FACOLTÀ DI STUDI UMANISTICI Lingue e culture per la mediazione linguistica Traduzione LESSON 2. Prof.ssa Olga Denti a.a

Transcription

1 FACOLTÀ DI STUDI UMANISTICI Lingue e culture per la mediazione linguistica Traduzione LESSON 2 Prof.ssa Olga Denti a.a

2 Language functions & translation What words come to your mind when talking about language functions & translation?

3 Topic of this lesson The pragmatic aspects of translation The interaction of language forms and functions within & across language boundaries, in relation to the addresser s aims and text communicative purpose Austin & Searle (language microfunctions) Jakobsons s lg macrofunctions: referential, emotive, conative, poetic, metalingual, phatic Werlich s text types Consequences for the process of translation

4 Introduction From the SL to the TL: knowledge of both lgs, of their formal and functional levels and of how they interact, of the ST in its linguistic and extralinguistic contexts and its transmission into the TT Example: Ulrich 1992: 31 Dove vuoiche vada? Ø Where should I go? Ø Where do you want me to go? Ø Where do you expect me to go? Ø Where do you think I m going? -> What is her purpose? How do we translate incorporating it?

5 Language functions (1) Language is used to reach diverse purposes J. Austin (1962) speech acts: ØLocutionary literal meaning ØIllocutionary communicative force ØPerlocutionary effect/reaction in the addressee/recipient

6 Language functions (2) Searle s (1969, 1976) taxonomy of speech acts (microfunctions): Speech Acts Purpose Types Representatives representation Stating, telling, insisting Expressives stance Deploring, admiring Verdictives assessment Assessing, estimating Directives ask for action on the Ordering, requesting, warning, receiver s part prohibiting, daring Commissives commitment Promising, vowing, pledging Declarations declaration Blessing, baptizing, dismissing

7 The role of the translator The translator à the receiver of the ST à the sender of the TL Equivalence of content and intention (conceptual meaning and illocutionary force) Relationship between form & function: Vuol leggere o non vuol leggere? ØNot offering an alternative ØFormality hides a threat

8 Therefore 1. Are you going to read o not? 2. Are you going to read or aren t you? 3. Do you want to read or don t you? 4. Ha intenzione v ha voglia Ø To misconstrue or misinterpret the illocutionary force of the utterance is to mistranslate and misrepresent the author s actual intent (Ulrich 1992: 35)

9 As translators: text as a whole, equivalence of illocutionary structure: 1. Breaking down discourse in constituent speech acts 2. Rendering them in the TL as a whole (as interrelating chains of acts) Example: public directives: requests, commands, warnings, prohibitions, built through passives, modal verbs, imperatives, the determiner no, the impersonal infinitive form, etc. The use of different structures for the same function

10 Jakobson s act of verbal communication CONTEXT ADDRESSER MESSAGE ADDRESSEE CONTACT CODE Aspects of the discourse situation -> macrofunctions of language and structures

11 Macrofunctions (Jakobson 1960) REFERENTIAL EMOTIVE POETIC CONATIVE PHATIC METALINGUAL

12 Emotive f.: internal states and emotions of the addresser (1 st p. I, interjections, personal style) Conative f.: aims at influencing the internal states and emotions of the addressee (2 nd p. you, vocative & imperative Referential f.: informative function (3 rd p., objects, events, facts in the context; nominalisation, premodification, passives, stative verbs; less formal, 1 st p.p. & dynamic active verbs)

13 Poetic f.: aesthetic f., the form of the message (sound-effect, rhythm, figurative language, phonological resemblance) as a crucial part of the messagemeaning & force Examples: political slogans, ads, sayings. Phatic f.: sets contact between the addresser and the addressee (opening and checking the channel of communication) Examples: Can you hear me?, Well, here we are. I see. Metalingual f.: attention on the code to clarify or re-negotiate it (Ulrich 29), e.g. what do you mean?

