INTRODUCTION
Rationale
As a member of the Faculty of English at Duy Tan University, I have gained extensive knowledge in various types of translation, with a particular passion for business translation It is essential for a translator to possess not only strong translation skills but also a deep understanding of the context and purpose behind the translation process.
Business plays a crucial role in our lives, as it has historically revolved around trading and exchanging goods and services It fosters competition, driving improvement and innovation within society By taking responsibility for themselves and others, businesses engage in creative and competitive activities that shape our communities Furthermore, by addressing the unmet needs and desires of individuals, businesses enhance the quality of life and elevate living standards for all.
I chose a chapter 17 “Your Career In Business” of the book “Introduction To
Choosing a career in business is vital for your future, as it opens up numerous opportunities This introductory business course provides a comprehensive overview of various commerce fields, helping you make an informed decision when selecting a major for your business degree Your choice of major is a significant milestone that will shape the next forty years of your professional life.
To conclude, I hope I have the best choice as well I hope that through the suggested version, I can provide some knowledge of business, give more information for everyone.
Aims and Objectives
This graduation paper showcases my personal growth and achievements over the past four years at Duy Tan University, highlighting the invaluable support, encouragement, and assistance I received from my supervisor, teachers, and friends.
It helps the translator with an overview of the translation process as analytical skills and translation skills Hence, it helps me avoid many faults in my translation process.
My graduation paper aims at:
Understanding the idea of author to express the content to the reader.
Upgrading my translating and analyzing the complicate and main points.
In order to support the major aims some following objective are posed for the study:
To analyze complicated word, phrases, structures, contexts,etc
To translate text smoothly and naturally
To give some implications and solutions for teaching and learning English, especially translation.
To get more knowledge about translating a business documents.
Scope of the study
This study examines the translation and analysis of challenging vocabulary and structures found in Chapter 17, "Your Career in Business," from the book "Introduction to Business." Additionally, it offers key solutions to address these linguistic difficulties.
Chapters 17 of the book “Introduction To Business” is chosen for translation and analysis This chapter discusses your career in business, letting us know that a college degree unlocks doors to economic opportunity, helping us to choose the right career when entering college and developing interpersonal skills is key to your success.
“Introduction To Business” is comprised of 17 chapters with 744 pages, due to the time limitation, I just have translated the Chapters 17 The translation paper has
The Chapters 17 of the book “Introduction To Business” written by Lawrence J.Gitman, Carl Mcdaniel, Amit Shah, Linda Koffel, Bethanm Talsma, Jame C.Hyattand published in 2018.
“Introduction To Business” has chapter, and I choose chapter 17 to translate.
It name: “Your Career In Business” and is presented through the follwing main parts:
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION: Includes rationale, aims and objective, scope of the study, text length and text organization.
CHAPTER 2: THEORETICAL BACKGROUND: About translation.
CHAPTER 3: SUGGESTED TRANSLATION: Original version (11 pages) of chapter 17: “Your Career In Business” Which is follwed by my suggested translation.
CHAPTER 4: ANALYSIS: Contains the analysis of some typical diffcult words, idiom, phrases and structure.
CHAPTER 5: DIFFICULTIES AND SOLUTIONS: Consists of dificulties encountered and solutions to overcome these difficulties.
CHAPTER 6: CONCLUSION & SUGGESTIONS: Gives out summary of findings, experiences I gained through this graduation paper and some proposals which I wanted to send to my university and department.
Methods of the study
- Reading (scanning and skimming) the whole text to get the main content of the text.
- Reading the chapter that were chosen carefully to get information.
- Translating the text and taking notes difficult terminologies, expressions, and structures of the text.
- Discussing with the supervisor, colleagues, friends and referring those terminologies, expressions and structures on the Internet.
- Completing and offering a suggested version of the text.
Organization of the study
The study includes six main parts:
This is the introdution of rationale, aims and objectives, scope, methods and organization of the study.
THEORETICAL BACKGROUND
Translation theory
Translation theory examines the relationships between languages, making it a key aspect of comparative linguistics It encompasses translation between any pair of related or unrelated languages and dialects, regardless of their spatial, temporal, or social contexts While language relations are typically two-directional, translation itself is a uni-directional process, occurring from a source language (SL) into a target language (TL).
