Module 5: Classical Middle Period Post

Module 5

Topic: Classical Middle Period Post

Intended Learning Outcomes

After reading this module, you will be able to do these:

1. Trace the development of the principles of translation in four historical

periods.
2. Value the contributions of notable people behind the principles of translation.
3. Share grasped knowledge through graphic organizers.

Essential Questions

With regards to understanding, these are the guideline questions:

1. Why do we have to understand the history of the principles of translation?

2. How did the notable people behind translation formulate the principles that we
use at this modern times?
3. How can those introduced principles change the way we translate one
language into another?

Enduring Understanding

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Antoine Berman has argued that because "reflection on translation has

become an internal necessity of translation itself, the construction of a
history of translation is the first task of a modern theory of translation"
(Berman 1992: 1). To understand the status of text translation that we have today, it
is important that we trace back the past and study how translation principles changed
and developed over the years with the help of some notable proponents.

Essential Learning

Discussions of the theory and practice of translation reach back into

antiquity and show remarkable continuities. The principles of translation developed
from the Classical Middle Period up to the modern times. Here in this module, we will
study such development in its four periods.

I. The First Period (Cicero and Horace from 46 BC to 1792)

Writings on translation go back to the Romans. Jacobsen (1958) claims that

translating is a Roman invention (McGuire, 1980). Cicero and Horace (first century
BC) were the first theorists who distinguished between word-for-word translation and
sense-for-sense translation. Their comments on translation practice influenced the
following generations of translation up to the 20th century. Translated documents
were discovered in the third and the second millennium B.C., in ancient Egypt and in
Iraq. It extends from the statements of Cicero and Horace on translation up to
publication of Alexander Fraser Tytlers Essay on the Principles of Translation in 1791.

Characteristics of the First Period

The main characteristic of this

period is that of immediate empirical

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CICERO
HORACE
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focus, i.e., the statements and theories from the practical work of translating. Both
Horace and Cicero, in their remarks on translation, make an important distinction
between word for word translation and sense for sense translation. The underlying
principle of enriching the native language and literature through translation leads to
stress theasthetic criteria of the target language (TL) product rather than the more
rigid notions of fidelity.

This period concludes by Tytlers definition of good translation as, that in

which the merit of the original work is so completely transfused into another
language, as to be as distinctly apprehended, and as strongly felt, by a native of the
country to which that language belongs, as it is by those who speak the language of
the original work. (in Bell,1991: 11) From the above definition, Tytler introduces
three laws:

1. The translation should give a complete transcript

of the ideas of the original work.
2. The style and manner of writing should be of the
same character with that of original.
3. The translation should have all the ease of
original composition.

TYTLER

II. The Second Period (Friedrich to Valery Larbaud from 1769 to 1946)

This period, according to Steiner, runs up to the forties of the twentieth

century.

Characteristics of the Second Period

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It is characterized as a period of theory and hermeneutic inquiry with the

development of a vocabulary and methodology of approaching translation.

Hermeneutics is an interpretive approach developed by German Romantics,

and named after the Greek word hermeneuein, meaning to understand.

One of the early theorists in this period is the French humanist Etienne Dolet
who had propounded in 1540 a short outline of translation principles, entitled
Lamaniere de bien traduire d unelangue en aultre (How to Translate Well from One
Language into Another) and established five principles for the translator:

1. The translator must fully understand the sense

and meaning of the original author, although he is
at liberty to clarify obscurities
2. The translator should have a perfect knowledge of
both SL and TL.
3. The translator should avoid word-for-word
renderings.
4. The translator should use forms of speech in
common use.
5. The translator should choose and order words
appropriately to produce the correct tone.

Dolets principles, ranked as they in a precise order,

stress the importance of understanding the text as a
primary requisite. His views were reiterated by George
Chapman (559-1634), the great translator of Homer. In
his dedication to the Seven Books (1598) Chapman asserts
that The work of a skillful and worthy translator is to
observe the sentences, figures and forms of speech
CHAPMAN

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proposed in hi s author. He repeats his theory more fully in the Epistle to the Reader
of his translation of The Iliad, (in ibid:59) stating that a translator must:

1. avoid word for word renderings;

2. attempt to reach the spirit of the original;
3. avoid over loose translations, by basing the translation on a sound scholarly
investigation of other versions and glosses.

