RATIONALE
In contemporary society, culture plays a vital role in our lives, with the culture industry emerging as a key aspect of modern capitalism This industry generates various forms of light entertainment to meet the demands of consumers, who predominantly access cultural products through commercial channels Unlike past traditions of enjoying live performances, such as operas or plays, today’s cultural experiences are largely provided by corporations that produce these offerings much like any other manufactured goods.
I am passionate about culture and seeking a book for my graduation paper on the culture industry The title "The Culture Industry" piqued my interest, as it explores various aspects of the culture industry, highlighting the organized freedom it offers consumers The book argues that while this integration of leisure and consciousness is appealing, it has yet to be fully realized.
Free time is a valuable opportunity for individuals to express and enjoy their unique hobbies This interest has led me to focus on Chapter VIII of "The Culture Industry" for my graduation paper, as it explores the significance of leisure in contemporary culture.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
Aims
Translating Chapter VIII from the second edition of "The Culture Industry" will enhance readers' understanding of the culture industry while allowing me to refine my translation skills and expand my knowledge in cultural studies.
Objectives
Upon completing my graduation paper, I will be able to solidify my knowledge and gain a deeper understanding of various translation methods applicable to different texts Additionally, I will enhance my translation skills, including structural analysis, vocabulary development, and contextual comprehension.
SCOPE OF THE STUDY
Text Features
The concepts of "free time" and "leisure time," along with "hobbies" and "interests," have become integral to our daily lives and conversations Theodor Wiesengrund Adorno, a prominent German philosopher and member of the Frankfurt School, offers a unique perspective on these terms in his influential essay "Free Time." Through an anti-capitalist lens, Adorno explores the meanings of free time, freedom, and boredom, enriching our understanding of their significance in contemporary society.
Chapter VIII, titled "Freetime," explores the concept of the culture industry, which offers a structured form of freedom that consumers accept willingly The chapter argues that true integration between free time and consciousness remains unachieved, suggesting that without a reduction in social contradictions, this integration will not occur Theodor Adorno concludes that achieving maturity may lead not to mere "free time," but to genuine "freedom."
Text Length
I only choose Chapter VIII “Free time” The translated text has 3600 words, including 64 paragraphs.
Text Organization
“The Culture Industry” book has 9 chapters, and I choose Chapter VIII to translate This chapter has the name: “Freetime”.
Text Source
“The Culture Industry” book was written by by TheodorW.Adorno,2001.
METHOD OF THE STUDY
Over the past four years, I have developed a range of skills and acquired valuable knowledge This graduation paper allows me to apply my expertise to the translation process, particularly focusing on educational vocabulary and effective translation methods.
THEORETICAL BACKGROUND
Translation theory
There are many concepts of translation all over the world Some authors have given the following different definitions of translation:
According to Catford, he said that translation is the replacement of textual material in one language (SL) by equivalent textual material in another language (TL)
Peter Newmark thought that translation is rendering the meaning of a text into another language in the way that the author intended the text
Meanwhile, Meetham and Hudson had a different definition:
“Translation is the replacement of a text in one language by a replacement of an equivalent text in a second language.”
J C Catford (1965) identifies eight distinct methods of translation, which include full and partial translation, total and restricted translation, as well as phonological and graphological translation Additionally, he categorizes translation into free, literal, and word-for-word approaches.
The distinction pertains to the scope of the source language text involved in the translation process, which can range from an entire book to a single clause or even a conceptual idea that lacks formal linguistic representation.
A "full" translation involves the complete conversion of a source language (SL) text into a target language (TL) text, ensuring that every element of the original content is accurately replaced with its corresponding translation.
Anh ấy là một học sinh.
- In a “partial” translation, some part or parts of the SL text are left non- translated: they are simply transferred to and incorporated in the TL text
Thật là một ngày tuyệt vời!
This distinction relates to the levels of language involved in translation.
