Modern Translation Research Articles

Keats’s ‘On First Looking into Chapman’s Homer’ and romantic (in)visibility

ABSTRACT The Romantic period redefined translation in a way that is epochal; that is, its reconfiguration of translation betokened a shift from the early modern period to a fully experienced modernity. In British Romanticism, in particular, this redefinition paradoxically combines a marginalisation and a celebration of translation. This article examines this paradox and shows that even as many British Romantic writers rhetorically carved out a space for their literary authority by arguing for the fundamental untranslatability of literature, there is also a discursive strand that embraces translation. Through a reading of ‘On First Looking into Chapman’s Homer’, an 1816 sonnet by John Keats, which this article proposes to read as a poetical piece of translation history which fuses early modern translatio and modern translation, we show that these strands combine to create a poetically and historiographically potent way of imagining the reliance on international traffic and mediation which characterise modern literature.

An assessment of translating religious and magical aspects in "Arabian nights" into English

This thesis discusses the difficulties of translating "Arabian Nights" from Arabic to English, focusing on cultural and religious elements. It analyzes translation strategies from the 19th century to the present by using Katharina Reiss' text typology framework. English translations nevertheless influenced by historical biases and misconceptions. Modern translations show more cultural sensitivity but struggle to fully convey nuances. Market expectations often lead to domestication in translation approaches. The research emphasizes the tension between making the text accessible to Western audiences while keeping its cultural authenticity. It contributes to discussions on literary translation and cultural preservation, emphasizing the need for more complex, culturally aware approaches in translating works across diverse linguistic and cultural landscapes. This study provides insights to inform future translation efforts and cross-cultural literary studies, addressing the difficult balance between reader accessibility and cultural integrity in literary translation.

Multi-Agent Approach to Political Discourse Translation: From Large Language Models to MAGIC-PTF System

This research addresses the automated translation of Chinese political discourse into Russian utilizing Large Language Model (LLM) optimization technologies and a multi-agent approach. The study focuses on developing the MAGIC-PTF system, which implements multi-stage text processing through the interaction of four specialized agents. The system's key component is the Style Agent, which ensures stylistic uniformity and terminological accuracy based on a specifically trained LLM. The Translator Agent performs the primary translation work and is responsible for the final text formatting. The Editor Agent conducts multi-level verification and correction of translations, considering linguistic, semantic, and cultural aspects. The Reader Agent analyzes the text from the target audience's perspective, evaluating its reception by native Russian speakers. The methodology integrates LLM optimization technologies and a multi-agent approach, with experimental testing conducted on the fourth volume of "Xi Jinping: The Governance of China" and its official Russian translation. The study includes a comprehensive analysis of system effectiveness using the COMET metric and comparative testing with existing machine translation platforms. The research's scientific novelty lies in developing a methodology for applying LLMs to specialized translation tasks and creating an effective coordination mechanism for intelligent agents in the translation process. Experimental research demonstrated MAGIC-PTF's superiority over traditional machine translation systems in key parameters: terminological accuracy, stylistic consistency, and preservation of culture-specific elements in political discourse. The developed system opens new possibilities for automated translation of political discourse and can be adapted for translating other specialized text types, confirming its significance for modern translation technology development. Of particular value is the system's scalability and adaptability to various language pairs and discourse types, creating prospects for further development in automated specialized text translation. The research findings also contribute to advancing the theory and practice of LLM application in professional translation.

Kajian Teologis tentang Mazmur 23:1-6 dan Penerapannya dalam Pelayanan Gereja Masa Kini

Psalm 23:1-6 is one of the most well-known passages in the Christian tradition, portraying the intimate relationship between God as the Shepherd and His people as the sheep. In the context of contemporary church ministry, a deep understanding of these verses is crucial, as they offer theological and practical guidance for the faith community in overcoming various spiritual and emotional challenges. This study aims to explore the theological relevance of Psalm 23 in the context of modern church ministry. The primary objective of this research is to conduct a theological analysis of Psalm 23:1-6 and to explore its application in today's church ministry context. This study also seeks to identify how the principles contained in this Psalm can serve as a foundation for pastoral care, spiritual strengthening, and congregation development in the modern church. The research employs a qualitative approach, using literature review and textual analysis methods. The primary sources used include the Hebrew text of Psalm 23:1-6 and modern translations, while secondary sources comprise various theological literature, Bible commentaries, and writings from related theological experts. This research also utilizes hermeneutical methods to delve deeper into the meaning of the text and its interpretation in various historical and theological contexts. The results indicate that Psalm 23 portrays God as a Shepherd who nourishes, protects, and guides His people, creating a sense of security and trust for those who follow Him. These attributes are relevant to contemporary church ministry, particularly in the context of pastoral care and spiritual support for congregants facing life crises. The findings also suggest that the application of the values contained in Psalm 23 can strengthen church ministry strategies in providing comfort, trust, and hope to its members. This study concludes that Psalm 23 holds strong and practical relevance for modern church ministry, as it offers an ideal depiction of divine care that can be applied in pastoral ministry. The church can use the principles from this Psalm to build trust and hope among congregants, as well as to provide more effective spiritual support in addressing the challenges of modern times.

The Translating Subject: Self-Assertion and Edges of Mediation in Ali Ufkî’s Bilingual Dialogues

Abstract Why did translation matter for early modern translators themselves? Approaching Ottoman court translator and religious convert to Islam, Ali Ufkî’s (né Wojciech Bobowski, ca. 1610–1677) intellectual endeavors, this article explores the multilayered relationship among translation, commensurability, and transmission of cultural knowledge by focusing on the translating subject. It argues that translation was an epistemic posture taken on by translators operating in complex cultural landscapes to navigate their self-assertion within the contours of cultural mediation in late seventeenth-century Istanbul. In so doing, it suggests reading translations beyond imperial logics and their concomitant historiographical terms.

Ramon Llull and the Communicating Vessels Between Catholicism and Occultism in Early Twentieth-Century France

In 1919, the Avant-garde poet Max Jacob translated Ramon Llull’s mystical work, the Llibre d’amic e amat (Book of the Lover and the Beloved). In 1921, another translation appeared, authored by the Hispanist and Catholic activist Marius André. The plural strands of modern literary reception of Llull have only been superficially addressed. At the beginning of the 20th century, both Catholic intellectuals and Occultist circles considered his mystical and evangelical endeavors to have extraordinary imaginative potential. Catholic and conservative spheres were prompted to justify the validity and orthodoxy of Lullian doctrines, and to define him as a model. Simultaneously, pseudo-Lullist sources praising his alchemical adventures and the fanciful plasticity of his symbology were noted by Jacob and the Parisian Surrealist circle.This article analyzes the context of two modern translations of the Llibre d’amic e amat (Book of the Lover and the Beloved), as well as the motivations of their translators, to assess the confluence of interests and themes within these traditions. It thus showcases the interdependency between Christian apologetics, often connected to the Catalan intellectuals who were publishing Llull’s works at the time, and an international current of eclectic pseudo-Lullism, spanning from at least the 17th century, that was still influential in the works of pansophists, alchemical authors and Surrealist writers, and that would inform present-day, creative reception of the philosopher.

On the Relationship Between University Translator Training Programs and the Translation Market Requirements: The Case of English Translation Graduates and Postgraduates of Imam Reza International University

The training of specialized human resources and the utilization of their expertise represent the primary concerns of universities and the higher education system. The efficacy of translator training programs has been increasingly scrutinized, with a particular emphasis on the explicit delineation of the link between their curricula and the market in which their graduates are ultimately employed. The objective of the present study was to ascertain the relationship between the university translator training programs at Imam Reza International University and the requirements of the translation market, with specific focus on the occupational status of translation graduates, and their attitudes towards the academic training, over the past 20 years. The study was mixed-methods with the online survey completed by 100 graduates by convenience sampling technique. Subsequently, through a snowballing approach, 23 graduates were selected for the semi-structured interview. Data analysis was performed in SPSS version 27; then, the data of interviews were analyzed based on the grounded theory in MAXQDA version 2020. The findings suggest that the majority of graduates perceive themselves to be inadequately prepared to enter the workforce. This sentiment is attributed to the absence of practical coursework, including innovative translation techniques and marketing skills aligned with the demands of the contemporary translation industry. So, there is a need for greater interaction between training and the market. The findings also indicated that modern translation technology and updated resources are not used to meet the market’s need. Inviting employers and entrepreneurs to talk in the classes, holding specialized workshops, and having work placement components in the curriculum can be effective in creating a foundation for students' subsequent employment.

The So-Called Ansbert, his ‘Historia de expeditione’ and Related Sources as a Research Problem *

Abstract The article dealing with the so-called Ansbert, his ‘Historia de expeditione Friderici imperatoris’ and related sources offers a research overview and analysis of the topic as it has evolved over the past 200 years and presents a new and more productive way to approach the narrative – the most important source documenting Frederick Barbarossa’s crusade ( 1188–1190 ). Firstly, the circumstances of the source’s reappearance in 1826 are explained, showing the troubled fate of the Strahov manuscript, where the narrative is extant in its fullest form. Secondly, the course of the academic discussion is traced, the main protagonist being Anton Chroust, the author of an edition used to this day. The main characteristics of the source are explained and the historiographical debate on the ‘Tageno-Ansbert-Frage’ is analysed, demonstrating that in almost desperate attempts to solve the question of authorship, the interconnectedness of sources and the exact manner of composition, research has gone up a blind alley, hindering more result-yielding questions from even being asked, which has not been remedied even by crusading studies that have bloomed in the past 100 years. Finally, a fresh approach to the topic is introduced: the narrative may be researched more viably through the lens of the functions and aims the source may have followed and the role the crusading idea may have played in it. Rediscovery of the ‘Historia’, p. 362. – The ‘Tageno-Ansbert-Frage’, p. 363. – Anton Chroust Enters the Scene, p. 365. – Karl Zimmert Disagrees, p. 367. – Towards the Modern Edition, p. 368. – The Edition, p. 371. – Reactions and Aftermath, p. 375. – The So-Called Ansbert in Crusading Studies and Barbarossa’s Biographies?, p. 377. – ‘Historia de Expeditione’ and its Modern Translations, p. 380. – New Horizons?, p. 385.

Jansenist Education and Racine’s Intertextuality in European Context: Can an Early Modern Translation of Andromaque Help Revisit an Old Concept?

Abstract The article deals with the intertextual dimensions of Jean Racine’s tragedy Andromaque and its rendering by the seventeenth–century Polish translator Stanisław Morsztyn. The analysis is based on an old hypothesis concerning the link between Racine’s intertextual literary practice and his erudite education at the Petites écoles de Port-Royal. The translator, although he had not received Jansenist education, was able to identify correctly and develop the original strategy of quotations and allusions. The article attempts to seek the factors that helped the Polish translator render the intertextuality of Andromaque in another cultural context. Three such factors have been proposed—the tradition of neo-Latin poetry developed both in France and in Poland, the Italian Petrarchism (along with the idea of sprezzatura), perceived not as a store of topics but as a pattern of free operation with Ancient allusions. The similarity between Racine’s education and that of Morsztyn, which combined the influence of the Polish Brethren with homeschooling, could have been the third factor. The article closes with a question concerning the perspectives of cultural studies in intertextual strategies of poets connected with various religious circles of the seventeenth century.

APPLICATION OF EQUIVALENT TRANSLATION AND LEXICAL TRANSFORMATIONS IN TRANSLATION OF ABSTRACT NOUNS (cased on the material of the work of S. Collins “The Hunger Games”)

The article generally analyzes the translation methods of abstract nouns in the fantastic work “The Hunger Games” by S. Collins using equivalent translation and lexical transformations. This question is relevant for modern translation studies since abstract nouns play asignificant role in the systems of modern languages of the world and are a large group among other classes of nouns. The author explores the specifics of translating abstract concepts in the context of fantasy literature and considers various strategies that can be used to preserve the meaning and emotional nuance of the original. Based on examples from The Hunger Games, the author shows which vocabulary transformations can be used to achieve the most accurate and effective translation. The results of the study indicate the importance of a careful approach to the translation of abstract nouns in the fantasy genre and the use of various translation strategies. The relevance of the research, therefore, is determined by the insufficient degree of study of the problem of translating abstract nouns in fiction from English to Ukrainian. We see the prospects of the research in the analysis of lexical transformations in the translation of textfragments with abstract nouns in the Ukrainian language.

Dostoevsky in the Plain Language: The Problems of Modern Literary Translation

The article is devoted to the functional analysis of one of the modern adaptive models of the national literary language — the plain language. This concept is actively discussed and implemented in modern translation practice today, including in numerous literary translations of the works of Dostoevsky, the most widely read Russian writer in the world. From a historical and typological point of view, the new translation strategy correlates with the principles of the Russian translation of the first book from Dostoevsky’s reading circle — “One Hundred and Four Sacred Stories of the Old and New Testaments,” as well as the New Testament published in 1823, which includes the writer’s hard labor Gospel that became a key precedent text in his post-reformation work. The article analyzes the work performed in the early 2000s. Japanese scientist Ikuo Kameyama translated the novel “The Brothers Karamazov,” which was a representative experience of modern artistic interpretation and adaptation of Dostoevsky’s work. Thanks to the translator’s orientation to the plain language, the novel of the Russian writer found its foreignspeaking readers and became an understandable and familiar text for them.

An experimental study of the impact of machine translation on translation quality

The article is devoted to the study of the impact of machine translation (MT) engines (Onlinedoctranslator and DeepLTranslate) on the quality of target text in the field of psychiatry. The translation quality was determined by the number of errors and quality of rendering psychiatric terminology. The modern translation market offers many online engines designed to help with and accelerate the translation of texts in the field of psychiatry, which is in a state of constant developing, evolution and changes. It is important to determine whether there is a difference in the efficiency of different MT engines. In conducting our research, we formulated a hypothesis, selected a psychiatric text rich in psychiatric terminology, compiled a bilingual dictionary based on the selected text, selected MT engines and the procedure of evaluating errors, analyzed target texts in terms of general quality and psychiatric terminology, processed the experimental data and represented the results in tables providing an expert assessment of the empirical data and formulated conclusions. In conducting the experiment, the hypothesis was confirmed: different MT engines provide different quality of translation. According to the results of the study, DeepL Translate was found to be more efficient. However, errors of all types still occur, so a thorough post-editing of the target texts is required. It was also found that there is an important area in the field of psychiatry, which the researched MT systems cannot cope with. This area is a matter of tact, which requires an understanding of the nuances of the source text and appropriate subject knowledge.

Культурный трансфер в семиотической модели перевода (на примере художественного текста Дж. Хеллера)

The goal of the work is to identify the influence of temporary discursive practices on specific translation decisions. From this goal follow specific tasks in this work: to present discursive and interpretive models of translation; correlate the provisions of these concepts with real translation practice; use factual material to show translation decisions determined by temporary discursive practice. The article also explores ways to convey culturally significant information, provides successful and controversial cases of solving translation tasks through linguistic means. Translation problems, including literary translation, in contemporary philological and cultural studies are interdisciplinary. Only at the intersection of semiotic concepts and literary approaches it is possible to determine the accuracy and completeness of translation decisions in the practice of literary translation. In turn, the study of the issue of cultural transfer in this case, based on various translations of J. Heller’s novel, allows us to overcome the limiting framework of purely philological approach in translation studies. Comparing the work of translators with respect to the same text - in our case, “Catch-22” fills the-abstract concept of the “translator’s figure” with real content, especially when considering the socio-cultural environment that influenced the specificity of translation decisions. The article represents an analysis of current issues in the theory and practice of literary translation. The work offers a review of modern translation models, primarily a discursive model of translation, interpretative concept and the perception of translation as an interpretation of the source text in the existing discursive practice. This research is funded by the Science Committee of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Grant No. AP23485752).

METHODOLOGY OF COGNITIVE-DISCURSIVE MODELLING OF LITERARY TRANSLATION (case study of Ukrainian retranslations of W. Shakespeare’s tragedies of the 19th–21st centuries)

The article provides theoretical and methodological substantiation for the step-by-step construction of a cognitive-discursive model of the diachronic plurality in translation of a time-remote original work, which appears as a tool for revealing the internal mechanisms of translating a literary work and determining the criteria for the adequacy of the original and translation. This is a case study of W. Shakespeare’s tragedies as time-remote original works of England of the late 16th – early 17th centuries and their Ukrainian retranslations of the 19th–21st centuries. The algorithm of the complex methodology of cognitive-discursive modelling of literary translation, which incorporates the methods of discourse analysis and cognitive translation studies, involves five stages of construction of three modules: discursive, cognitive, and retranslation. The construction of a discursive module, the aim of which is to reveal the objective and subjective factors that influence the process and result of the translator’s interpretation of a time-remote original work, involves the construction of three components – extralingual, lingual, and interpretation, which takes place in the first three stages. The fourth stage is the building of a cognitive module, which reveals the internal mechanisms of the translation process caused by cognitive consonance (harmonious identity of the mental processes of the author and the translator) or cognitive dissonance (epistemological, ideological, and cultural-aesthetic). Cognitive consonance and cognitive dissonance result from the similarities and differences in the contexts of original creation and retranslations, which are previously defined in the discursive module. The translator’s decision to choose one or another translation strategy and local tactic in conditions of cognitive consonance or cognitive dissonance determines different degrees of cognitive proximity of the original and the translation: cognitive equivalence, cognitive analogy, and cognitive variance. The fifth stage is the construction of a retranslation module, which affirms that the translator’s choice of strategy (modernization or archaization, domestication or foreignization) and tactic (reproductive or adaptive) of transformational translation is conditioned by cognitive consonance or dissonance. The relevance of the research is determined by its appeal to the leading cognitive-discursive paradigm of modern translation studies and by the tendency of cognitive translation studies for the translation process modelling, according to which not only the translation result is the subject of study, but also the prerequisites that determine the translator’s approach to the reproduction of the original text in one way or another. Analysis and comparison of retranslations of a time-remote original text in the course of modelling the process of literary translation allows following the influence of discursive and cognitive factors on the process and result of translation. The creation of the cognitive-discursive model of the diachronic plurality in translation of the time-remote original text explains the translation decisions regarding the choice of the general strategy and local tactic of retranslations and, respectively, the diachronic plurality in translations of a time-remote original text.

Determination of Science Traces in the Book of Tafsir an-Nur by Tengku Muhammad Hasbi Ash-Shidiqy

Abstract Not many reports have been performed on the Holy Qur'an, regarding the traces of scientific interpretation in modern translations in Indonesia. Based on the few conducted analysis, an ilmi (science) pattern was not considered, with the riwayah methods mostly used in obtaining interpretation from classical data. Therefore, this study aims to determine a new interpretation of an-Nur by TM. Hasbi al-Shiddieqy, regarding the dimension of science. This qualitative study used the closeness of text analysis, with data being obtained through a related literature review. It also aims to determine the ilmi patterns contained in the an-Nur exegesis work by TM. Hasbi al-Shiddieqy. The results showed that several scientific interpretations were observed, although they were not massively placed.

金文“叀”字考

The ancient character “叀” is very common, and the shapes are also diverse. This article conducts a detailed analysis of the ancient “叀” character by analyzing the shape of the characters “叀” in oracle bone inscriptions and “叀” in bronze inscriptions. This article presents a table format for statistical analysis and classification comparison of the font forms of the ancient “叀” character. The focus is on a detailed analysis of the character “叀” from the two distinct forms, the interpretation of inscriptions on bronze inscriptions and modern translations, and the words “specialized” and “beneficial” related to “叀”. In addition, a brief analysis of the grammatical meaning of the character “叀” in Jinwen is also conducted. Jinwen is an important language material for studying ancient Chinese. In the development and evolution of characters, the phenomenon of mixed use of characters and borrowing characters is very common. However, during the use and evolution of the character “芔”, due to the occurrence of confusion in its use, it has intricate connections with the ancient “芔” character in terms of pronunciation and form, and also has the pronunciation of “zhuān” and “huì”. However, there are also obvious differences in semantics and pragmatics.

Qaddafi's Hidden History? The Libyan World Islamic Call Society's Editions and Translations of the Qur'an

AbstractOne of the most important developments in modern Islamic missionary activism was the establishment in 1972 of the Libya‐based World Islamic Call Society (WICS, originally the Islamic Call Society) which acted as a leading think tank advocating Muslim unity and Pan‐Arabism throughout the Qaddafi era. Despite the severe challenges facing post‐revolutionary Libya, WICS remains active today, albeit with reduced global visibility. This article demonstrates the ways that WICS's endeavors in publishing were innovative in the Northern African Arabic context, notably when it comes to the al‐Muṣḥaf al‐Jamāhīriyya (1983) and the various Qur'an translations it produced, and argues that its activities are a neglected yet critical aspect of modern Islamic missionary endeavors at the nexus of Pan‐Islamism and Pan‐Arabism. Through exploring WICS's historical background, the individual actors affiliated with it, and its primary publishing projects, the current study sheds light on an overlooked chapter in modern Islamic missionary activity. It also explores the contextual factors that have influenced the success of its Qur'an translations beyond issues of religious identity, offering new insights into the intersection of politics and religion that underlie many modern translations of the Qur'an.

DIGITAL REFLECTIVE JOURNAL IN THE TRANSLATION CLASSROOM: DOES THE FORMAT CHANGE THE GAME?

Reflection is considered an integral part of modern translation classrooms, particularly within the framework of the social constructivist paradigm. To enhance its effectiveness, students' reflective activities should be supported with appropriate tools. This paper aims to compare the effectiveness of two formats of digital reflective journals. A mixed-methods research was conducted involving 34 third-year undergraduate translation students, who were divided into two sample groups (SG). They were instructed to accompany their translation submissions with reflective journal entries, either in a MS Word document (SG1) or in a digital reflective journal application (SG2). The research results indicated a statistically significant difference in the translation proficiency levels of students in the two SGs. Reflective journaling using a specific application resulted in better translation performance and higher quality journal entries over the term. This study highlights alternative approaches to reflective journal writing in translation classrooms. Future research could explore the evaluation of journal entries using digital tools.

Print Dictionaries Are Still in Use: A Survey of Source Preferences by Polish Translators

Abstract The study aimed to investigate the sources used by modern translators, specifically whether they use traditional lexicographic tools or diverted their preferences to newer sources of information. Data was collected via an online survey. The sample consisted of 229 mainly Polish translators of various languages and specialisations. It was found that the most frequently used source was the search engine, followed by Wikipedia/similar and online parallel texts. Officially published dictionaries are used often. Moreover, dictionaries were most often cited as the sources that translators could not imagine working without (34% of the total responses); 8% of the responses mentioned printed dictionaries as indispensable in translators’ work and these are used by 87% of the translators who took part in the study. Online dictionaries without a specified author are used by 83% of respondents, but 99% of them verify the content either regularly (50%) or occasionally (49%).

INTERPRETATION IN POST-2003 IRAQ

The history of translation in Iraq arises of its deep roots. It started strongly twelve hundred years ago and has been participated in showing the scientific and thinking identity of Iraq. The most thriving period was during the time of the Abbasid state, when translation helped spreading knowledge and science around the world. Later, it has been disappeared for centuries, in a period has called dark ages, during which Iraq and other Arab states were suffering of cultural deterioration. Eventually, Iraq has returned back to be an independent state after the declaring of the modern Iraqi kingdom in 1921, where assisted in appearing the translation at the elite level in universities, ministries, institutions, courts, and companies. The real widespread of interpretation began after 2003. Exactly, after the occupation of Iraq by the international coalition forces led by the United States of America, which led to the deployment of more than 150,000 individuals in Iraq, those who were not able to speak Arabic, while their mission supposed to be in direct contact with Iraqis. They thought that their task in interpretation and communication with Iraqis would be solved by modern technology, but they were surprised that high-cost modern translation devices were unfunctional. Therefore, they had forwarded to the Iraqi citizens to be their mediator; they had contracted with large, numerous and local interpreters. However, they couldn’t deal with this issue easily, due to its sensitive relationship among many Iraqis who were rejecting and resisting the American occupation. During that period, the profession of translators was subjected to the sense of sovereignty, betrayal, and patriotism in Iraq. In spite of the difficulties, the experience was productive. There are many lessons that can be studied and learned from it, the most important of which are the birth of a new generation of young interpreters, as well as the attention among young people to learn languages and practice professional translation. Therefore, many of those who worked as translators continued their studies and obtained the highest educational grades in translation and other language topics.