INTRODUCTION
Rationale
Not everyone is fortunate enough to be born into a complete family, as the circumstances of our birth are beyond our control Despite this, the emotions and connections shared among family members remain genuine and significant.
I chose to translate this captivating book, concentrating on Chapters 1 and 2 These chapters explore the protagonist's life, highlighting the challenges she faced from childhood to adulthood, including the absence of her mother's love and the affection she received from her grandmother.
Aims and Objectives
- To have a comprehensive understanding of theoretical translation, and practice using specific English flexibly, creatively and accurately.
- To show off my translation skills as well as document analysis.
- To translate document quickly and smoothly.
- To analyze difficult words, phrases, idioms, and structures, etc.
- To help me improve my translation skills.
Scope of the Study
The novel tells the story of Stephanie Louann Jennings family However, because of time limitation, this graduation paper only focuses on chapters 1&2 with 4,398 words.
- The author of this novel is Mary Blair, she is of some famous novels like Safety Underneath The Fireplace, My Best Friend/ My Evil Stepmother,Sometime After Midnight, etc.
- The chapters I choose to translate are the first and second chapters of
“The Road to Home” There are four chapters in the novel, which tells about Stephanie’s growth, her life with her grandmother and mother, and something she experienced.
The novel includes 4 chapters, but the time is limited so I have translated only 2 chapters with 4,398 words in length.
The novel includes 4 chapters, because of limitation of time, I have translated only 2 chapters.
-Chapter 1: Stephanie’s life as a child with her mother and grandmother.
-Chapter 2: Stephanie’s life as an adult and what happened after her mother got out of rehab.
1.3.4 Text Source http://bookies.publicbookshelf.com/the-road-to-home/
Methods of the Study
- Reading several documents related to the source language text’s topic to get some basic knowledge and specific terms.
- Reading the whole text to get the main content.
- Identifying and marking specific vocabulary and complicated grammatical structures.
- Rendering the source language text and concentrating on terms and structures that had been marked.
- Looking up in dictionaries and searching on the Internet to get the most suitable meanings for difficult words.
- Checking the target language text at least twice.
- Analyzing grammatical structures and identifying the sentence’s components.
THEORETICAL BACKGROUND
Translation Theory
Translation is the process clearly presenting the relation between at least two languages: source language (SL) and target language (TL).
There are many different definitions of translation given by some well- known linguistic experts as follows:
“Translation is the replacement of textual material in one language (SL) by equivalent textual material in another language (TL).” (họ, năm xuất bản: số trang)
“Translation is a process of rendering the meaning of a text into another language in the way that the author intended the text.”
“Translation is the process of conveying messages across linguistic and cultural barriers.”
There are some types of categories of translation defined in terms of extent, levels, and ranks of translation.
The distinction relates to the extents of translation.
According to J.C Carford (1965), in a full translation the entire text is submitted to the translation process: that is, every part of the SL text is replaced by TL text materials.
In a partial translation, some part or parts of the SL text are left untranslated: they are simply transferred to and incorporated in the TL text. Examples:
Full translation: There has been a dramatic rise in house prices this year.
Đã có một sự tăng giá về nhà trong năm nay.
The controversial remark garnered significant media attention, prompting condemnation from numerous Democratic politicians and several Republicans, including presidential candidate Mitt Romney, who urged Akin to exit the race.
Phát ngôn gây tranh cãi này đã thu hút sự chú ý lớn từ truyền thông, đặc biệt khi nhiều chính trị gia thuộc Đảng Dân Chủ và một số thành viên Đảng Cộng Hòa, trong đó có ứng viên tổng thống Mitt Romney, đã chỉ trích và yêu cầu Akin rút lui khỏi cuộc đua.
In terms of levels, translation is divided into two types by J.C Catford: total translation and restricted translation
Total translation involves substituting the grammar and vocabulary of the source language (SL) with corresponding grammar and vocabulary of the target language (TL), while also changing the phonology and graphology from SL to TL, even if the latter does not have direct equivalents.
Example: A friend in need is a friend indeed
Hoạn nạn mới biết bạn hiền.
Restricted translation is replacement of SL textual by equivalent TL textual material, at only one level.
According to Nguyen Manh Quang, M.A [4, p6], in this translation, the main thing is SL phonology is replaced with equivalent TL one, but there are hardly other important replacements.
In phonological translation, sometimes grammatical or lexical changes may result accidentally.
In graphological translation, SL graphology is replaced with equivalent target one without other considerable replacements, also noted by Nguyen Manh Quang, M.A [4, p8].
Example: number one -> năm- bờ- quanh
In transliteration, SL graphological units are replaced with corresponding
SL phonological units Then these SL phonological units are translated into equivalent TL phonological units Finally, the TL phonological units are replaced with corresponding TL graphological units [4, p8].
