INTRODUCTION
Rationale
During my four years at Duy Tan University in the Faculty of English, I acquired specialized knowledge and honed my translation skills My passion for translation was particularly ignited by cultural topics, which I found to be the most engaging among the various types of documents I translated.
Culture is a comprehensive concept that encompasses the material and spiritual values developed and shared by society throughout history It includes specific characteristics such as language, ideology, and religion Ultimately, culture represents the accumulation of values passed down through generations over time.
I chose the book "Korean culture and customs" to translate because it describes and presents all about war, life, entertainment, people, customs, religion, and politics from both past and present
This captivating book serves as a comprehensive introduction to modern Korean culture, highlighting its rich historical roots My favorite section, Chapter 3, delves into the origins of Korean art and literature during ancient dynasties It explores the distinctive architectural styles, the intricate processes of sculpture, folk painting, poetry, and legends, while also celebrating the great artists who shaped these cultural expressions.
Although culture is a popular topic, I translated this book to give readers a deeper understanding of Korean culture, the lives of Korean people, and the hidden corners of Korean culture.
Overall, I hope I made an excellent choice and obtained a high rating.
Aims and Objectives
This graduation paper focuses on two main points.
This paper aims to assist translators in utilizing their specialized knowledge and translation skills acquired in university to effectively translate diverse documents, including cultural books Additionally, it encourages translators to assess their translation abilities and analyze their skills throughout the translation process.
This paper aims to equip translators with effective strategies to enhance their translation and analysis skills while avoiding common pitfalls Additionally, it offers valuable insights that can help translators gain experience, improve their expertise, and prepare for future career opportunities.
After accomplishing my graduation paper, I achieved the following targets:
- To translate the original text smoothly and naturally.
- To analyze difficult words, vocabularies, phrases, complex structures, and sentences in the text.
- To review and apply specialized knowledge.
- To improve translation and analysis skills.
Scope of the study
This study examines the translation and analysis of the suggested version in chapter
This article examines key insights from Donald N Clark's book, "Culture and Customs of Korea," while also addressing the challenges faced during the translation process It highlights issues related to sentence structures, grammar, and word semantics, providing a comprehensive analysis of these difficulties.
Chapter 3 of "Culture and Customs of Korea" explores the rich arts and literature of both North and South Korea, highlighting significant elements such as traditional Korean paintings, architectural achievements, poetry, novels, and notable artists This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of the cultural heritage that shapes the artistic landscape of the Korean peninsula.
This book has 9 chapters with 205 pages Because the time is limited, I chose chapter 3 with 4,709 words to translate The chapter is named “Arts and Literature”.
There are 9 chapters in the book “Culture and Customs of Korea” written by Donald
1 The Story of the Korean People
8 Gender , Marriage, and the Lives of Korean Women
The chapter 3 named “ Arts and Literature” is the chapter I choose to translate and analysis.
The text comes from the book “ CULTURE AND CUSTOMS OF KOREA” written by Donald N Clark This book was published by Greenwood Publishing Group in
2000 I got this book on Amazon.com
Methods of the study
- Understanding the main content of the book by scanning and skimming
- Reading deeply the chapter needs to translation
- Using the specialized knowledge to translate, noting the difficult words and complicated sentences.
- Searching from the internet and dictionaries to find the meanings of those vocabularies or referring to structures
- Asking the supervisor for help in need.
- Applying analysis theories to analyze complex structures, phrases, difficult words.
- Examining the text's polysemous terms and specialist terminology.
Organization of the study
The study includes three main parts:
This section is about introduces the rationale, aims and objectives, scope, methods and organization of the study.
This part is devided into three parts:
Principles and methods of transltion.
This section will present a suggested translation of the graduation paper.
This part will analyze the words and structures in the translation
This chapter will show the difficulties I meet and how to deal with them.
This chapter includes a summary of results, experiences I achieved through this graduation paper, and some suggestions that I wanted to introduce to the university and the Faculty.
THEORICAL BACKGROUND
Translation theory
Translation is a multifaceted concept defined in various ways by dictionaries and academic literature, each providing a valid perspective This diversity in definitions highlights the complexity of translation as a discipline, reflecting its nuanced nature and the different contexts in which it is applied.
“Translation is the process of conveying messages across linguistic and cultural barriers.”
“Translation is the replacement of textual material in one language (source language) by equivalent textual material in another language (target language).”
“Translation is a process of rendering the meaning of a text into another language in the way that the author intended the text.”
Translation involves comprehending the meaning of a text in the source language (SL) and conveying it accurately in the target language (TL) A translator plays a crucial role in bridging different languages, cultures, and societies.
Types of categories
Types of categories of translation may be defined in terms of extent, levels, and ranks of translation.
According to J.C Carford,translation is devided into two categories: full and partial.
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 material.[3]
Example: Biodiversity is fundamental to achieving sustainable development.
Đa dạng sinh học là nền tảng để đạt được phát triển bền vững.
In a “partial” translation, some parts or parts of the source language text are left non-translated: they are simply transferred to and incorporated in the target language text.
Example: Vitamin D helps build strong bones and strengthens the body’s defenses against disease.
Vitamin D giúp xương chắc khỏe và tăng cường khả năng phòng vệ của cơ thể chống lại bệnh tật.
This distinction relates to the levels of language involved in translation.
In "total" translation, every level of the source language text is substituted with corresponding material in the target language However, the term "total" can be misleading, as this process involves complete replacement but does not guarantee equivalence across all levels.
In total translation, the grammar and vocabulary of the source language (SL) are substituted with their corresponding elements in the target language (TL) This process also involves the replacement of SL phonology and graphology with TL equivalents; however, such replacements are not typically executed with exact equivalents in the target language.
Example: Poverty is no sin
Đói nghèo không phải là tội lỗi.
In “restricted” translation, the source language is replaced with an equivalent one at only level (phonological/graphology) or at only one of the two levels of grammar and lexis.[3]
In this translation, the main thing is source language phonology is replaced with equivalent target language one, but there are hardly other important replacements.[2]
Source language graphology is replaced with equivalent target one without other considerable replacements.[2]
The process of phonological translation is intricate, as it incorporates phonology-graphology correlations in both the source and target languages Initially, the graphological units of the source language are substituted with their corresponding phonological units, which are then replaced by the appropriate graphological units in the target language.
2.2.6 Free, Literal, and Word-for-word Translation
A "free" translation offers flexibility without strict adherence to the original text, while a "word-for-word" translation is a direct and literal representation "Literal" translation occupies a middle ground, beginning with a word-for-word approach but adapting to the grammar and structure of the target language, which may involve adding words or altering sentence structures.
Example: The film is beyond any words
Bộ phim hay không chê vào đâu được.
SUGGESTED TRANSLATION
This section will present a suggested translation of the graduation paper.
ANALYSIS
Vocabulary
Vocabulary is crucial for effectively conveying the meaning of a sentence, as words can possess multiple definitions While dictionaries provide clear definitions, a translator must select the appropriate meaning that aligns with the context This complexity in vocabulary often presents challenges for translators Below, I have analyzed and curated specific words for translation to illustrate these difficulties.
Words with multi-meanings are words that have more than one meaning in the dictionary; each different meaning will be chosen based on the context of the text.
Example 1: “There were handbooks of examples that budding artists were supposed to copy until they had mastered the models of each thing.” [P22]
In this sentence, the word “mastered” has few meanings according to Cambridge Dictionary and Oxford Dictionary:
[1] to learn how to do something well
[2] to master new skills/ techniques
[3] to manage to control an emotion
It seems the second meaning is suitable for the word, so it is translated as “làm chủ, nắm vững, thành thạo” and I translate “thành thạo” in this situation.
"Các nghệ sĩ mới bắt đầu nên tham khảo các cuốn sổ tay chứa ví dụ để sao chép, giúp họ thành thạo các mô hình và kỹ thuật cần thiết."
Example 2: “"People's" artists presented scenes of struggle against injustice, depicting politicians and industrialists as rich and cruel abusers of workers and ordinary people” [P27]
Oxford Dictionary offers these following meanings for the word “presented”:
[1] to show or offer something for other people to look at or consider
[2] to give something to somebody, especially formally at a ceremony
[3] to show or describe something/somebody in a particular way
[4] to cause something to happen or be experienced
[5] to offer or express something in speech or writing
The word in question has multiple meanings, with the third definition being the most common In Vietnamese, it translates to "đưa ra, lộ ra, phô ra, bày tỏ," which captures the essence of revealing or expressing something.