Translation theory focuses on identifying appropriate translation methods for a diverse array of texts It offers a framework of principles, guidelines, and strategies to aid in translation and interpretation, serving as a foundation for resolving translation challenges Additionally, it can illustrate procedures and present arguments for choosing one translation over another in specific contexts Importantly, translation emphasizes the choices and decisions made by the translator rather than the technical aspects of the source language (SL) or target language (TL).
Translation is the process clearly presenting the relation between at least two languages: source language (SL) and target language (TL).
There are many different definition of translation given by some well-known linguistic experts as follows:
1 Translation is the replacement of textual material in one language (source language) by equivalent textual material in another language (target language).
2 Translation is a process of transferring a message from this language into another language in the way the author intended the text.
3 Translation consists of translating the meaning of the source language into the receptor language This is done by going from the form of the first language to the form of a second language by way of semantic structure It is meaning which is being transferred and must be held constant Only the form changes.
ANALYSIS
VOCABULARY
Vocabulary is crucial in translation, as mastering the meanings of new words is essential for accurately conveying messages from a source language (SL) to a target language (TL) Translators often rely on dictionaries to aid in this process However, challenges arise when there are no direct equivalents for certain English words or phrases in Vietnamese In such cases, it is important to select the most contextually appropriate meanings to ensure accuracy Additionally, a free translation strategy may be necessary to find the closest equivalent in the target language Translators often encounter unsuitable meanings and multi-layered interpretations in Vietnamese, making vocabulary a significant challenge In this chapter, I will introduce some difficult words I faced and propose flexible methods to improve translation quality.
A multiple meaning word has various interpretations depending on the context in which it is used Understanding its precise meaning requires careful consideration of the surrounding text In this article, I will present three examples of multiple meaning words and analyze their different meanings to illustrate how context influences interpretation.
Example 1: “What are some strategies that will help you find, keep, and advance in your dream job?” [P1]
In Cambridge Dictionary, “strategies” has many meanings as follows:
[1] The science and art of military command as applied to the overall planning and conduct of large- scale combat operations.
[2] A plan of action resulting from strategy or intended to accomplish a specific goal.
[3] The art or skill of using strategems in endeavors such as politics and business.
I think that the third meaning is the most suitable Therefore, in this situation,
I choose the right meaning is “chiến lược”.
My suggsted Translation: “Một số chiến lược sẽ giúp bạn tìm, giữ và thăng tiến trong công việc mơ ước của bạn là gì?”
Example 2: “A simple technique is to set a timer for two minutes and ask a friend to begin speaking.” [17]
According to Cambridge Dictionary, the words “technique” in the sentence has many means:
[1] A particular way of doing something, especially one in which you have to learn special skills.
[2] The skill with which somebody is able to do something practical. Example: The artist spent years perfecting his technique.
It seems that the second meaning is the most suitable Thus, I suggested the translation for this phrase “technique” is “kỹ năng”.
My suggested translation : “Một kỹ năng đơn giản là hẹn giờ trong hai phút và yêu cầu một người bạn bắt đầu nói.”
Example 3: “There is a natural conflict between planning and being impulsive, between pursuing a long-range goal and doing what you feel like doing right now.” [P33]
“Impulsive” is a multi- meaning word, and the Oxford Dictionary defines it:
“(of people or their behaviour) acting suddenly without thinking carefully about what might happen because of what you are doing”.
And in Lac Viet Dictionary, it means “đẩy tới”, “đẩy mạnh”, “hấp tấp”, “bốc đồng”, “thôi thúc” But based on the context of this sentence, I chose the equivalent
“cám dỗ” to transfer this word.
Có một mâu thuẫn tự nhiên giữa việc lập kế hoạch và sự cám dỗ, giữa việc theo đuổi mục tiêu dài hạn và việc thực hiện những gì bạn muốn ngay lập tức.
1.2 Word and phrase with no approriate meaning in dictionary
While translating, I often encounter unfamiliar special names and phrases, making the process challenging To address this, I researched various websites to find definitions and explanations for these terms However, for some phrases whose meanings I couldn't locate, I opted for free translation, adapting them to convey equivalent meanings in the target language.
Example 4: “It will not happen overnight, but you can become an outstanding thinker and speaker.” [P17]
Based on the cambridge dictionary, I found the meaning of this word is:
[1] During or for the night
[2] We stayed overnight in London after the theatre.
And in Vdict Dictionary, the meaning of this word is: “qua đêm”, “bất ngờ”,
“làm trong đêm”, “làm ngày một ngày hai”, “làm một sớm một chiều”.
So, I decided to translate “overnight” in the sentence into “một sớm một chiều” to match the context.
My suggested translation: “Nó sẽ không xảy ra trong một sớm một chiều, nhưng bạn có thể trở thành một nhà tư tưởng và diễn giả xuất chúng.”
Example 5: “Tough people give you a tough time but also teach you tough lessons.”[P27]
According to Cambridge Dictionary, the word “tough” in the sentence has many means:
[1] Strong, not easily broken or made weaker.
[2] Of a person, able to deal with difficult situations and not be easily defeated, frightened or upset.
[3] Severe in limiting what is allowed or in punishing people who do not obey rules or laws.
[4] Difficult to do or to deal with.
And in Vdict Dictionary, the meaning of this word is: “chắc”, “bền”, “dẻo dai”, “khắc nghiệt”, “cứng rắn”, “khó khăn”.
But in the context of the essay, the above meanings are not relevant, hence, I chose free translation and changed it into equivalent meaning in Vietnamese as
My suggested translation: “Những người khó tính mang lại cho bạn một khoảng thời gian khó khăn nhưng cũng dạy cho bạn những bài học quý giá.”
Example 6 : “Planning brings dreams down to earth and turns them into something real and attainable.”[P55]
The word “earth” is defined in the Cambridge Dictionary as following:
[1] The world; the planet that we live on.
[2] The hard surface of the world that is not the sea or the sky; the ground.
[3] The hole under the ground where an animal, especially a fox, lives.
In English- Vietnamese Dictionary, conduct is like “mặt đất”, “Trái đất”,
The phrase "brings dreams down to" signifies the transition from lofty aspirations to tangible reality, encapsulated in the terms "hang," "trần gian," and "cõi tục," which collectively convey the essence of confronting the mundane aspects of life.
My suggested translation: “Lập kế hoạch đưa giấc mơ thành hiện thực và biến chúng thành sự thật và có thể đạt được.
A phrasal verb consists of a verb combined with a preposition or adverb, resulting in a meaning that differs from the original verb During translation, certain phrasal verbs can cause confusion.
Example 7: “Once you take your first job, how rapidly you move up the ladder is up to you.” [P9]
In vietnamese meaning, “move up” mean “đi lên”, however in the dated context, I used the free translation method and I translated it as "thăng tiến".
In the Oxford learner’s Dictionaries, the noun “ladder” is defined:
A ladder is a climbing tool designed for ascending and descending walls or buildings, featuring two long supports made of wood or metal, interconnected by steps or rungs for stability and ease of use.
[2] A series of stages by which you can make progress in your life or career, to move up or down the social ladder.
[3] A long, thin hole in tights or stockings where some threads have broken.
The translation of a term often depends on the context in which it is used In the Lac Viet dictionary, the word can mean "ladder" or "gap" (referring to socks) However, in this particular context, a direct translation would not sound natural Therefore, I opt for the phrase "career advancement" to convey the intended meaning effectively.
My suggsted Translation: “Khi bạn nhận công việc đầu tiên của mình, bạn thăng tiến lên nhanh như thế nào là tùy thuộc vào bạn.”
Example 8 : “Occasionally pitching in shows your willingness to get the job done.” [P21]
In the Oxford Learner’s dictionary, “pitch in” is a phrasal verb, it means:
[1] To start to do something as part of a group, especially something helpful.
[2] To become involved in esp something helpful.
In English – Vietnamese Dictionary means: “sân trong”
Hence, I choose the equivalent meaning in Vietnamese as “sự hăng hái”
My suggested translation: “Thỉnh thoảng sự hăng hái cho thấy bạn sẵn sàng hoàn thành công việc.”
Example 9 : “Being political means getting along with others in order to move them toward accomplishing a specific goal.” [P20]
In the Oxford Learner’s dictionary, “get along” is a phrasal verb, it means:
[2] It's time we were getting along.
Hence, I choose the equivalent meaning in Vietnamese as “hòa hợp”
My suggested translation: “Chính trị có nghĩa là hòa hợp với những người khác để thúc đẩy họ hướng tới hoàn thành một mục tiêu cụ thể.”
Example 10 : “Evaluate your progress, and when necessary, revise your plan to deal with changing circumstances and new opportunities.” [P43]
In the Oxford Learner’s dictionary, “deal with” is a phrasal verb, it means:
[1] to take appropriate action in a particular situation or according to who you are talking to, managing, etc.
[2] to do business with a person, a company or an organization
In the context of the essay, I would translate in the same sense [1] Hence, I choose the equivalent meaning in Vietnamese as “đối phó với”.
Đánh giá tiến độ của bạn và điều chỉnh kế hoạch khi cần thiết để thích ứng với những thay đổi trong hoàn cảnh và nắm bắt các cơ hội mới.
DIFFICULTIES AND SOLUTIONS
DIFFICULTIES
Translation equips me with essential skills and background knowledge, enhancing my familiarity with the profession However, I've come to realize that the education I received only covers a small fraction of what is needed in the real world Each language possesses unique characteristics and expressions, necessitating that translators have specialized knowledge in their field, as well as a strong grasp of the text's structure and vocabulary Despite my training, I still face challenges with complex words, phrases, and grammatical structures Throughout the translation of my graduation document, I encountered various difficulties in vocabulary and grammar while striving to provide the best English to Vietnamese translation.
Despite gaining valuable insights into translation subjects and acquiring some business knowledge, I still found myself lacking comprehensive understanding in this field This gap in knowledge made it challenging for me to effectively translate these terms into my target language.
One of the significant challenges in translation is vocabulary, particularly due to the presence of untranslatable and multi-meaning words Many terms lack clear definitions in standard dictionaries, complicating the translation process I often find myself spending extensive time researching online, consulting various documents, and using multiple dictionaries to identify appropriate and accurate terminology Specialized vocabulary poses an even greater challenge, often resulting in translations that lack fluency These hurdles can be especially daunting for individuals who are not professional translators.
In my research, I encountered numerous challenging grammatical structures that posed significant obstacles in conveying precise meanings due to the differences between languages Analyzing these complexities demanded a strong grasp of the subject, intense focus, and meticulous attention to detail Consequently, my revised interpretations may lack fluency and coherence While I comprehend the original ideas of the authors, I struggle to articulate them effectively in Vietnamese.
I struggled with understanding and translating certain terms and phrases, which hindered my ability to accurately interpret the specific fields Additionally, the multiple meanings of some words, dependent on context, required extensive time to determine the most suitable interpretation Consequently, my proposed version lacked the smoothness and natural flow necessary for effective communication.
In conclusion, comprehending the author's intent and mastering grammar and vocabulary are essential for effective translation I dedicated time to learning, researching, and practicing diligently, as translating a text successfully is a challenging task.
SOLUTIONS
No challenge is too great to overcome, as each difficulty presents valuable opportunities for growth I view the obstacles I encounter as chances to enhance my skills To tackle these challenges, I diligently applied the knowledge I gained over four years, utilized online resources, consulted dictionaries, and sought guidance from my supervisor to acquire practical experience Here are some of the strategies I employed to improve my translation abilities.
To grasp the overall essence of the chapter, I thoroughly read it and subsequently explored various books and documents related to business and economics This research enhanced my understanding and enabled me to accurately select the meanings of key terms and phrases.
Dictionaries are essential tools for translators, including myself Throughout the translation process, I relied on various resources such as the Oxford Learner's Dictionary, Cambridge Dictionary, Lac Viet Dictionary, and English-English-Vietnamese Dictionary, along with websites, books, and newspapers to tackle challenging terms While some words were not present in the context, others were unsuitable, prompting me to search online for clarification Consequently, I meticulously examined all meanings to select the most appropriate terms that align with both the context and Vietnamese linguistic style.
To enhance my understanding of complex sentence structures, I meticulously analyzed challenged structures to identify their components This deep dive into various sentence types and clauses helped me avoid confusion I focused particularly on sentences containing multiple clauses, as distinguishing these elements proved crucial Consequently, I engaged in extensive theoretical research and reviewed numerous examples related to clauses.
The invaluable support from my supervisor has been crucial throughout my project Her insightful feedback on my translation and analysis challenges significantly enhanced my understanding As this was my first major project, her guidance played a pivotal role in my success.
I did not know how to present and format my graduation paper scientifically So, her help was my most wonderful solution.
"Satisfaction lies in the effort, not in the attainment," as Mohandas Gandhi aptly stated, highlights the importance of dedication in public services in India In my pursuit of becoming an accomplished translator, I recognize that achieving my dream requires relentless hard work and the enhancement of essential skills Through diligent study and analysis, I am committed to overcoming challenges and striving for excellence in my translation endeavors.
CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTIONS
SUGGESTION
My graduation paper has been a pivotal opportunity for me to establish my personal standards Throughout its completion, I recognized my shortcomings and realized that the education I received represents only a fraction of what I need to learn This journey has provided me with invaluable experience in the translation process.
Developing a robust vocabulary is essential in the translation process, as it goes beyond simply looking up words in a dictionary; it involves accurately conveying the author's ideas A thorough understanding of structure, syntax, and semantics is crucial for interpreting the author's intent and effectively reproducing information in the target language (TL) The complexities of passive voice, as well as complex, compound, and compound-complex sentences, present significant challenges Despite four years of study at Duy Tan University, I still lack confidence in interpreting and evaluating these structures However, this experience has enhanced my knowledge of advanced English grammar and improved my translation skills.
When translating specialized content, in-depth knowledge of the field is crucial for accuracy Translators must invest time in understanding the subject matter to effectively convey the author's intent Despite my lack of a business background, I faced challenges in this area but ultimately gained valuable experience by researching and learning specific terminology, which enabled me to produce more accurate translations.
After all, I have learned many valuable lessons and experiences during this time, I hope that what I have tried and done will be Duy Tan University, English
Faculty, teachers and all the teachers who have taught me during the past 4 years recognized.
I have some suggestions for the languages learner and I hope my suggestions will be useful:
Equipping students with foundational knowledge is crucial, as they will face diverse documents across various fields in the future A solid background in these areas not only minimizes surprises but also eases the challenges they may encounter Furthermore, this knowledge aids students in developing skills applicable to all disciplines, particularly in translation, thereby reducing confusion during the translation process related to different fields.
Mastering the structure, syntax, and semantics of both your native and target languages is essential for understanding the author's ideas and minimizing errors in translation To enhance your translation skills, it's important to read a variety of materials, including books, articles, novels, and magazines, in both languages This practice not only broadens your knowledge but also enriches your vocabulary, enabling you to translate more naturally and engagingly.
To become an effective translator, students must enhance their reading comprehension skills By improving their ability to read and understand texts thoroughly, they can gain a deeper insight into the topics presented by the author, which helps to minimize errors during the translation process.
In light of the growing importance of translation and interpretation, which presents numerous job opportunities for students, it is essential for educators at Duy Tan University, particularly within the English Faculty, to enhance their teaching methods By focusing on more effective and engaging instructional strategies, teachers can better prepare students for success in this vital field.
Translation is a crucial subject that enables students to enhance their translation skills To facilitate this, the department should allocate more time for translation courses, allowing for increased practice Additionally, essential subjects like Translation Theory, Translation 1 and 2, and Advanced Grammar and Syntax are vital for students as they prepare their graduation papers.
Many students struggle with grammar structures because of the differences between their source language and the target language To address this, it's essential to gain a comprehensive understanding of grammar systems while also mastering translation concepts and techniques This involves evaluating vocabulary and sentence structure to ensure high-quality translations.
To enhance the curriculum, I recommend that the department incorporate additional second foreign language options By allowing students to express themselves through their passions, we can significantly improve the quality of research outcomes.
To make translation more engaging for students, teachers should foster an interesting learning environment Incorporating short stories, mini-games, and friendly competitions among groups can significantly enhance interaction between students and teachers during lessons.
CONCLUSION
Completing my graduation paper has provided me with invaluable experience Throughout my research, I encountered challenging vocabulary and complex structures, which made it difficult to translate accurately into Vietnamese As a student with limited time and expertise, I acknowledge that my paper may contain errors I welcome constructive and understanding feedback from my teachers and the board.
I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to my supervisor, Ms Le Thi Dieu Huong, and my friends for their invaluable support, suggestions, and encouragement throughout the process of completing my graduation paper Wishing you all good health and success—thank you!
[1] Mai Lan Huong, Hà Thanh Uyên, Giải thích Ngữ pháp tiếng Anh, NXB Đà Nẵng
[2] Theories of Translation: An Anthology of Essays from Dryden to Derrida
[3] Nguyen Manh Quang (2011), Translation Theory, Department of Foreign Languages, Duy Tan University.
[4] J.C Catford, A Linguistic Theory of Translation, 1965: P20, Oxford University Press.
[5] Duong Bach Nhat, Effective Writing, Department of Foreign Languages, Duy Tan University.
[6] Từ điển Anh – Anh – Việt, NXB Đại học Quốc Gia Hà Nội
[13] https://dictionary.cambridge.org/vi/