Example: Singapore -> Xin- ga-po
2.1.3.5 Free, Literal, and Word-for-word Translation
A "free" translation offers flexibility and creativity, while a "word-for-word" translation adheres closely to the original text "Literal" translation strikes a balance between these two approaches, beginning with a direct translation but adapting to the target language's grammar by altering structures and adding words as necessary This process can result in translations that focus on groups of words or clauses.
Free translation: Give him an inch and he will take a yard.
Được đằng chân lên đằng đầu.
Word-for-word translation: The man standing overthere is my brother.
Người đàn ông đứng ở đằng kia là anh trai của tôi.
Literal translation: She is deaf to all his advice.
Cô ta lờ đi tất cả những gì anh ta khuyên.
Principles and Methods of Translation
There are some basic principles of translation listed by M.A Nguyen Manh Quang [4, p18 - p22].
The translation should reflect accurately the meaning of the original text. Nothing should be arbitrarily added or moved, though occasionally part of the meaning can be “transpose”
Example: He was limp with fatigue
Anh ta mệt đến độ không đứng lên nổi.
To ensure accurate translation, the sequence of words and phrases should closely align with the original text It is essential to maintain the form and order of words When uncertain, underline the key words in the original to highlight where the main stress lies In English, emphasis can be achieved by altering word order and employing varied sentence structures.
Example: Only by practicing English every day can you speak it fluently.
Chỉ bằng cách luyện tập tiếng Anh hàng ngày bạn mới có thể nói trôi chảy được.
Languages often differ greatly in their levels of formality in a given context To resolve these differences, the translator must distinguish between formal and fixed expression.
Example: Please do not touch the item
Xin vui lòng không động vào hiện vật.
One of the most frequent issues in translation is that it often lacks a natural flow, primarily because the translator's choices are heavily influenced by the original text To achieve a more organic translation, it is advisable for translators to momentarily set the text aside and practice translating a few sentences from memory, allowing them to capture more natural language patterns.
Example: He have had my television fixed.
Anh ta đã nhờ sửa cái tivi của ấy.
Idiomatic expressions, including similes, metaphors, proverbs, and sayings, cannot be translated directly To maintain the original meaning, translators should keep the original phrase in inverted commas, provide a literal explanation in brackets, use close equivalents, or opt for a non-idiomatic, plain prose translation.
Example : Easier said than done.
Nói thì dễ, làm thì khó.
Example: Bite the hand that feeds you.
The original style should be preserved, but any sloppy writing or excessive repetition may be corrected for clarity For example, instead of saying, "He ate, and drank, and talked, and asked during the meal," a more concise version could be used to enhance readability.
Ông ta vừa ăn uống luôn miệng nói, hỏi suốt bữa ăn.
All methods of translation below are defined by M.A Nguyen ManhQuang, [4, p14-p18].
Interlinear translation typically features the target language (TL) text positioned directly beneath the source language (SL) words, maintaining the original word order Each word is translated individually using its most frequent meaning, often without considering the broader context For instance, in the sentence "There is a box on the table," this method illustrates how translations can be presented in a straightforward manner.
Có một chiếc hộp ở trên bàn.
The SL grammatical constructions are converted to their nearest TL equivalents, but the lexical words are again translated singly out of context.
As a pre-translation process, this indicates the problem to be solved.
Example: This program is sponsored by Walls.
Chương trình này được tài trợ bởi Walls.
A faithful translation aims to accurately convey the original context while adhering to the grammatical structures of the target language It effectively transfers cultural nuances and maintains the original text's grammatical and lexical uniqueness For instance, a statement about a beach might indicate that it is seldom crowded, typically frequented only by locals seeking fresh air and swimming.
Bờ biển thường vắng vẻ, chủ yếu chỉ có người dân địa phương đến để tận hưởng không khí trong lành và tắm biển.
This approach prioritizes the aesthetic quality of the source language (SL) text, emphasizing a beautiful and natural sound while allowing for some compromises on meaning It avoids jarring elements such as assonance, wordplay, or repetition in the final translation Additionally, less significant cultural terms may be translated using culturally neutral or functional terms instead of direct cultural equivalents, making minor adjustments to cater to the readership's understanding.
Example: English for future leaders.
Tiếng Anh giành cho thế hệ dẫn dắt tương lai.
This translation approach is the most flexible, primarily applied to plays and poetry It retains the original themes, characters, and plots while adapting the source language culture to the target language, resulting in a rewritten text.
Example: The Scarlet Letter (The name of a novel)
This produces the “message” of the original again but tends to distort the nuances of meaning by preferring colloquialisms and idioms where these do not exist in the original.
Example: Add fuel to the fire.
This translation method aims to accurately convey the original context while ensuring that both the content and language are easily understandable for the audience It is commonly used in news broadcasts and articles In some cases, communicative and semantic translations may align closely.