Total translation involves substituting the grammar and vocabulary of the source language (SL) with corresponding grammar and vocabulary of the target language (TL) This process also leads to a change in the phonology or graphology of the SL, which is replaced by the non-equivalent phonology or graphology of the TL.
Example: When the murderer was arrested, his accomplice escaped
Khi kẻ sát nhân bị bắt, đồng phạm của hắn ta đã tẩu thoát được.
Restricted translation refers to the process of substituting source language (SL) text with target language (TL) text at a single level, focusing specifically on either phonology or graphology, or on one of the grammatical or lexical levels This concept, as defined by J C Catford in 1965, emphasizes the limited scope of translation, highlighting that it does not encompass the full spectrum of linguistic elements.
Example: New York Niu – Ooc
In phonological translation, the phonology of the source language (SL) is substituted with the equivalent phonology of the target language (TL) This process involves minimal alterations, with changes in grammar or vocabulary occurring only as incidental outcomes of the phonological translation.
Example: Malaysia Ma-lay-si-a
In graphological transaltion, SL graphology is replaced with equivalent
TL graphology with no other replacements, except, again, accidental changes.
Transliteration involves a multi-step translation process where the source language's (SL) graphological units are initially substituted with their corresponding phonological units These SL phonological units are then translated into equivalent phonological units in the target language (TL) Finally, the TL phonological units are transformed back into the appropriate graphological units of the target language.
1.2.6 Free, Literal, and Word- for- word Translation
A "free" translation offers flexibility and creativity, while a "word-for-word" translation adheres strictly 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 modifying structures and adding words as necessary This process can result in translations that operate at the group or clause level.
Example: Bad news has wings
Tin xấu có nhiều cánh (Word-for-word)
Tin xấu có thể lan đi nhiều nơi (Literal)
Tiếng dữ đồn xa (Free)
1.3 Methods and Principles Of Translation
There are many methods of translation suggested by scholars besides word-for-word, sentence-to-sentence translations According to Peter
Newmark (1988: 45-47), there are eight methods of translation which can be illustrated as follows:
Interlinear translation involves placing the target language directly beneath the source language, maintaining the original word order This method translates words according to their most common meanings, often without considering context, and treats cultural terms literally Word-for-word translation serves primarily to grasp the structural nuances of the source language or to aid in the pre-translation of complex texts.
Example: There is a book on the table.
Có một cuốn sách 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: She is deaf to all his advice.
Cô ấy lờ đi tất cả những lời khuyên của anh ta.
A faithful translation aims to accurately convey the original context and meaning while adhering to the grammatical structures of the target language (TL) It effectively transfers cultural terms and maintains the level of grammatical and lexical uniqueness found in the source language (SL) This approach seeks to honor the intentions and stylistic choices of the original writer, ensuring a true representation of the text.
Example: We could see the Mekong river winding its way through the plains below.
Chúng tôi có thể nhìn thấy con sông Mekong uốn khúc qua những cánh đồng bên dưới.
This approach prioritizes the aesthetic quality of the source language (SL) text, emphasizing the importance of a beautiful and natural sound over strict adherence to meaning It aims to avoid jarring elements such as assonance, wordplay, or repetition in the final translation Additionally, it may translate less significant cultural terms using culturally neutral or functional equivalents rather than direct cultural counterparts, making minor concessions to better suit the readership.
The difference between "faithful" and "semantic" translation lies in their approaches; faithful translation is strict and unyielding, whereas semantic translation offers greater flexibility This flexibility permits creative deviations from complete fidelity, enabling the translator to connect intuitively with the original text.
Example: The third world is vulnerable owing to its extreme specialization The export earnings of many developing countries are based on just two or three main products.
Thế giới thứ ba thường dễ bị tổn thương do sự chuyên môn hóa quá mức, dẫn đến việc nhiều quốc gia đang phát triển phụ thuộc vào thu nhập từ xuất khẩu chủ yếu chỉ dựa vào hai hoặc ba sản phẩm chủ lực.