14 In terms of translation (1) Close to text types & discourse genres Writer s communicative purpose Ø Choice of language for the TL version Although multifunctional, one predominant function & typology ü Emotive (expressive) function -> author-centred (author s feelings) - Characterised by: author s personal style + idiosyncrasies -> intact translation - Ex.: literary texts, autobiographies, speeches, author s prefaces, personal correspondence

15 ü Referential (informative) function -> contentcentred (information provided) - Not the author s feelings but the content in an accurate & appropriate way - Ex.: textbooks, technical reports, scientific articles üconative (vocative) function -> reader-centred (affecting the reader s behaviour) - Ex.: Advertising, propaganda, official recommendations, polemical & persuasive writing - Use of lg geared towards the receiver of the TT. TL conventions + pragmatic equivalence bet ST & TT - Use of formality in addressing people: you < tu, Lei, loro

16 In conclusion, types of texts, predominant function Focus: author, information, reader Denotative, neutral, connotative lg Polemical, persuasive, authoritative judgmental (warnings, recommendations, advice) Thus, Expressive text SL-oriented (personal component), Informative text text-oriented (accurate and intelligible messageto the intended TT reader), Vocative text TL-oriented (comprehensible + warning, recommending, instructing, persuading)

17 In terms of translation (2) ü Poetic (aesthetic) function -> centred on form of the message (sensitivity to stylistic aspects (phonologicalfeatures, rhythm & rhyme - To be relayed into the TT or through some compensation strategies üphatic function -> socialisation contact set up - Standard phrases standard equivalents - Ex. Openings & closings of official correspondence

18 ü Metalingual function - Ex.: Standard terminology as lexicographic annotations in dictionaries, explanations, descriptions in grammar books or lg textbooks - Clarifying or re-negotiating the code The identification of text types & genres builds expectations on the lg content. The translator may make hypotheses & lexical, grammatical, syntactic choices in a smoother way

19 Rhetorical functions Next step: what rhetorical functions has the SL writer used? Persuasion by: narrating, describing, arguing & counter-arguing, instructing, exposing Werlich s dominant contextual focus (the predominantfunction ofthetext) Lg MARKERS identify each text type Translator s aid to select linguistic features in the TL

20 Werlich s text types The textual organisation of the domain is reflected in the way linear relations develop: they stand for temporal, causal, spatial, or social relations between referents in theworld described by that text (Ramm 2000, 156). Narrative, descriptive, expository, instructive and argumentative

21 Narrative text types Ex. My itinerary was a 3 day one, during the peak of summer in Mid July. The 1st night I stayed in Pisa, from memory the last train from Pisa central to Monterrosso was at 9.30pm and to be conservative I did not think I would arrive in time to make the train. (JD Chronicles) Historic/temporal factual or conceptual events, action-recording sentences. Events and participants are chronologically portrayed through temporal circumstances or participant roles.

22 Narration is often agent-oriented. Narration refers to the development of the trip through the use of predicate verbs such as start and change. Facts develop along an itinerary: we spotted, we did not, we continued, we came across, etc. Adverbials of place but especially of time are frequent. 1 st ps + simple past. The report as the most formal one From positions and directions in space, to technical objective descriptions

23 By means of a judicious mixture of concessions and tax relief, Eleonora brought the country under control within a few months. Her popularity increased when, in 1392, she published the Carta de Logu, a written constitution (Insight Guide 2001: 49) In 1478 yet another Sardinian dream of maintaining the island s independence was shattered near the little town of Macomer, which lies some 15 km (810 miles) further southwards. (ibid.:226)

24 Descriptive text types Analysis of places, people and relations (subject matter), by the use of spatial chaining strategies indicated by spatial positions in the sentence. Spatial circumstances occupy the theme position Descriptions range from technical, objective neutral properties to, and more frequently, attitudinal and evaluative/hyperbolic, metaphorical, comparative and evocative viewpoints Subjective impressions of relations and qualities, impressionistic descriptions. Adverbials of place to reinforce the style.

25 There s only so much panini, pizza and pasta you could stomach everyday so we went to a Chinese restaurant just downstairs our hostel for dinner. The food was not bad but we had the most ridiculous fried wantan here, which was a deep fried ravioli actually lol (vkeong). Use of the simple past + simple present of static or motion verbs (not leading to a change) is existential (e.g., There s) and shows timelessness. We may get a vivid image of the writer s experience. Use of 1 st p and of a non-personal third p.

26 Following Via Cagliari, 3 km south of Oristano is the suburb of Santa Giusta, named for a local martyr and her church, set in a fine position on a low hill, in front of a little park incongruously lit by street lamps from a Jetson cartoon. (2002: 126) Dominating a high point in the centre of Santa Giusta, virtually a satellite of Oristano just 3km south on the Stagno di Santa Giusta lagoon, is the proud basilica of the same name. (Lonely Planet 2003: 177) Three kilometres south of Oristano, eucalyptus woods round the Stagno di Santa Giusta provide shade for picnics and birdwatchers. (Rough Guide 2002: 175)

27 Instructive text type Stages to be followed by the reader, constructed through sequential chaining strategies of temporal circumstances or processes. People and objects are related through intended future behaviour (Bondi 1999: 16). The reader is expected to follow the steps: Start out at the FORK WHERE THE SURFACED ROAD ENDS by following the gravel track to the right. ( ) Cross the bridge, go up the opposite embankment for a few paces. And turn right at the junction. Now follow (Flower Landscapes2001: 70) Recipes, instructions or prescriptions Bring your binoculars: the lagoons are flamingo heaven you ll find blinds where you can watch them (Cadogan Guide 2003: 157)

28 An evident future behaviour, an actiondemanding sentence, constructed through sequential chaining strategies of temporal circumstances or processes. The reader is expected to follow the steps, through the use of the imperative form, e.g., Trust me, always remember, the passive voice and modal verbs. Would is used to give advice and when history is uncertain; must shows evaluation, e.g. must be painful ; will is employed when giving recommendations and introducing the following site on the itinerary, as in you will need to spend at least three good hours to see, you will also see.

29 If clauses are employed with the same purpose: persuasion. Directions are followed on the authority of practical validity The point of view may be subjective, as in instructions, or objective, as in directions and regulations. It is expressed through the 1 st person or the 2 nd person

30 Argumentative text type Present, through the use of through- and counter-argument patterns, and of a conjunctive theme: Summer would be the best time to see Rome, when the temperature is at an average 25 C and the weather is calmer too. But that is also during the tourism peak season so plan your trip early, especially the accommodation part. (vkeong) Attitudes sustained in relation with their opposites. Recommendation is often introduced by expressions such as It is advisable, would be the best time

31 Dripping with washing strung across the balconies, many of the high blocks are run-down and don t admit much light, though the lack of fuss or traffic makes for an agreeable stroll through the long alleys (2002: 73) Although Poetto may do for a morning dip or an evening out, it probably won t meet your requirements for the perfect beach and you don t need to go very far from Cagliari to find something nearer the mark. (ibid.:94)

32 Typical expressions are opinion verbs, or expressions of intention, decision, expectations and beliefs. Expectations may not be fulfilled: But honestly most of the food did not really suit our tastebuds, and I am not a drinker so I wasn t able to appreciate their wine too. So, only the spicy roast pork managed to leave us with a memorable taste. (vkeong, 2010, Rome). Negative sentences and contrastive expressions Five types of argumentative style: informal, ironical, appreciatory, depreciatory, and persuasive (1 st p. s. & present tense)

33 Expository text type Generic concepts are dealt with, as well as the definition or explanation, along various degrees of subjectiveness (through characterisation specified by participant roles) Ideas and impressions are summarised from constituent elements of concepts, ideas or impressions, or analysed into their constituent elements The writer presentation of statement & stance aims at persuading the reader and generate consensus Verbs are often in the present tense, passive voice and impersonal forms Five styles: the formal, the comparative, the informal, the illustrative, and the technical/formal ones.

34 For the translator Understanding the dominant contextual focus to understand how the text is manipulated & its main lg markers Identification of the lg function for the creation and reception of coherent discourse and for successful communication and translation (Ulrich 64) Interpretation of SL writer, matching them w the linguistic features of the TL to achieve the same effect in the TT