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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