Free translation is the most flexible translation method, primarily utilized for plays and poetry It focuses on maintaining the original themes, characters, and plots while adapting the source language's cultural elements to resonate with the target language's culture, resulting in a rewritten text that captures the essence of the original work.
Example: These flowers with many colors are blooming
Những đóa hoa sặc sỡ đang nở rộ.
Free translation focuses on conveying the content of the original text while neglecting its form, resulting in a paraphrase that is often longer and more elaborate This type of translation, known as "intra-lingual translation," can come across as verbose, pretentious, and may even feel disconnected from the original work.
Example: The film is beyond any words.
Bộ phim không chê vào đâu được.
SUGGESTED TRANSLATION
[P1] The question concerning free time, what people do with it and what opportunities could eventually evolve from it, must not be posed as an abstract generalisation.
[P2] Incidentally the expression ‘free time’ or ‘spare time’ originated only recently – its precursor, the term
Leisure, or 'Muβe', represents the luxury of a relaxed and comfortable lifestyle, signifying a distinct and more favorable quality of life It highlights a specific contrast with time that is not free or spare but is instead filled with work and characterized as heteronomous Thus, free time is inherently linked to its opposite, underscoring the complex relationship between leisure and labor.
[P3] Indeed the oppositional relation in which it stands imbues free time with
Khoảng thời gian rảnh rỗi không nên bị coi là khái niệm trừu tượng Một câu hỏi quan trọng là mọi người thường làm gì trong thời gian này và những lợi ích nào có thể đạt được từ các hoạt động đó.
Gần đây, cụm từ 'thời gian rảnh rỗi' hay 'thời gian giải trí' đã được khơi dậy, phản ánh quyền có một cuộc sống thoải mái và không bị gò bó Trước đây, những hoạt động này thường liên quan đến sự lành mạnh, nhưng hiện tại, chúng còn chỉ ra sự khác biệt khi mà thời gian rảnh rỗi cũng bị chi phối bởi công việc, dẫn đến cảm giác áp đặt.
Indeed, the concept of free time is deeply influenced by certain essential characteristics Moreover, it is crucial to recognize that free time is shaped by the overall social conditions that continue to exert control over individuals As a result, people often find themselves lacking true freedom in both their work and their awareness of self.
It is crucial to recognize that distinguishing between individuals and their social roles is not straightforward, as these roles significantly influence fundamental human traits In today's era of unprecedented social integration, it becomes increasingly challenging to identify any aspect of human nature that is not shaped by these functional roles.
Free time is significantly influenced by various social conditions, which dictate how individuals experience and perceive their leisure Even when the pressures of daily life are eased, people remain bound by the societal frameworks that shape their freedoms Ultimately, both in work and consciousness, individuals cannot escape the inherent nature of freedom that is imposed upon them.
Mỗi cá nhân đều có vai trò riêng trong xã hội, thể hiện sự khác biệt độc đáo của họ, khiến việc xác định bản chất con người trở nên phức tạp trong một xã hội hội nhập Khi nói đến thời gian rảnh, điều này cho thấy rằng trong những khoảnh khắc thư giãn, mọi người thường bị ảnh hưởng bởi những yếu tố mà họ cố gắng thoát khỏi trong lúc không làm việc, dù họ có thể tin rằng mình đang hành động theo ý muốn tự do.
The critical question regarding the phenomenon of free time is: what happens to free time when labor productivity continues to increase, yet individuals remain in conditions of unfreedom? This situation arises from inherited production relations that dictate the rules of human existence, just as they have throughout history.
In today's world, free time has significantly increased and is expected to grow even more due to advancements in automation and atomic power, which remain underutilized This desire for more leisure time has driven individuals to seek ways to escape from their jobs.