John Dryden (1631-1700), in his Preface to Ovids

Epistle (1680), tackled the problems of translation by
formulating three basic types:

1. Metaphrase, or turning an author word by word,

and line by line, from one language into another;
2. Paraphrase, or translation with latitude, the
Ciceronian sense-for-sense view of translation;
3. Imitation, where the translator can abandon the
text of the original as he sees fit. Dryden claims to DRYDEN
have steered betwixt the two extremes of
paraphrase and literal translation which he likens to a person dancing on
ropes with fettered legs.(Ibid).
4.
III. The Third Period (Machine Translation to hermeneutic approach 1940 to
1960)

This period, which is the shortest as it extends to less than three decades,
starts with the publication of the first papers on machine translation in the 1940s

Characteristics of the Third Period

Characterized by the introduction of structural and applied linguistics,

contrastive studies in morphology and syntax among others which help the translator
identify similarities and differences between NL and FL, and communication theory
into the study of translation.

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It comprises two eras:

1. the pioneering era (1949-1954); and

2. the invention of the first generation of machine translation.

IV. The Fourth Period (Metaphysical approach to the present time from 1960
onwards)

The last period coexists with the third period as it has its origin in the early
1960s.

Characteristics of the Fourth Period

Characterized by a recourse to hermeneutic inquiries into translation and

interpretation, i.e., by a revision of translation that sets the discipline in a wide frame
which includes a number of other disciplines.

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This contemporary period has

witnessed the emergence of many new
theories such as the polysystem theory,
which has first arisen from the work of group
Russian literary theorists. The concept of the
polysystem has received considerable
attention in the work of certain groups of
translation scholars since the mid-1970s. The
theory offers a general model for
understanding, analyzing and describing the
functions and evolution of literary systems,
its specific application to the study of translated literature. These systems, whether in
the original or translated texts subsume several levels: linguistic, cultural, and social,
all of which overlap and interact with each other.

Skopos theory is another theory which was developed in Germany in the

late 1970s (Vermeer, 1978). It reflects a shift from predominantly linguistic and rather
formal theories to a more functionally and socio-culturally oriented concept of
translation. The word skopos is derived from Greek as a technical term for the
purpose of translation, i.e., skopos which must be defined before translation begins.
The theory endeavors to meet the growing need in the latter half of the twentieth
century for the translation of non-literary texts: scientific, academic papers,
instructions for use, tourist guides, contracts, etc. According to this theory, the
contextual factors surrounding the translation should not be ignored. These factors
include the culture of the intended readers of the target text and the client who
commissioned it, and more significantly the function which the text aspires to perform
in that culture for those readers. Likewise, pragmatics stresses the principle of
intentionality in translation, i.e. significance of the text or the authors intention, and
that the comprehension of the intent, is a vital requisite of translation.

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Assessment Tasks:

Performance-Based Test

Graphic Organizers

Form four groups. Each group will create a graphic organizer illustrating the ideas and
principles formed during the four periods in the history of translation. Make it
informative and creative (you may use art materials).

Group 1: 1ST Period KWHL chart Group 2: 2ND Period Big Question
Map

Group 3: 3RD Period One and All Organizer Group 4: 4 TH Period Characteristics
Map

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Pencil & Paper Test

Identification

Directions: Read the statements carefully and write your answers on the space before
the number.

__________1. They were the first theorists who distinguished between word-for-word
translation and sense-for-sense translation.

__________2. It is believed that translation was an invention of this country.

__________3. He introduced three laws in achieving a good translation.

__________4. It is characterized as a period of theory and hermeneutic inquiry.

__________5. It is the Greek word of the hermeneutics which means to

understand.

__________6. He authored a short outline of principles of translation entitled, How

to Translate Well from One Language into Another.

__________7. He was the great translator of Homer.

__________8. He tackled the problems of translation by formulating three basic

types.

__________9. It is a type of translation where the translator can abandon the text of
the original as he sees fit.

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__________10. It is the period characterized by recourse to hermeneutic inquiries

into translation and interpretation.

Mastery Test

Multiple Choice

Directions: Read the questions carefully and encircle the best answer.

1. They claim that translating works was their invention.

a. Corinthians c. Greeks
b. French d. Romans

2. He authored the Principles of Translation in 1791.

a. Alexander Tytler c. George Chapman
b. Cicero d. John Dryden

3. This period is characterized of immediate empirical focus.

a. First period c. third period
b. Second period d. fourth period

4. The following are Tytlers laws on translation. Which does not belong?
a. The translation should give a complete transcript of the ideas of the original
work.
b. The translation should have a perfect knowledge of both SL and TL.
c. The style and manner of writing should be of the same character with that of
the original.
d. The translation should have all the ease of original composition.

5. This historical period is characterized with theory and hermeneutic inquiry with
the development of a vocabulary and method of approaching translation.
a. First period c. third period
b. Second period d. fourth period

6. It is an interpretative approach developed by German Romantics.

a. Harmeneutics c. harmaneutics
b. Hermaneutics d. hermeneutics

7. Dolets principles for the translator are ranked in a precise order. Which
principle is ranked first?
a. The translator should avoid word-for-word renderings.
b. The translator must fully understand the sense and meaning of the original
author.

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c. The translator should have a perfect knowledge of both SL and TL.

d. The translator should give a transcript of the ideas of the original work.

8. Avoiding word-for-word renderings is a common principle of two theorists in

the history of translation. Who are those theorists?
a. Chapman and Dolet c. Dryden and Tytler
b. Dolet and Dryden d. Tytler and Chapman

9. He tackled the problems of translation by formulating its three basic types.

a. Alexander Tytler c. George Chapman
b. Etienne Dolet d. John Dryden

10. It means turning an author word by word and line by line from one language
into another.
a. Imitation c. Paraphrase
b. Metaphrase d. Polysystem

11. It means translation of latitude, the Ciceronian sense-for-sense view of

translation.
a. Imitation c. Paraphrase
b. Metaphrase d. Polysystem

12. It is when translator can abandon the text of the original as he sees fit.
a. Imitation c. Paraphrase
b. Metaphrase d. Polysystem

13. Dryden likens this type of translation to a person dancing on ropes with
fettered legs.
a. Imitation c. Paraphrase
b. Metaphrase d. Polysystem

14. This historical period is characterized by introduction of structural and applied

linguistics contrasting studies in morphology and syntax.
a. First period c. third period
b. Second period d. fourth period

15. The third period comprises the pioneering era and the invention of what?
a. Dictionary c. Text Printing
b. Machine translation d. none of the choices

16. This period is characterized by recourse to hermeneutic inquiries into

translation and interpretation.
a. First period c. third period
b. Second period d. fourth period

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17. This period is characterized by emergence of many new theories of translation.

a. First period c. third period
b. Second period d. fourth period

18. Which is not true about the polysystem theory?

a. It first arose from the work of a group of Russian literary theorists.
b. It offers a general model for understanding, analyzing and describing the
function and evolution of literary systems
c. It endeavors to meet the growing need in the latter half of 20 th century for the
translation of literary texts.
d. It received considerable attention in the work of certain groups of translation
scholars since 1970s.

19. Pragmatics stresses the principle of intentionality in translation. Which of the

following doesnt apply in this principle?
a. The authors intention
b. The translators intention
c. The intention or significance of the text
d. Comprehension of the intent

20. It reflects a shift from predominantly linguistic and rather formal theories to a
more functionally and socio-culturally oriented concept of translation.
a. Imitation c. Polysystem Theory
b. Metaphase d. Skopos Theory

Readings:

Book Sources

English: a reviewer for the licensure examination for teachers (PNU)

Focus: Translation and Editing of Text; pp. 305 328

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By: Dr. Florencia F. Marquez

Electronic Sources

Brady, et al., 2004; A short history of western translation theory ; Retrieved on July 8,
2016 from:

http://www.textjournal.com.au/april04/aveling.htm

Prof. As Safi; Translation theories, strategies and basic theoretical issues ; Retrieved
on June 22, 2016 from:

http://www.academia.edu/6395785/Translation_Theories_Strategies_And_Basi
c_Theoretical_Issues

Wikipedia; Translation western theory; Retrieved on July 8, 2016 from:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Translation

Images

http://theteachersdigest.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/History.png

http://www.philosophybasics.com/photos/cicero.jpg

http://www.crystalinks.com/horaceyoung.jpg

http://www.electricscotland.com/history/nation/images/tytler_fraser.jpg

http://lastdayspast.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/100_3162.jpg

http://www.bm-lyon.fr/expo/09/dolet/images/img/pres5pt.jpg

https://hankwhittemore.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/chapman.jpg

http://www.theimaginativeconservative.org/wp-
content/uploads/2013/06/John_Dryden_NSRW.jpg

http://www.seasite.niu.edu/trans/articles/Translation%20Theory%20and
%20Practice_files/mbt.gif

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