“phác họa” to translate it in this context.
Các nghệ sĩ "nhân dân" đã khắc họa những cuộc chiến đấu chống lại bất công, miêu tả các chính trị gia và nhà tư bản công nghiệp là những kẻ giàu có, tàn nhẫn với công nhân và người dân.
Example 3: “They play golf and drink and keep mistresses, raking in money while talking in government slogans meant to make other people do all the work.”
In Cambridge Dictionary, the word “rake” is defined by some meanings:
[1] to pull a rake over a surface in order to make it level or to remove something
[2] to smooth or gather with a rake
[3] to fire guns at (a target) from one end of it to the other
The second meaning is the most suitable for this sentence It means “cào, gạt” in
Vietnamese, but in order to match the context of this sentence, I will translate it as
“vơ vét” for this word.
Họ tham gia chơi gôn, thưởng thức rượu, và duy trì các mối quan hệ tình cảm bên ngoài, trong khi tích cực thu gom tài sản và hô hào những khẩu hiệu của chính phủ để buộc người khác phải làm việc chăm chỉ hơn.
A phrasal verb consists of a verb paired with a preposition or adverb, resulting in a meaning that differs from the original verb I encountered several phrasal verbs that caused confusion during the translation of the source text.
Example 1: “The most skilled sijo poets employed symbols and allusions to get their points across.” [P34]
The phrasal verb "get something across," as defined by the Oxford Dictionary, means "to be communicated or understood; to succeed in communicating something." In Vietnamese, this phrasal verb can be translated as "truyền đạt."
Suggested version: “Các nhà thơ sijo lành nghề nhất đã sử dụng các biểu tượng và lời ám chỉ để truyền đạt ý kiến của họ.”
Example 2: “After Korea's liberation in 1945, the national division threw the arts community into turmoil and the Korean War (1950- 53) reduced everyone, including artists, to the level of battling to survive.” [P26]
The phrasal verb "throw sth into," as defined by Free Dictionary, refers to the act of abruptly or forcefully placing someone or something into a specific condition, position, or situation In Vietnamese, it translates to "ném vào," but I prefer to interpret this phrasal verb as "rơi vào."
Sau khi Hàn Quốc giành được độc lập vào năm 1945, sự chia cắt đất nước đã dẫn đến tình trạng hỗn loạn trong cộng đồng nghệ thuật Chiến tranh Triều Tiên từ năm 1950 đến 1953 đã buộc tất cả mọi người, bao gồm cả các nghệ sĩ, phải chiến đấu để sinh tồn.
As the Koryo kingdom faced imminent collapse under General Yi Songgye's impending takeover, his son Yi Pangwon (1367-1422) sought to sway influential statesman Chong Mongju by inviting him to dinner, aiming to gain his support for the revolutionary movement.
The phrasal verb "win someone over," as defined by the Cambridge Dictionary, refers to the act of successfully gaining someone's support or agreement, especially when they were initially opposed In Vietnamese, this concept translates to "lôi kéo, chinh phục," and I have chosen "thuyết phục" as the appropriate translation for this phrasal verb.
Khi vương quốc Koryo đứng trước nguy cơ sụp đổ do tướng Yi Songgye, con trai của tướng quân Yi Pangwon (1367-1422), đã mời Chong Mongju, một trong những chính khách hàng đầu của vương quốc, tham gia bữa tối nhằm thuyết phục ông ủng hộ sự nghiệp cách mạng.
DIFFICULTIES AND SOLUTIONS
Difficulties
Despite as a student in translating and interpreting, I still met several obstacles when completing this graduation assignment.
Understanding the main topic of the text is essential, as it encapsulates the overall content Unfortunately, translators often overlook or misinterpret this key aspect, leading to inaccurate translations filled with misleading expressions and a loss of meaning This oversight hinders their ability to effectively translate from the source language (SL) to the target language (TL).
One of the significant challenges I faced was the complex vocabulary and my limited understanding of the translation field The text contained a variety of terms with nuanced meanings, necessitating a deep knowledge of translation and adaptability in selecting the right equivalents in the target language Additionally, the specific functions of words, phrases, and their contextual usage further complicated the translation process.
One significant challenge in the translation process was the intricate grammar and structure used by the author The diverse sentence types employed to convey ideas made it difficult for the translator to accurately analyze and replicate the corresponding forms while preserving the original meaning As a result, the complexity of the structures often led to errors, especially when the translator focused solely on simpler forms.
The primary challenge I encountered was a significant lack of time, which hindered my ability to thoroughly study and understand the original text This time constraint resulted in a translation that felt unnatural and lacked fluidity, ultimately complicating my efforts to analyze the structure in depth.
CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTIONS
Summary
During my graduation project, I recognized several gaps in my knowledge as a translation and interpreting student Over four years at university, I have gained valuable skills and insights essential for becoming an effective translator However, I understand that what I have learned represents only a small fraction of the vast knowledge required in the translation field This experience has significantly enhanced my translation and analytical skills while offering numerous valuable insights.
While translating, I realized my vocabulary was insufficient in both the source language (SL) and target language (TL) The unfamiliarity with numerous terms hindered my ability to translate effectively Although I understood the author's message, the lack of Vietnamese vocabulary made it challenging to express ideas clearly in Vietnamese Therefore, a strong vocabulary foundation is essential for successful translation.
SL and TL is necessary for translators.
Having specialized knowledge in a specific field is crucial for translators, as it enhances their understanding of the author's intent and enables accurate translations Despite my research into cultural topics relevant to my document, I encountered challenges with the original text Nonetheless, I successfully translated a particular term, making the experience valuable for my growth as a translator.
This graduation paper highlighted my need for further study in grammar While I find it easy to analyze simple sentences, I struggle with more complex structures, often leading to incorrect analyses My confusion between different types of grammatical structures presents an opportunity for me to enhance my understanding and knowledge in this area.
Despite the grammatical and translation challenges in my graduation paper, I gained a deeper understanding of Korean culture This experience taught me how to effectively find equivalent expressions in the target language, allowing me to convey ideas more accurately based on the context.
In conclusion, to become a good translator, I need to keep learning and training in various fields to achieve more experience and enhance my skills.
Suggestions
To pursue a career as a translator, students must not only master essential and professional knowledge but also refine their translation skills through practical experience It is advisable for students to engage in translating documents across diverse fields, as this practice will enhance their specialized knowledge, increase their experience, and improve their overall translation proficiency.
To excel in translation, students must thoroughly understand translation methods and principles while dedicating time to mastering complex grammar and structures It is essential for them to practice both English and their native language, Vietnamese, to enhance their fluency and smoothness in translation Additionally, developing the skill to extract general information from the source text is crucial for effective document translation.
After four years of studying at Duy Tan University, I have some suggestions that I hope will be helpful for the English department in particular and the university in general.
Teachers should create more opportunities for students to apply translation theories and skills in practical settings In addition to imparting specialized knowledge, it is crucial to incorporate practical exercises that enhance students' translation abilities and facilitate their learning experience.
To enhance the learning experience, the school and English Faculty should establish clubs that foster an environment for students to exchange knowledge and share experiences This initiative aims to encourage students to engage more deeply in their studies and pursue specialized research, offering diverse perspectives on the role of a translator.
The limited timeframe for completing a thesis can be challenging, as the writing and editing process demands significant time and effort, especially alongside studying and obtaining certificates Therefore, it is anticipated that the school will consider extending the deadline to enable students to finish their graduation papers more effectively.
[1] Peter Newmark (1984), Approaches to Translation, Pergamon Press.
[2] Nguyễn Mạnh Quang (2013), Translation Theory, Duy Tan University,
[3] J.C Catford (1965), A Linguistic Theorry of Translation, Oxford University
[10] https://www.englishgrammar101.com/module-10/clauses/lesson-9/complex- and-compound-complex-sentences
[11] https://elight.edu.vn/tong-hop-60-cau-thanh-ngu-tieng-anh-hay-thong-dung- trong-cuoc-song/amp/
