INTRODUCTION
Rationale
In today's rapidly evolving translation industry, the demand for high-quality translation products has surged, prompting many translators to explore various facets of their craft, especially in literary translation These translators not only focus on accurately conveying the meaning and message of the original work but also strive to recreate its unique atmosphere This dedication often leads them to invest significant time in selecting the most appropriate word choices for specific contexts Additionally, dialects, as a form of nonstandard English, are increasingly recognized as vital elements in English literary translation.
Previously, many researchers worked on dialect in Victorian novels like TS Hakala
In their studies, Mortad-Serir Ilhem (2010, 2013) examined the characteristics of dialect in notable Victorian literature, highlighting the contradictions in its use within literary texts However, the topic of translating dialect was not addressed in their research.
In the last century, researchers Birgitta Englund Dimitrova (1997) and Ivana Tomešová (1998) explored the relationship between dialect and translation Their studies focused on analyzing dialects within literary works, providing valuable insights into the intricacies of dialect translation.
The article examines challenges in translating dialects within fictional works, evaluating a specific case of dialect translation into other languages However, it notes a lack of focus on effective strategies for naturally conveying these dialects in translation.
Research on dialect translation from foreign languages into Vietnamese is limited, primarily due to the scarcity of literary works that prominently feature dialects One notable example is Emily Bronte's "Wuthering Heights," which serves as an effective case study for translation phenomena The character Joseph's dialect has been a focal point for Irene Wiltshire (2005), who highlights its significance as a defining characteristic of the novel Joseph's speech authentically represents the Yorkshire dialect and stands out among other characters for its prominence Wiltshire's analysis also delves into Charlotte Bronte's revisions of Emily's dialect usage This study aims to address the gap in existing research by exploring how translators can effectively convey dialect nuances from English to Vietnamese.
Wuthering Heights is actually translated by some Vietnamese translators including Manh
Chuong (published in 2012 by Literature Publishing House) and Duong Tuong (published in 1985 by Literature Publishing House and in 2013 by Nha Nam Publishing
The researcher observes that while Manh Chuong translated Joseph’s dialect into standard Vietnamese, Duong Tuong’s translations (1986 and 2013) demonstrate a focus on the phonological aspects of Joseph’s speech Given the complexity of dialect, which encompasses phonological, lexical, and grammatical patterns, the researcher questions whether phonological adaptation is the sole effective strategy for translating dialect in the novel This inquiry prompts a study on Duong Tuong’s dialect translation strategies for Joseph’s speech.
Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte”.
Significance of the research
The research expects to bring advantages for translators in transferring dialect generally from English into Vietnamese, especially in literary text and attribute useful references in dialect translation store
This paper offers valuable strategies for translators working with literary texts, particularly in translating dialects It aims to enhance their understanding of non-standard language and inspire innovative approaches to translating various language forms Additionally, it seeks to improve their awareness and exploration of the target language, ultimately enriching their translation outcomes.
The researcher aims to enhance the field of dialect translation by contributing valuable findings and suggestions for future studies, thereby laying the groundwork for further exploration in this area.
This research aims to investigate the strategies utilized in translating the dialect present in Joseph's speech, identifying the most prevalent approach Additionally, the findings are intended to serve as a reference for translating dialects in literary works.
In order to achieve this purpose, the study revolves around the following questions:
1 What translation strategies are used by Duong Tuong (2014) to translate dialect in Joseph’s speech in Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte?
2 Which is the most dominant strategy applied by Duong Tuong based on categories suggested by Wakelin (1977)?
Due to limitedness of time, experience also knowledge, and as stated in the tittle “Duong
Tuong’s dialect translation strategies of Joseph’s speech in Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte”, this paper only covers one character with the most outstanding dialect “Joseph”
This character uses dialect in all the conversation with other characters while others sometimes mention dialect in their speeches
The researcher focuses exclusively on analyzing the 2013 translation of "Đồi Gió Hú," published by Nha Nam Publisher, as the chosen version for exploration.
The paper is divided into 5 chapters as below:
This chapter provides readers an overview of the study including the reason for choosing the topic, significance, objectives, scope, and its organization
Theoretical background in the light of which the research matters is discussed in this chapter
The chapter describes the strategies applied to investigate the research matters
This chapter presents analyses and discusses the results that the researcher found out from the collected data It also gives answer to the two research questions
The chapter summarizes the overall study and suggests some forms of further studies on the field.
Scope of the study
Due to limitedness of time, experience also knowledge, and as stated in the tittle “Duong
Tuong’s dialect translation strategies of Joseph’s speech in Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte”, this paper only covers one character with the most outstanding dialect “Joseph”
This character uses dialect in all the conversation with other characters while others sometimes mention dialect in their speeches
The researcher focuses exclusively on the 2013 translation of "Đồi Gió Hú," published by Nha Nam Publisher, for in-depth exploration and analysis.
Organization of the study
The paper is divided into 5 chapters as below:
This chapter provides readers an overview of the study including the reason for choosing the topic, significance, objectives, scope, and its organization
Theoretical background in the light of which the research matters is discussed in this chapter
The chapter describes the strategies applied to investigate the research matters
This chapter presents analyses and discusses the results that the researcher found out from the collected data It also gives answer to the two research questions
The chapter summarizes the overall study and suggests some forms of further studies on the field
LITERATURE REVIEW
Translation
Translation is the process of conveying the meaning of a text from one language to another, as intended by the original author, according to Newmark (1995) Similarly, Thomas G Mansella (2005) describes translation as the act of facilitating written communication across the barriers of diverse languages and cultures.
Translation involves rendering text from a source language into a target language, emphasizing both meaning and the essence of the original content Newmark highlights the importance of understanding language during translation, while Thomas identifies culture as an additional barrier Ultimately, translation is the process of transferring not only language but also the "soul" of the text across different languages.
According to Gentzler (1993), a translation must evoke a similar impact on target language (TL) readers as the original does on source language (SL) readers, highlighting the crucial role of translators They serve as a vital link between different countries and cultures, ensuring that not only the language is transferred, but also the writer's perspective and emotions, making the text feel natural in the target language.
In summary, this paper defines translation as the process of accurately conveying the meaning and intended effects of writers from the source language to the target language.
Literary works serve as powerful tools for expressing human emotions and cultural identity, reflecting the societal context of their time They embody the characteristics of the culture, society, or institutions from which they emerge As Lefevere (1988) suggests, literature is integral to the discourse systems that shape civilization, influencing societal norms while simultaneously reflecting human perspectives of the era.
The significance of literature directly correlates with the importance of its translation, highlighting the crucial role of the translator As Schleiermacher (2004, p.49) noted, a translator faces a choice: to either preserve the author's voice while guiding readers towards understanding or to immerse readers in the text, potentially altering the original intent.
In literary translation, the translator must navigate the delicate balance between fidelity to the original text and the natural flow of the translated work This involves finding equivalents not only in language and grammar but also in style, connotations, denotations, and cultural concepts Thomas's concept of "barriers" becomes particularly relevant in this context, highlighting the challenges translators face in bridging linguistic and cultural divides.
The debate over whether a faithful translation can be beautiful is complex, with theorists divided on the issue Nabokov (1955) argues that even the most awkward literal translations surpass the beauty of paraphrases, emphasizing the importance of loyalty to the original text In contrast, Fitzgerald (1878) champions the freedom inherent in translation Translators face the challenge of balancing accuracy with the aesthetic qualities of literature Yevgeny encapsulates this tension by stating, “Translation is like a woman If it is beautiful, it is not faithful If it is faithful, it is most certainly not beautiful.”
David Crystal (1995) notes that Standard English, encompassing grammar, vocabulary, and orthography, is predominantly used in rural or minority areas While often referred to as a dialect or variety, Standard English differs from accent, which pertains specifically to phonetic characteristics.
Dialect refers to a regional variation of Standard English, differing from one area to another It serves as a crucial aspect for dialect analysis and translation, with Standard language acting as a key reference point in this context (Berezowski, 1997).
Language evolves over time, influenced by generations and societal changes, leading to an increase in dialects and language varieties in literary works and their translations Translators aim to highlight nonstandard speech by contrasting it with standard language forms As Levý (1996, p 126) notes, a translator's primary achievement in dialect translation is to differentiate between nonstandard and standard speakers A significant challenge in this process is finding appropriate equivalents for various language forms, requiring translators to decide whether to preserve the original variability or fully adapt it to the target language.
The notion of dialect has been given by many theorists:
Crystal (1989) says that “dialect is also a variety of language that differs in pronunciation, as well as in vocabulary and grammar.”
Mona Baker (1992) somewhat suggests another definition, in which she considers this variety of language is spoken in a group of people or within a specific community
A dialect, as Haugen states, is then any of the related norms grouped under the general name language, historically the result of either divergence or convergence (Haugen,
Dialect is defined as a "variety" of language, emphasizing its status as a self-contained unit rather than a deviation from standard forms According to Newmark (1988), this concept of variety is crucial, as it highlights that dialects develop independently and possess unique characteristics akin to other language forms Haugen supports this notion, reinforcing the idea that dialects are legitimate expressions of language in their own right.
In 1966, it was concluded that while every dialect qualifies as a language, not all languages can be classified as dialects Despite its distinctions from standard languages, dialects are integral to the linguistic landscape, highlighting the unique characteristics of each language worldwide.
In research, "speech" refers to the spoken language utilized for communication (Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, 8th edition, 2010) In the novel, Joseph's speech encompasses all the sentences and expressions he employs to interact with others.
Dialect, a form of non-standard English, encompasses various types based on distinct features In his 1977 book "English Dialect," Wakelin highlights different classifications of dialects in the introduction, emphasizing their diversity and characteristics.
Firstly, based on geographical and social feature, Wakelin divided dialect into four kinds:
+ Regional Dialect which accounts for the largest number of dialect This type relates to particular geographical areas and people living in there
+ Class Dialect originated from social and economic causes However, according to
Wakelin, class dialect and regional dialect are somehow alike because the regional dialect’s origin is often explained to contain social feature
Wuthering Heights
Emily Bronte, born on July 30, 1818, in Thornton, Yorkshire, was the fifth of six children to Maria Branwell and Patrick Bronte, and the younger sister of Charlotte Bronte After the death of her mother when Emily was just three, her older sisters attended the Clergy Daughter’s School at Cowan Bridge, while Emily briefly attended a different school In 1824, the Bronte family moved to Haworth, West Riding of Yorkshire, where Emily spent her entire life and nurtured her literary talents.
"Wuthering Heights," Emily Brontë's sole novel, was published in December 1847 under the pseudonym Ellis Bell, with an initial print run of 250 copies The novel garnered immediate success due to its profound exploration of the human spirit, setting it apart from the Pre-Victorian focus on upper-class manners Tragically, Emily Brontë passed away from tuberculosis just a year later, on December 19, 1848.
Wuthering Heights, a classic of Victorian literature, explores the complex and paradoxical nature of love between Catherine Earnshaw, a spirited young woman, and Heathcliff, an orphan taken in by her father The narrative unfolds through the perspectives of two narrators, including Nelly, revealing the tumultuous relationship that defines their lives.
Dean – house keeper of Earnshaw’s family and Mr Lookwood, settings of the whole story are closely expressed with long peace moors in Yorkshire, England
In the preface to the 1850 edition of *Wuthering Heights*, Charlotte Bronte described the novel as crafted in a "wild workshop" with "simple tools," reflecting the harsh reactions it received from critics and readers who deemed it depressing and cruel Prior to its publication, the Bronte sisters—Charlotte, Emily, and Anne—had released poetry under the pseudonyms Currer, Ellis, and Acton Bell This led to speculation about the authorship of *Wuthering Heights*, with some believing it was penned by Charlotte Bronte, while others thought it could have been written by their brother Branwell, as such intense fiction seemed beyond a secluded clergyman's daughter Although the novel's value was not immediately acknowledged, it is now celebrated for Emily Bronte's exceptional linguistic talent and is regarded as one of the greatest literary works of all time.
In this novel, Bronte uniquely incorporates dialect into her characters' dialogue, enhancing the authenticity of their interactions Notably, the servant Joseph consistently employs dialect, distinguishing him among the cast As the loyal housekeeper of the Earnshaw family, Joseph, along with Nelly Dean, serves as a witness to the unfolding events in "Wuthering Heights" across generations Nelly Dean characterizes Joseph as “the wearisomest, self-righteous Pharisee that ever ransacked a Bible to rake the promises to himself and fling the curses on his neighbours,” highlighting his complex nature and role in the story.
In Brontë's 1994 work, Joseph is portrayed as a complex character—harsh and mean at times, yet truthful and kind, displaying deep respect for his master His distinctive dialect plays a significant role throughout the narrative, contributing to the story's scenes and development Although Joseph's speech is intelligible, it poses challenges for readers in terms of comprehension and analysis Nonetheless, it enriches the novel with the local charm of the Yorkshire moors and reflects the unique characteristics of its residents.
In this novel, the setting and class distinctions are somewhat ambiguous, making analysis challenging To address this, the researcher focuses on linguistic elements to classify the dialect used Utilizing categories proposed by Wakelin (1977), Joseph's speech can be categorized into three distinct types of words or sentences.
+ Phonological dialect is the dialect with difference in phonological feature of that word (add or omit letters in that word)
+ Grammatical dialect is the dialect with wrong grammar
+ Lexical dialect is the dialect with the same meaning as standard language but different appearance
This chapter provides an overview of literary translation, emphasizing its role in conveying accurate meaning and aesthetic effects in literary works It highlights the significance of dialect or non-standard English, particularly in 19th-century literature, where dialect serves to reflect cultural and regional differences among social classes and enhance character authenticity Consequently, dialect translation receives increased attention from translators, especially in novels.
The character Joseph's dialect in Wuthering Heights serves as a focal point for examining Duong Tuong's translation strategies from English to Vietnamese This analysis is grounded in five key strategies proposed by Leszek Berezowski: lexicalization, partial translation, speech defect, colloquialization, and rusticalization.
This chapter outlines the research methodology, detailing the research design, subject description, sampling steps, data collection process, and data analysis procedure.
This study employs a qualitative approach for data collection and analysis, emphasizing the exploration of qualities such as words and observations that are often complex and nuanced (Glesne, 2011).
Understanding the subject's perspective is crucial in qualitative research (Bogdan and Biklen, 2007) Stake (2010) emphasizes that all research involves interpretation, with qualitative studies relying on interpretive insights throughout the planning, data collection, analysis, and writing phases This approach highlights the importance of various materials such as texts, sounds, and images, which can be gathered and analyzed through multiple steps (Nelson et al., 1992) Consequently, conducting a successful qualitative study demands specific competencies from the researcher.
The qualitative approach is essential for researchers seeking a deep and accurate understanding of complex issues It emphasizes the importance of self-awareness among investigators, highlighting how personal perspectives can shape interactions and interpretations of the surrounding world (Chenail, 2010).
21 conclusion, the choice of qualitative research is appropriate which determines the choice of subject, sample selection method and data analysis procedure in the study
This study aims to explore the strategies used in translating dialects in the novel "Wuthering Heights" from English to Vietnamese To achieve this, the researcher employed document analysis as the primary data collection method, which involved a thorough examination of the original English text and its Vietnamese translations, along with personal documents and various written sources relevant to the analysis.
In this paper, purposive sampling was applied to identify the suitable features for the study Subsequently, all the conversations or speeches of Joseph in the novel Wuthering
Heights and their Vietnamese equivalents in the translation by Duong Tuong known as
“Đồi Gió Hú” published in 2013 by Nha Nam Publisher are observed and taken to investigate
In the sampling process, the researcher identified 32 speeches by Joseph throughout the novel However, this study will focus specifically on analyzing these speeches at the word level, examining individual words and compound dialect terms The dialect words will be identified based on accurate Standard English representations of Joseph's speech as presented on the website www.wuthering-heights.co.uk/josephs-speech.php.