Abstract

This study attempts to analyze the process of translation and to explore its phases. Translation theory is usually addressed as if languages alone were at stake. In contrast to most studies on translation, this study is devoted to analyzing the factors that influence the process of translation rather than to a comparative analysis of two languages.

The study is set up on the basis of communication theory in general, and draws upon various linguistic theories and other language related disciplines such as semiotics, psycholinguistics. The basic suggestion posited is that translation should be viewed as a special case of communication process.

It is argued that the main issue in translation theory should not be whether to translate literally or freely, but how we can achieve an optimum translation which is the approach taken in this study. It is also hopped that this study may be if benefit to those interested in teaching translation and training would be translators. It is also recognized that further research is required in the area of the mental processes involved in translation.

The motivation for this study is the need felt for clarifying and describing the factors influencing the process of translation in order to improve the quality of translation and to design consequently and adequate syllabus for teaching translation.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Despite occasional theoretical diversity, the actual practice of translation has hardly changed since antiquity. Except for some extreme metaphases in early Christian period and Middle Ages, and adapters in various periods, translators have generally shown prudent flexibility in seeking equivalents-‘’literal’’ where possible, periphrastic where necessary-for the original meaning and other crucial values as determined from context. Translation is the communication of the meaning of a source-language text by means of an equivalent target-language text.

A translator always risks inadvertently introducing source-language words, grammar, or syntax into the target-language rendering. On the other hand, such ‘’spill-overs’’ have sometimes imported useful source-language calques and loanwords that have enriched target-languages. Translators including early translators of sacred texts, have helped shape the very languages into which they have translated.

Because of the laboriousness of the translation process, since the 1940’s efforts have been made, with varying degrees of success, to mechanically aid the human translator. This process of translation has aroused much discussion and debate and continuous to do so.  Many linguists as well as translation theorists, have attempted to describe and explain the process of translation. Translation in this study is considered as a complex process of communication. Hence, we shall attempt to present and analyze each phase of the translation process and describe the various interaction operations involved in it. The representation of the process is set up on basis that translation is a multidisciplinary activity. The aim is to arrive at a comprehensive understanding of the process of translation.

We shall first present a literature review of the translation activity with an emphasis on the theory of translation and the approaches to translation. Secondly, we shall then present an outline of our research methodology of translation studies and discuss earlier and more modern views on the presentation of our data analysis.

Haven presented and discussed certain points of our data analysis we shall then proceed to propose a comprehensive representation of the process of translation as a complex communication process. It is assumed in this study that, during the act of translating, certain translation procedures coupled with units of translation are active. We shall present a general outline of what these procedures and units of the translator are, and show their importance in the process of translation.

It should be pointed out that translation is not considered in the present study as a direct transfer from SL surface to TL surface, but through a stage of mediation dealing with meaning. Moreover, we shall relate the problem of meaning to that of finding the appropriate unit of translation. Assuming that the source-language text is analyzed and comprehended, we shall investigate the means and factors influencing the reconstruction of the SL message in the TL text.

In order to illustrate and demonstrate certain aspects of the process of translation, we have selected published English translated texts of Joseph Conrad’s novel ‘Heart of Darkness’. A summary and a brief study of the novel is appended to this analysis. The reason for the choice of the novel is that by its complexity and wide range of subject matters, it offers a great variety of linguistic and cultural facets. Moreover, it exhibits a number of relevant problems a translator may encounter. It should be noted however, that although most of our examples are from English to French, some of the remarks may be applicable to other languages.

1.1 Aim of the Study

The aim of this study is to find out how the factors that influence the process of translation not only in writing, but in speaking, how through all procedure are used during translation procedures, some do find difficulties in distinguishing them.

1.2 Objectives of the Study

This study attempts to accomplish the following objectives:

1. Determine whether these factors affect the students in the Buea municipality.
2. Identify the forms of procedures and units used by students.
3. Identify the factors influencing the process of translation and their meanings

1.3 Research Questions

Given the problem stated above, we could generate our research questions that will permit us to better understand what we intend to do:

1. Does translation procedures influence students speaking and writing in the Buea municipality?
2. What are the forms of translation procedures are mostly used by students?
3. What are the factors influencing translation process the most?

1.4 Hypothesis

In line with the above research questions, this study is predicated on the hypothetical contentions that:

H1: Wrong translation procedure has a great influence on student’s speaking and written language skill.

H0: Wrong translation procedure does not have a significant influence on the students’ written language skill

1.5 Scope of the Study

The research focuses on students of the Buea municipality, South West region of Cameroon. These are students who have been using cell phones for at least six years and are principally the ages of 15 and above, with questionnaires as research tool. We will focus on the use of translation procedure.

The study seeks the effects of factors influencing the process of translation. This study might or will find some of them that might be good enough to be incorporated into the language to ease writing, and make it faster and acceptable as standard.