Example: Please hand in your key at the desk
Xin gửi chìa khóa ở quầy tiếp tân
Situational context encompasses the various factors and circumstances that shape the meaning of a text, often more challenging to identify than linguistic elements These factors include micro-level aspects such as facial expressions, gestures, and body language, as well as broader influences like social, political, and economic environments and overarching cultural norms Additionally, conventions and value systems can vary significantly between different cultures and societies, impacting interpretation and understanding.
SUGGESTED TRANSLATION
THE ROAD TO HOME ĐƯỜNG VỀ NHÀ
Stephanie Louann Jennings, like many young adults, experienced a typical childhood filled with belief in various holidays However, her mother restricted her from participating in the enjoyable activities associated with those celebrations.
Giống như nhiều bạn trẻ khác, Stephanie Louann Jennings đã trải qua thời thơ ấu đầy ước mơ và khao khát Cô luôn tin rằng, dù mẹ không cho phép tham gia các lễ hội, cô vẫn sẽ tìm cách đến những nơi đó để tận hưởng không khí vui tươi.
P2 She remembered that when she was five her mother got mad because the church was having a
The Christmas party, organized in collaboration with another church of the same denomination in a nearby larger town, faced a hurdle when her mother outright denied her permission to attend, despite the event taking place in their own small community.
Khi cô lên 5 tuổi, mẹ cô đã rất tức giận vì nhà thờ tổ chức tiệc Giáng sinh chung với một nhà thờ khác tại một thị trấn lớn hơn Bà đã kiên quyết không cho cô tham gia bữa tiệc, dù nó diễn ra ở thị trấn nhỏ của họ.
P3 Santa was going to be there and all she wanted was one doll The last
Christmas she got a doll but it was just a little three inch flexible one that the dog next door chewed its
Santa Claus is coming soon, and all she desires is a walking, talking doll Last Christmas, she received a tiny 3-inch doll that was loose and had its head chewed off by the neighbor's dog This time, she hopes to convey her wish to Santa, knowing that if she doesn't make it to see him, he won't know what she truly wants for Christmas.
She eagerly peered out of her room's window until she spotted him disembarking from his horse-drawn sleigh, prompting her to dash out the back door As she approached him, she called out, "Please!"
Santa stop, so I can tell you what I want My momma won't let me come inside Santa stopped for her and she gave him her list.
Cô nhìn ra cửa sổ và thấy ông già Noel bước xuống từ chiếc xe ngựa trượt tuyết Khi ông tiến đến cửa sau, cô hô lớn xin ông dừng lại để cô có thể đưa danh sách quà Mặc dù mẹ cô không cho phép, nhưng cô vẫn muốn nói với ông về những món quà mà mình mong muốn.
That Christmas, a gift appeared outside her window, precisely where she had requested it Her mother was initially angry with her, but her grandmother revealed that she had secretly placed the doll there for her to find It was the very doll she had wished for.
Vào mùa Giáng sinh năm đó, cô bé nhận được một món quà bất ngờ đặt bên ngoài cửa sổ phòng mình Mẹ cô đã nổi giận với cô, nhưng bà của cô đã giải thích rằng chính bà là người đã mua món quà và đặt nó ở đó để cô dễ thấy Đó chính là con búp bê mà cô luôn ao ước sở hữu.
P6 Her grandmother went to that church but for some reason her mother didn't go and wouldn't allow
P6 Bà của Stephanie đi đến nhà thờ đó nhưng vì lí do nào đó mà mẹ cô không đến và cũng không cho phép
Stephanie accompanied her grandmother, who was prohibited from taking any pictures of her to share with the other members of their church.
Stephanie was unaware that the preacher was actually Santa, and she understood that her grandmother struggled to afford anything more than a dollar or two, as their limited funds were primarily allocated for bills and food.
Stephanie không biết rằng người thuyết giáo chính là ông già Noel, người đã nhận ra rằng bà của cô không thể chi tiêu cho những món đồ có giá trị hơn một hoặc hai đô la, vì toàn bộ số tiền đã được dành để thanh toán hóa đơn và mua thực phẩm cho gia đình.
P8 The doll she got the year before came out of the church's toy box.
Her grandmother lovingly cared for the doll, washing its hair and clothes The doll was a special gift, purchased with the deacons' permission and placed under her window for her to discover on Christmas Day Growing up, she had limited interactions with other children.
Cô bé nhận được một con búp bê từ hộp đồ chơi của nhà thờ vào năm trước, sau khi bà của cô giặt quần áo và làm lại tóc cho búp bê Được sự đồng ý của các thầy trợ tế, ông già Noel đã đặt con búp bê dưới cửa sổ phòng cô vào ngày Giáng sinh Cô bé rất ít giao tiếp với những đứa trẻ khác.
P9 She attended a home schooled program at a retired school teacher's home There were only three children that attended the home school The other two children were
Stephanie học tại nhà với một giáo viên đã nghỉ hưu, nơi chỉ có ba trẻ em tham gia lớp học Hai trong số đó bị tật, không thể đến trường bình thường và cũng không có mặt tại nhà giáo viên khi Stephanie đến học.