Language to Language: a practical and theoretical guide for Italian/English translators (Cambridge University Press) Christopher Taylor (University of.

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1 Language to Language: a practical and theoretical guide for Italian/English translators (Cambridge University Press) Christopher Taylor (University of Trieste) www.amazon.co.uk

2 1: THE PROCESS OF TRANSLATION Source text → → → Virtual text → → → Target text

3 Essential considerations: 1. Semantics: denotation and connotation 2. Pragmatics 3. Stylistic conventions: register and genre 4. Cultural considerations

4 From Taylor’s Introduction: 1. Use of contrastive lexicogrammatical skills 2. Use of specific technical terminology 3. Attention to discourse structure 4. Recognition of phonological features 5. Word play 6. Knowledge of the world 7. Sensitivity to pragmatic content

5 1. Use of contrastive lexicogrammatical skills È arrivato il professore. The teacher has arrived.

6 2. Use of specific technical terminology Hyperthermia is elevated body temperature due to failed thermoregulation that occurs when a body produces or absorbs more heat than it dissipates. Extreme temperature elevation then becomes a medical emergency medical requiring immediate treatment to prevent disability or death. How many of the lexemes in this paragraph derive from Latin? Which words would not be used in general, non-technical English?

7 3. Attention to discourse structure Cerca di prevedere ora tutto ciò che può evitarti d'interrompere la lettura. Le sigarette a portata di mano, se fumi, il portacenere. Che c'è ancora? Devi far pipì? Bene, saprai tu. (Italo Calvino, Se una notte d’inverno un viaggiatore) Try to foresee now everything that might interrupt your reading. Cigarettes within reach, if you smoke, and the ashtray. Anything else? Do you have to pee? All right, you know best. (Italo Calvino, If on a Winter’s Night a Traveller)

8 4. Recognition of phonological features From Tayor, p. 6. … ma neanche con lei dicevo una parola, anche con lei chinavo il capo. (E. Vittorini, Conversazione in Sicilia)... not even with her did I say a word, even with her my head hung heavily. (translated by J. Dodds, 1994)

9 5. Word play Dr. Clarke was short of patients, and patience.

10 6. Knowledge of the world Calais will haunt Cameron – it gives EU ‘outs’ the perfect showreel. (The Guardian, 02.08.2015)

11 7. Sensitivity to pragmatic content If the floor is full, please use the ashtrays

12 Taylor’s concept of “layering”, or a virtual translation constructed in layers. We begin with a lexicogrammatical translation, then proceed to “read between the lines” to understand the other six layers. 1. Use of contrastive lexicogrammatical skills 2. Use of specific technical terminology 3. Attention to discourse structure 4. Recognition of phonological features 5. Word play 6. Knowledge of the world 7. Sensitivity to pragmatic content A highly competent and experienced translator may be able to work on all seven layers simultaneously. Others have to work more methodically.

13 From Tongues of Flame by Tim Parks (1985: 19) Then that next Thursday he was expelled from school. He was caught smoking cannabis with two friends in the cricket nets so they scarcely had any choice really, and it was very embarrassing for Father because this was a church school and he was the chaplain. They had a furious row about it in the study and Adrian said he was quite happy to be expelled because he could now apply to a sixth-form college to do his A- levels in music and art.

14 Translated by R. Baldassare 1995: 32 Poi il giovedì seguente fu espulso dalla scuola. Era stato sorpreso a fumare la marijuana con due amici nel campo di cricket, perciò il preside non poteva agire diversamente, e per mio padre era doppiamente imbarazzante perché era una scuola religiosa e il cappellano era proprio lui. Litigarono come due belve nello studio e Adrian disse che gli faceva molto comodo quell’espulsione perché poteva andare altrove per studiare musica e arte.

15 Then that next Thursday he was expelled from school. He was caught smoking cannabis with two friends in the cricket nets so they scarcely had any choice really, and it was very embarrassing for Father because this was a church school and he was the chaplain. They had a furious row about it in the study and Adrian said he was quite happy to be expelled because he could now apply to a sixth-form college to do his A-levels in music and art. Poi il giovedì seguente fu espulso dalla scuola. Era stato sorpreso a fumare la marijuana con due amici nel campo di cricket, perciò il preside non poteva agire diversamente, e per mio padre era doppiamente imbarazzante perché era una scuola religiosa e il cappellano era proprio lui. Litigarono come due belve nello studio e Adrian disse che gli faceva molto comodo quell’espulsione perché poteva andare altrove per studiare musica e arte.

16 FALSE FRIENDS 1 Abuse (noun) 1. I asked my neighbours politely to make a little less noise and received a storm of abuse in reply. 2. drug abuse, abuse of power 3. child abuse, sexual abuse Abusive (adjective) You have a right to criticize, but not to use such abusive language. Come si dice “case abusive” in inglese?

17 Accident Accommodation, to accommodate (note the double m) Actual, actually

18 Affluence (noun) There is a downside to the affluence of Western society: obesity, and as a direct consequence, diabetes, have become major health problems. Affluent (adjective) The economist J.K. Galbraith’s best-known book is The Affluent Society (1958). L’affluenza del sangue al cervello – the flow of blood to the brain L’affluenza alle urne – the turn-out at the election Un fiume affluente – a tributary river

19 THE DIARY OF A BRAVE TRANSLATOR VERILY IN LEG – PART 1 Here we are at the start of a new academic year. It won’t be an easy year for me because it’s eleven years that I don’t teach translation, but I gave myself to do during the summer and I think to be able to avoid to make an ugly figure. I hope I have a good group of students who are going to participate actively and not just warm up the seats.