was written in Arabic, which is the official
language of Dubai, then Arabic would be the source language.
• Target Language (TL): This is the language into which the brochure has
been translated for the intended audience. In this case, since the brochure
is for English-speaking tourists, the target language is English.
• Source Text (ST): This refers to the original content of the brochure as it
was written in the source language (potentially Arabic).
• Target Text (TT): This is the translated content of the brochure that is
presented to English-speaking tourists. It is the English version of the
original brochure.

V. Criteria for a Good Translator

• Language Proficiency: Language proficiency is a fundamental

requirement for translators, as it directly impacts the quality of the
translation. Translators must possess a deep understanding of both the
Source Language (SL) and the Target Language (TL) to effectively convey
the meaning of the text they are translating.
• Cultural Competence: Cultural competence is an essential aspect of
translation that goes beyond mere language proficiency. Being bicultural
 means that translators have a deep understanding and appreciation of the
cultures associated with both the source language (SL) and the target
language (TL). This understanding enables them to navigate cultural
nuances, values, beliefs, and customs that are often embedded in language
use.
• Specialized Knowledge: Specialized knowledge is a critical component of
a translator’s skill set, particularly when dealing with texts that require a
certain level of expertise in a specific field or subject area.
• VI. Criteria for a Good Translation
• Accuracy: The translation must accurately convey the original
meaning from the source language to the target language.
• Clarity: The translated text should be clear and easy to understand,
without ambiguity.
• Consistency: Consistent use of terminology and style throughout
the translation is crucial.
• Cultural Appropriateness: The translation should take into
account cultural nuances and be appropriate for the target audience.
• Fluency: The translation should read smoothly and naturally, as if it
were originally written in the target language.
• Grammatical Correctness: Proper grammar, punctuation, and
spelling are essential for a professional-quality translation.
• Idiomatic Language: The translation should use idiomatic
expressions of the target language where appropriate.
• Preservation of Tone and Style: The tone and style of the original
text should be maintained in the translation.
• Subject Matter Expertise: The translator should have expertise in
the subject matter to ensure accurate and relevant translations."
VII. Conclusion

Translation is not just about converting words from one language to

another; it is about bridging cultures, connecting people, and facilitating
communication across the globe. It is a field that requires a unique blend
of linguistic expertise, cultural understanding, and creative problem-
solving.

References:

• Altarabin, M. (2019). Basics of translation: A textbook for Arab university

students. Cambridge Scholars Publishing.
• Munday, J. (2016). Introducing Translation Studies (4th ed.). Routledge.
• Colina, S. (2015). Fundamentals of Translation (1st ed.). Cambridge
University Press.