2.2.1 Translation Ethics
Ethics is the moral dimension of human behavior, which could regularize people’s actions, and lead individual make appropriate choices when coping with others. Translation is a sophisticated practical activity, and a regulatory social behavior (Guo, 2014). Translation is involved with diverse factors, including language and culture, author and translator, sponsor and reader. Leading the translation process, translators are supposed to manage relationship between subject and object (Guo, 2014), which requires guidance and constraint by ethics. In 1980s, the French translation theorist Antonie Berman propounded the theory of “translation ethics”. He regarded the respect for source text, language and cultural differences in between two languages as “appropriate ethical
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The translation ethics proposed by Berman places focus on converting “self” through communicating with others. With the purpose of pursuing cultural diversity and protruding language and cultural differences within source text, American structuralism translation theorist, Lwerene Venuti, proposed an assertion of promoting cultural renewal and transformation, which is called “ethics of difference” (1998). Anthony Pym addressed the issue of inter-subject responsibility and power and provided the concept of “interculturality” (2001). Then, Andrew Chesterman put forward “five models” on translation ethics from the perspective of interpersonal and intercultural communication, which includes ethics of representation, ethics of service, ethics of communication, norm-based ethics, ethics of commitment (2001). Systematically and thoroughly summarized previous studies (Chen, 2012), Chesterman’s theory has brought translation research up to a new level (Guo, 2014), among which, ethics of communication, places extra emphasis on communicative functions of languages and interpersonal communication (2001) with the aim to improve relationships between source
When I consider my interpersonal relationships and connect a scenario that I believe is a common interpersonal communication ethics challenges for several individuals, it is Attentiveness; finding common ground, or agreeing. (Arnett et. al, 2008, p. 131)
Salman Rushdie once said, “The word 'translation' comes, etymologically, from the Latin [word] for 'bearing across'. Having been borne across the world, we are translated men. It is normally supposed that something always gets lost in translation; I cling, obstinately to the notion that something can also be gained.”
Intra-cultural relations are historically filled with conflict; and to deal with this conflict: Gloria Anzaldua’s concepts of opposing cultures and language barriers, John Locke’s Equality theory, and Kwame Anthony Appiah’s global citizenship theory explores the issue and works towards better relations. According to Anzaldua, people are not of one culture, but in several cases, several clashing, distinct cultures. Anzaldua argues that language is part of our identity, and it is a barrier between cultures, sometimes even our own. While Locke argues, we are all created equal, we may not be treated equal. Once society can deal with these problems, it can move forward towards Kwame Anthony Appiah’s global citizenship theory.
Language is the skill created in order to communicate with others. In the essay “Translating Translation: Finding the Beginning” by Alberto Alvaro Rios, the author demonstrates his interpretation of language and translation. In “Learning to Read and Write” by Frederick Douglass he explain his own hardships in trying to learn to communicate. Rios focuses more on translations of language, while Douglass expands on the struggle to learn the language. In both essays, the authors give their own experience with communication.
This text is a good reference point. This text is used to understanding communication within culture. This source also gave a better understanding
Our language, narrowed down to its very structure, can provide us with clues as to how our ethics manifests itself in the words we speak. Our language serves as a representation of our thoughts
I don’t think they acted in an ethical manner. They were communicating for the disabled children and making crazy allegations on their behalf. It was mentioned that they didn’t realize they were influencing the disabled person so much, but they had to have some knowledge of what they were doing.
Translation holds just as much value to the study of humanities and social sciences as language does by itself. Without proper translation of language, the entire message of the original story can be skewed, therefor changing it for all of time. Jorge Luis Borges (“Translators of The Thousand and One Nights”) gives a great example of this as he depicts the different variations of translation methods of The Thousand and One Nights. He speaks about how each interpreter can leave the recipient of the story with a different message. He goes on to share how some translators focus on the physical settings, some focus on the details (minute details or even a romanticized version), and some are just a pathetic depiction of the original story. The latter is made apparent by Borges openly claiming Galland’s version of The Thousand and One Nights as the weakest out of every version of translation. (Borges 93) If I were the original author or teller of a story, I would want to make sure that the intended significance of my work is captured in the future. We must make sure we respecting our past in this same way. For the future of humanities and social sciences to be successful, we must make sure that we are utilizing our verbal and written language skills to pass our knowledge
Some linguists claim that dealing with the process of finding equivalence is the most significant issue existing among translation processes and that is one of the mains principles of Western theory of translation. Translation is a mean of communication and in order for it to be effective it is crucial to establish appropriate equivalence between source and target text. Nida defines translation as “reproducing in the receptor language the closest natural equivalent of the source-language message, first in terms of meaning and secondly in terms of style”. (Nida, 1982, p. 12) It is conspicuous that equivalence is one of basic concepts of translation which cannot be overlooked. This complex phenomenon often becomes a measure which helps to define the process of translation. Number of researches stress on the important role of the equivalence for the translation process and it is hard to hard to overestimate the role of equivalence in translation. Use of equivalence translation help people to understand each other and enables achieving communication goals. Achieving maximum linguistic, grammar and structural equivalence is inevitably linked with certain restrictions and limitations but the skilful use of equivalents can undoubtedly benefit the results of translation act. Despite different approaches, the equivalence is an important
Language, culture and individual personal attributes are all things we consider when describing what identity is and how it is influenced. Culture influences many aspects of an individual's life such as traditions, belief systems, norms, personal values and more. A language is a form of expression, it also reveals a person's origins such as what country they are from. Both culture and language shape a person's identity and can make an individual feel as though they belong. Translations by Friel not only does a great job of demonstrating the importance of language and cultural identity but also shows how easily both can be stripped from a society.
Previous researchers have found that for a person to achieve better and more effective communication competence, it is necessary to develop skills that allow an appropriate participation in specific situations. The ability to listen, ask questions, and express concepts or ideas effectively is an important part of communication competence. Intercultural communication presents an unexplored and challenging field that needs to be understood for a better development in communication. (Dillon and McKenzie, 1998). The variables of listening depend on the different perceptions that a person obtains through their cultural background. Furthermore, culture often affects the structure of consciousness in the act of listening. When a person seeks to
Intercultural communication: A discourse approach attempts to explain the discourse approach and points to the authors ' distinction between cross-cultural communication and intercultural communication. The chapter underlines the authors ' approach and theory to intercultural communication. It covers several explanations and the distinction between cross-cultural communication and intercultural communication. The chapter discusses the many varieties of culture that exist. It also clarifies that intercultural communication can occur in conversations not necessarily when two people are from different countries.
Intercultural communication competence refers to the ability of an individual to adapt and communicate appropriately and effectively across a wide array of cultural contexts. That is to say, for an individual to be considered an intercultural communicator they must understand other’s cultures as well as they understand their own, and apply this understanding to communication (Chen 1-2). With the increasing diversity at the workplace, school and other social settings, it has become increasingly important to learn how to communicate with people from a diverse array of cultures. More importantly, adapting to a more effective intercultural communication competence model provides us with learning opportunities occasioned by the interaction with people from other backgrounds. The intercultural communication competence model comes with some key components including tolerance for uncertainty, self-knowledge, and motivation. The greatest and most important of these aspects is motivation. An individual must be willing to foster relationships with people from a different cultural background. If an individual lacks the willingness to promote intercultural relationships, then other aspects of the intercultural communication model become moot.
The second half of the last century have seen a great advance in translation field ( translation studies discipline ). Which make many translation scholars emphasis on the importantce of knowing the translation theory for the translators since the translation studies become a discipline.Mona Baker stats”
Daniel Gouadec (2002: 273) said in Translation as a Profession that "most translation problems and potential risks could be resolved by getting as much information as possible prior to a translation project". As to the translation project in this report, I made preparation in the following aspects: