Languages Of Limited Diffusion Research Articles

L2 translation practice in Spain: Report on a survey of professional translators

Recent research has shown that L2 translation —translation from the first language (L1) into the second language (L2)— is a regular practice in many countries where languages of limited diffusion are used. But is L2 translation an unusual task in major-language cultures? Is there an L2 translation market for these languages? This paper aims to report on a survey-based study that explores current L2 translation practice in Spain: a survey of over 200 L1-Spanish translators was conducted to gather information about their professional practice and their attitudes regarding directionality. Data collection method used consisted of a web-based questionnaire partially based on Roiss (2001) and administered directly on an Internet site. Multi-modal methods of survey advertising and recruitment of respondents were used. Preliminary findings show that over 75% of translators, to a greater or lesser extent, engage in L2 translation, and that almost 20% do it more than half of their time, with English being by far the most widely translated L2. Additionally, responses suggest that more than half of the translators support L2 translation education in university settings.

Tradução para língua estrangeira: prática, pesquisa e formação no Brasil e no mundo

O presente trabalho oferece uma análise crítica do estado da arte sobre a tradução de textos não literários para língua estrangeira (L2), em especial o inglês, como objeto de estudo acadêmico e prática mercadológica. A revisão bibliográfica aqui apresentada procura identificar: (a) de que formas o discurso dentro dos Estudos da Tradução vem se construindo a respeito da tradução para L2; (b) quais as características do inglês que o diferencia de outros idiomas quando se trata da tradução; (c) que questões são abordadas em pesquisas sobre a direcionalidade; e (d) como os dados levantados podem ser aplicados à formação de tradutores, especialmente no Brasil. A superioridade da tradução para L1 vem sendo desafiada dentro dos Estudos da Tradução, devido, entre outros fatores, a pesquisas sobre o assunto oriundas de países de línguas de menor difusão, onde a tradução para L2 é praxe. Como o inglês é a L2 mais falada no mundo, há mais materiais e recursos disponíveis, facilitando a tradução para esse idioma. Estudos mostram que a direcionalidade é apenas uma das variáveis que afetam a qualidade das traduções, outras incluindo a experiência do tradutor e o tipo de texto. No Brasil, há alguns estudos sobre direcionalidade, mas ainda poucas opções de formação em tradução para L2.

Los corpus en la traducción jurídica y su uso para resolver la asimetría terminológica y fraseológica entre el checo y el inglés

The paper deals with the role of small-scale corpora of legal language in overcoming terminological and phraseological assymetries between Czech and English. The first part of the paper describes the potential as well as the specifics of the use of such corpora in legal linguistics. The second part of the paper presents selected outcomes of a study involving a comparable-parallel corpus architecture to study the terminology and phraseology of company law in English and Czech. A number of examples are discussed to demonstrate the usefulness of such corpora as a complement to dictionaries and other resources available to translators working with languages of limited diffusion, such as Czech, for identifying terminological and phraseological equivalence in less straightforward cases. The final part discusses the implications for legal translation practice as well as translation training.

Slovak thinking on audiovisual translation and the issue of the second-hand translation of Russian documentary films

The paper, in its first part, outlines the Slovak research into audiovisual translation (AVT) from the 1950s up to the present, paying attention to the most important scholars as well as publications that helped to shape and establish the discipline within Slovak translation studies. It is based on the ongoing bibliographical research and the historical explanation mapping the development of AVT research in Slovakia by I. Tyšš – e.g. his publication Myslenie o audiovizuálnom preklade na Slovensku: 1952 – 2017 (Thinking on Audiovisual Translation in Slovakia: 1952 – 2017, 2018) – as well as on own findings covering the last two years. In more detail, the first part of the paper highlights that it was primarily thanks to a younger generation of translation studies scholars – especially E. Perez (née Janecová), L. Paulínyová (née Kozáková) and J. Želonka – that in 2012 the Slovak research into AVT finally became systematic. The second part of the paper is devoted to the phenomenon of the so-called second-hand translation of originally Russian audiovisual works that may be observed in Slovakia in recent years. The questionable nature of this phenomenon is stressed since the Russian language is not a language of limited diffusion and definitely not remote in relation to the Slovak cultural space. On the example of two documentary films – Под властью мусора (Held Captive by Rubbish, 2013) and Дух в движении (Spirit in Motion, 2015), the author discusses and analyses the problems that occur when translating originally Russian AV works into Slovak through the English language, i.e. the negative shifts resulting from mis-/overinterpretation of the source text, translation by omission, wrong order of dialogues, cultural specifics and incorrect transcription.

Sign language interpreter aptitude: The trials and tribulations of a longitudinal study

This paper discusses the process of undertaking an exploratory longitudinal study of language learning and interpreter aptitude. It discusses the context of aptitude testing, the test selection for a test battery, the recruitment of subjects within the small-scale study (n=22) and the administration of that battery within the context of whether longitudinal studies are feasible with small cohorts of sign language interpreters. Sign languages continue to be languages of limited diffusion in Europe. Even with gradually increasing numbers of ‘hearing’ sign language users, typically those wishing to become sign language interpreters do not have high levels of sign language fluency prior to enrolling in sign language interpreter training. As such, these students need to gain fluency in sign language, whilst also beginning to engage in interpreter education and interpreting-skills development. To date there is little understanding of how best to screen sign language interpreter program applicants to ensure the effective use of resources, i.e. to educate those who will both learn sign language to C1 fluency (Pro-signs, 2016) during the BA and also be able to learn how to interpret. Longitudinal studies enable us to take a longer view of learning and the professionalisation of skills and knowledge. They do, however, require significant time and this in itself can prove to be an obstacle when university researchers are required to produce tangible research outputs for career goals such as promotion or tenure.

Multilingualism in a global village: What is the future of a local language (e.g. Northern Sotho) in an increasingly globalized world?

South Africa is currently occupying a precarious position within a framework of globalization and internationalization where cultural and linguistic pluralism prevail. There is divergence between South Africa's multilingual language policy on the one hand, and its language practices on the other. Although South Africa is in its 16th year of democracy, people are still grappling with issues such as the financial costs of using more than one official language in commerce and industry. It is argued that it is extremely costly to change letterheads and logos of companies in an attempt to align them with the languages of the country, a notion that does not take into cognisance the reality of South Africa as a multilingual country. The idea expressed is that using some of the 11 official languages and sign language in parallel will be contingent to practicality and expense. The purpose of this article is twofold. First, it seeks to determine whether a balance can be maintained between the global need to communicate and the need to preserve local and regional identities and cultures. Secondly, it endeavours to establish whether it is feasible in South Africa, to maintain the prospects of multilingualism on the one hand and to simultaneously promote the use of the local indigenous languages on the other, in an increasingly globalized world. A previous study, which established the feasibility of using a language of limited diffusion (e.g. Northern Sotho) as a language of commerce and industry, will be a case in point. The article will further determine the apposite environment as an enabler for employing Northern Sotho as a language of marketing, advertising and business. Language practices in the sectors of organic financial growth in South Africa are also explored.

Faithfulness Versus Fluency: Counting the Cost

This paper discusses the translation of thematic allusions in literary texts, comparing the contrasting global translation strategies used in the North American translations of two novels by the Finnish writer Väinö Linna. One translation (1957) uses extensive cuts to remove allusions (and other culture-specific elements) while the other (2001-03) renders the author's words faithfully but provides little explicitation for source-cultural allusions unfamiliar in the target culture. Both strategies result in target texts in which part of the author's theme of questioning received interpretations of critical periods in Finnish history through allusions to nationalist and revolutionary sources is lost or obscured. The different translation situations and the role of editors are also considered, placing the study in a context of cultural imbalance and of translations of literature written in a language of limited diffusion.

Translating technical texts into Zulu with the aid of multilingual and/or parallel corpora

The single biggest problem that translators have to contend with when translating from an international language such as English into a so-called minor language or language of limited diffusion (LLD) such as Zulu, is the lack of terminology in the majority of specialist subject fields. In this article we demonstrate how special-purpose multilingual and parallel corpora can be utilised as a translator's tool in finding suitable term equivalents when translating technical texts into Zulu. Although translators working into languages such as, for example, English and French follow this methodology as a matter of course, it has (to our knowledge) not yet been shown how such a course of action may be applied to the African languages, and specifically to Zulu in this case.

Examining simultaneous interpreting norms and strategies in a South African legislative context: a pilot corpus analysis

The Gauteng Provincial Legislature makes provision for simultaneous interpreting services in English, Afrikaans, Zulu and Sepedi for sittings of the House. The speakers at the legislature use primarily legislative discourse, and deliver their speeches at a fast pace, owing to the strict time limits given for speeches. Factors such as technicality and pace can be a major source of difficulty for interpreters in general, but difficulties in a multilingual South African legislative context are compounded by the fact that the interpreted languages are languages of limited diffusion and, in the case of Zulu and Sepedi, also without developed technical registers. Given the very short tradition of simultaneous interpreting in local South African languages, plus the limited number of interpreters in each language combination, there has to date been very little information available on interpreting norms and strategies. In this pilot analysis, I argue that analyses of authentic parallel corpora, consisting of the floor language and interpretations, could provide some insight into interpreter strategies and language-specific norms in a legislative context.

Strategiebedingtes Übersetzen aus den kleineren Sprachen im Fachbereich Jura

Legal translation from languages of limited diffusion: translation strategy Translation studies generally fail to regard the SL as one of the main factors determining translation strategy. This also applies to studies of legal translation, the subject-matter of this paper. Analyzing the procedures used in the translation of system-bound terms in statutory texts from LLD (languages of limited diffusion), the author shows that translators of LLD also give priority to neutral, TL-oriented equivalents. In cases, however, where no neutral equivalents are available in the TL, translators usually resort to literal equivalents. Assuming that their readers are not already familiar with the source concept, translators of LLD intentionally avoid using borrowings and naturalizations which are preferred by their colleagues who translate from world languages. This, however, does not warrant the unlimited use of literal equivalents. Finally, for the sake of uniform usage, the author urges national organizations to standardize equivalents of LLD system-bound terms.