Hiện nay, câu hỏi quan trọng cần làm rõ về trạng thái rảnh rỗi là: chúng ta thường làm gì trong thời gian rảnh? Năng suất lao động tiếp tục tăng ở những lĩnh vực nào? Trong bối cảnh sự không tự do kéo dài và dưới những quan hệ sản xuất mà con người phải đối mặt, những quy định nào về quy luật tồn tại của con người ngày nay vẫn giữ nguyên như trước đây?
Trong thời đại hiện nay, thời gian rảnh của con người đã gia tăng đáng kể Sự gia tăng này sẽ tiếp tục mở rộng nhờ vào những phát minh trong lĩnh vực tự động hóa và năng lượng nguyên tử, những lĩnh vực vẫn chưa được khai thác triệt để.
The concept of 'free time' appears to be evolving into its own contradiction, increasingly resembling a parody of its original intent This shift suggests that unfreedom is gradually encroaching upon what is perceived as leisure, with many individuals unaware of both their lack of freedom and the transformation of their free time into something unrecognizable.
In interviews, individuals are often asked about their hobbies, highlighting their significance in personal narratives Illustrated weeklies frequently seize the chance to delve into the hobbies of prominent cultural figures, offering insights into their lives with varying levels of detail.
[P10] I am shocked by the question
Nếu mọi người trả lời câu hỏi mà không có định kiến, họ sẽ nhận ra rằng thời gian rảnh rỗi đang dần mất đi ý nghĩa thực sự và trở thành một bản sao của chính nó Sự mất tự do đang ngày càng hòa nhập vào khái niệm "thời gian rảnh rỗi", và nhiều người không nhận thức được điều này vì họ chính là biểu hiện của sự mất tự do đó.
Tôi muốn chia sẻ những kinh nghiệm quý báu từ những điều nhỏ nhặt trong cuộc sống hàng ngày Thường thì, khi được phỏng vấn, người ta thường hỏi về sở thích của người khác Trong các tuần báo hàng tuần về cuộc sống của những người nổi tiếng trong giới giải trí, họ thường không từ chối việc chia sẻ sở thích cá nhân của mình.
ANALYSIS
Vocabulary
Vocabulary is essential for constructing coherent sentences, as many words possess multiple meanings that require careful selection based on context In some cases, words may not be found in dictionaries, prompting us to infer their meanings from surrounding text Additionally, translating often presents challenges with unfamiliar idioms and phrases, further emphasizing the importance of context in understanding language.
Below are some words and phrases that have caused a lot of difficulties for me when translating this text
3.1.1 Word and phrase with no appropriate meaning in dictionary.
My suggested version is as follows.
“Neither in their work nor in their consciousness do people dispose of genuine freedom over themselves” [Page 12, P3]
In the Cambridge Dictionary, the verb “dispose” means:
- to make someone feel a particular way towards someone or something
- to make someone feel a particular, and often bad, way toward someone else, or to influence someone in a particular way
In my view, the dictionary definition of the word "dispose" does not fit the context of the sentence After considering various Vietnamese meanings like "sắp đặt" and "quyết định," I chose to translate "dispose" as "áp dụng." This choice aligns better with the discussion of social conditions in the preceding paragraph, making it more relevant to the overall content and context.
My suggested version is as follows:
“Cả trong công việc lẫn ý thức, con người đều không thể thoát khỏi bản chất của tự do đang áp dụng lên chính họ”
Adults often express genuine concerns about children's well-being, fearing that they may overexert themselves during leisure time This includes worries about excessive reading and staying up late at night.
When looking up the word “worries” in the Oxford Learner’s Dictionary,
I found this word has the following meanings:
- to keep thinking about unpleasant things that might happen or about problems that you have
- to make somebody/yourself anxious about somebody/something
- to annoy or disturb somebody
- To choose suitable meaning for the word “worries”, I look up the adjective “well - meaning” There are some meanings as following:
- that wanting to have a good effect, but not always achieving one
- that intending to do what is right and helpful but often not succeeding
In light of the definitions provided, I explored various interpretations of the phrase “well-meaning worries” in Vietnamese To enhance clarity for readers, I recommend translating this noun phrase as “mối lo ngại.” This translation aims to facilitate a better understanding of the sentence's context.
