The Process of Translation & Translator Training Courses
By Alireza Yazdunpanuh,
Allameh Tabataba-ee University, Iran
yazdunpanuh_alireza@yahoo.com
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The practical part of the translation practice, practically
begins when a text is read/heard by the translator/interpreter.
He/she, then, starts comprehending it, during which
each translator/interpreter takes it in his/her own
more or less unique way, i.e. there is a mysterious
"black box" in him/her which determines
which aspect of the text is more prominent, which
part plays a more important role in the overall conveyance
of the message involved, which word(s) carry a stronger
sense etc.
Once the text (or a part of it) is transmitted into
the "black box", then a sort of "piece
of knowledge" is formed within that mysterious
"black box". We have already presupposed
that the "box" exist within the mind of
the translator/interpreter; so, implicitly he/she
is able to put that piece of knowledge into a new
form called "the target language text".
His/her success crucially (if not totally) depends
on two factors:
I. His/her competency (as Chomsky
puts it) in both of the languages involved;
II. His/her mental agility.
Both of these factors are somehow characteristics
of the same mysterious "black box". There
is also an element of creativity involved in, but
its role is much less considerable than, let's say
in writing.
That is the time, when the "box" (about
inside of which we know almost nothing) starts "emanating"
the new text.
Again, here each individual translator/interpreter
has his/her own more or less unique "black-box"
characteristics, determining which aspect to sacrifice,
e.g. form over content or vice versa, which part to
emphasize on etc.
Conclusion
To contribute to the natural process of evolution
of a quality translator/interpreter, we should "help"
the box in some ways:
1. Reinforce its competency in both
of the two languages.
2. Ask the trainee to translate and
translate and translate/to interpret and interpret
and interpret.
3. Ask the trainee to translate/interpret
in teams headed and supervised by highly qualified
and experienced translators/interpreters.
4. Ask the trainee to translate/interpret
in some uncontrolled critical random situations,
where there is no help whatsoever, to stimulate
his/her mental agility and creativity.
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