2.

Theoretical Approaches in Translation

2.1 Translation Process

Translation is the transmittal of written text from one language into another.
Translation is the action of interpretation of the meaning of a text, and subsequent production
of an equivalent text, also called a translation, that communicates the same message in
another language (Dejica, 2012).

All translation implies a process or series of steps and decisions to be performed of

taken (Dejica, 2012:150). The translator is mainly a messanger. Thus a translation may be
understood as the process whereby a message which is expressed in a particular source
language is linguistically transformed in order to be understood by reader of the target
language. Actually, the translator is conveying the meaning expressed by the original writer
so the end reader gets a translated text that is faithful to the source text in the meaning (Dejica,
2012).

In translation studies, the translation process is usually represented either in a two-

phase or in a three-phase model.

The two-phase model represents translation as a process consisting of two

chronologically sequential phases, namely analysis (in other terminologies, decoding or
comprehension phase) and synthesis (encoding, decoding or comprehension phace). In the
first phase, the translator reads the source text, analyzing all its relevant aspects. In the
second phase, the ST meaning or sense is reverbalized in the target language. This means
that by using meaning and sense as a tertium comparationis, the translator chooses the
corresponding TL signs to match the SL signs. (Nord, 1988:34)

Wilss considers the two-phase model to be more concise than the three-phase model,
which contains transfer as a third phase inserted between analysis and synthesis. In his
opinion, the two-phase model brings out more clearly the double R1/S2 function of the
translator, i.e his role as ST receiver and TT sender, and depicts the activity of the
translator in a more true-to-life way (Wilss 1982:80).

The three-phase model has the intermediate phase for transfer operations, which is not
present in the two-phase model and which is inserted between the comprehension phase and
the reconstruction phase, so that the translation process is divided into three steps analysis
(decoding, comprehension phase), transfer (transcoding), and synthesis (recording) (Nord
2005: 35).

That is to say, the translator first analyzes the message of the SOURCE language into
its simplest and structurally clearest forms, transfers it at this level, and then restructures it
to the level of the RECEPTOR language which is most appropriate for the audience which
he intends to reach (Nida 1975: 79f.).

This particular model implies a deeper understanding of the source text, introducing a
rudiment of what the functionalists call text function (Superceanu, 2009).

In addition, Mercedes Trics refers to intuition, or common sense as the most common
of all senses; in other words, making use of that sixth sense, a combination of intelligence,
sensitivity and intuition. This phenomenon works very well if handled cautiously:
...the transfer process is a difficult and complex approach mechanism,
one in which one must make use of all one's intellectual capacity, intuition
and skill (Trics, 1995).

The functionalists (Nord, 1991) proposed the looping model, a four-phase model, the
central concept being the skopos, the purpose which the target text is intended to serve. This
central element of the model establishes the translators priorities during his task: translation
method, techniques, lexical units and grammatical structures. Therefore, the phases of this
model are: the analysis of the text skopos or purpose, the source text analysis, the transfer
and the target text synthesis (Superceanu, 2009).
 The functionalists consider translation to be a circular process heading from the target
text purpose as the starting point, continuing with source text analysis and the transfer of the
source text relevant elements and reaching the production of the TT. This process is
considered recursive because it consists of an infinite number of loops. These loops take
place between the source-text situation and the ST, the target-text situation and the TT
(Superceanu, 2009:26).

2.2 Choice of Translation Model

For translating the text, I have chosen the looping model, also called the four-phase
model, as first described by Poincar in 1913, because its circular structure ensures a
permanent bond between the ST and the TT, and the cultural, linguistic and grammatical
aspects are permanently in sight of the translator, in order for the translation to be of good
quality.

I find this translation model to be a positive approach to learning that comes from the
relationship between previous knowledge and new knowledge (Poincar, 1913) and this
gives this model the advantages of clarifying the analysis enabling the reasearcher to
design cleat and reduced scales; and methodological relevance it can be directly tailored
to provide relevant data about the object of analysis (J. Aixela, 2008).

2.3 Translation Situation and Translation Instructions

The specification phase introduces the translator to the task, i.e. the translation
requirements and constraints. This information is contained in the translation brief, which
describes the translation situation and provides instructions (Superceanu, 2009:57). The
translation method is determined by this set of instructions, and so is the form of the TT. The
brief is usually given by the initiator, but in this case, I had to elicit the brief myself, therefore,
besides translator I am also the initiator.

British culture is constantly changing, from one day to another, and had (and still has)
a massive impact on todays society. This whole process of evolution of the British society
can be observed if we analyze the people on the street, popular culture, media, politics,
education system and the heroes, whom the British admire. Because of this, the Romanian
publisher RAO wants to publish the translation of the book British Cultural Identities by
Mike Storry and Peter Childs in order to give people a better view on British culture and a
better understanding of all its aspects. Many elements from the source text need to be adapted
and transferred into the target culture. The deadline for the translation is 15 of June 2017.