My suggested version is as follows:
Việc trẻ em học tập quá sức trong thời gian rảnh rỗi có thể gây ra lo ngại từ người lớn, dẫn đến quan điểm rằng trẻ không nên đọc quá nhiều sách hoặc thức khuya vào buổi tối.
The aim was to evaluate how the German public engaged with the extensively covered wedding event, which was featured across various mass media platforms and heavily discussed in illustrated weeklies, capturing the attention of audiences during their leisure time.
After looking up the dictionary and carefully considering the given context, I think the appropriate Vietnamese meaning should be: “liên tục”
My suggested version as follows:
Mục tiêu của nghiên cứu là đánh giá phản ứng của công chúng Đức đối với các đám cưới được phát sóng liên tục trên các phương tiện truyền thông đại chúng hàng tuần, nhằm tìm hiểu sự đón nhận của họ trong thời gian rảnh rỗi.
The notion that individuals can save money by avoiding services reflects an outdated perspective rooted in self-interest This viewpoint overlooks the essential role that the exchange of specialized skills plays in sustaining a society built on the division of labor.
In the Oxford Learner’s Dictionary, the noun “interest” means:
- the quality that something has when it attracts somebody’s attention or makes them want to know more about it
- the extra money that you pay back when you borrow money or that you receive when you invest money
- a good result or an advantage for somebody/something
- I had trouble translating the adjective “stubborn” When looking it up in the Oxford Learner’s Dictionary, I found this word has the following meanings:
- determined not to change your opinion or attitude
- opposed to change or suggestion
- difficult to get rid of or deal with
The term "stubborn" effectively conveys the idea of being determined not to change one's opinion or attitude Similarly, the word "interest" can be aptly defined as "bảo thủ," reflecting a suitable interpretation within the context of the sentence.
Hence, I suggested translation version for this noun phrase “” is: “lợi ích cá nhân bảo thủ”
My suggested version is as follows:
Trong xã hội phân công lao động, quan niệm tiết kiệm chi phí cho dịch vụ phản ánh một tư duy tư sản lỗi thời Đây là một nền kinh tế dựa trên lợi ích cá nhân bảo thủ, nơi mà sự trao đổi kỹ năng chuyên môn là cần thiết để duy trì hoạt động của toàn bộ hệ thống.
Idioms are a form of figurative language that convey specific sentiments without being taken literally While the individual words in an idiom may have different meanings, together they express a unique concept or feeling.
A phrasal verb consists of a main verb combined with an adverb, a preposition, or both, and its meaning often cannot be deduced from the individual words.
Example 5: make a mockery of something
“Making music, listening to music, reading with all my attention, these activities are part and parcel of my life; to call them hobbies would make a mockery of them.”
[P16, P11] According to Oxford Learner’s Dictionary, the idiom “make a mockery of something” means “to make something seem ridiculous or useless”.
Hence, I translated this idiom as “làm mất đi”.
My suggested version as follows:
Khi viết nhạc, nghe nhạc và đọc sách, tôi luôn duy trì sự tập trung cao độ, vì những hoạt động này là phần thiết yếu trong cuộc sống của tôi Nếu coi chúng chỉ là sở thích, chúng sẽ mất đi giá trị thực sự của mình.
Example 6: hold of the spell
The concept of free time is crucial, as it highlights that even when individuals feel a sense of autonomy, their choices are still influenced by the same societal pressures they attempt to evade during their leisure hours.
According to the Cambridge Dictionary, "the spell" refers to a brief period during which one person performs a task typically done by another, allowing them to rest This translates to "trong khoảng thời gian ngắn" in Vietnamese, which I believe accurately reflects the intended meaning in this context.
My suggested version as follows: