Justification du choix du sujet de recherche
Translation has existed as long as languages have, playing a crucial role in language education, cultural exchange, and international relations As Edmond Cary emphasizes, translation is essential in our dynamic world and is integral to human activities In an era of globalization, the demand for translation services continues to rise alongside increasing international exchanges Translators and interpreters serve as vital bridges between cultures, acting as guardians and promoters of global cultures, as noted by the President of Paris III University.
Translation plays a crucial role globally, influencing various fields of knowledge, including the development of national languages and literatures The literature of a nation is often viewed as the essence of its people, reflecting their culture and identity.
1 Edmond Cary, ô La traduction dans le monde moderne ằ, dans CD-ROM ô L’histoire de la traduction ằ conỗu et rộalisộ par Jean Delisle et Gilbert Lafond, Universitộ d'Ottawa, 2002, p.184
Literature plays a crucial role in self-discovery and understanding one's place in the world, highlighting the significance of translated works As noted by Ernest Renan, a work that is not translated is only half-published Undoubtedly, literary translation remains the genre that accounts for the highest number of translations globally.
Today in Vietnam, the demand for access to foreign literature among Vietnamese readers and the need to present Vietnamese literature to an international audience are equally significant This creates a substantial need for translation work, as literary translation is becoming increasingly important in Vietnamese society The number of translated literary works is on the rise; however, many Vietnamese readers express concerns about the poor quality of these translations It is also recognized that a bad translation can impoverish the target language rather than enrich it.
The poor quality of translation can be attributed to various factors In literary translation, translators often employ different techniques to convey the author's message effectively However, this can sometimes lead to discrepancies between the original text and the translated version This raises an important question: how can one differentiate between fidelity and creativity in translation?
To address this, we conducted an analysis of the translation of the novel "Le Petit Prince" by Bùi Giáng, and we will further explore this topic in my thesis titled "Creativity in the Translation of Bùi Giáng's Novel Le Petit Prince."
Objectifs de la recherche
This research is motivated by several factors Firstly, during my four years at the Department of French Language and Civilization at the University of Languages and International Studies – Vietnam National University, Hanoi, I observed that translation students struggle with translating texts Therefore, I aim to conduct this study to assist French learners in improving the quality of their translations Additionally, I seek to evaluate whether the Interpretive Theory of Translation is an effective method that can be applied, particularly in literary translation Finally, conducting this study allows me to indulge my passion for the French language.
2 Edmond Cary, ô La traduction dans le monde moderne ằ, dans CD-ROM ô L’histoire de la traduction ằ conỗu et rộalisộ par Jean Delisle et Gilbert Lafond, Universitộ d'Ottawa, 2002, p.37
3 recherche serait pour moi un véritable tremplin me permettant de débuter ma carrière professionnelle.
Questions et hypothèses de recherche
Dans le cadre de mémoire de fin d’études universitaires, nous essayons de trouver les réponses à ces questions suivantes :
Qu’est-ce que traduire ?
Dans la traduction littéraire, comment se manifeste la créativité du traducteur ?
Est-ce que la Théorie interprétative de la traduction est une bonne méthode susceptible d’être appliqué dans la traduction, littéraire ?
Ces questions nous permettent de formuler les hypothèses suivantes :
Translation is not merely a process of converting the original text into the target language; it involves a deeper engagement with the meaning and message conveyed.
Dans la traduction littéraire, le traducteur a utilisé bien des procédés différents pour montrer sa créativité
La Théorie interprétative de la traduction est une bonne méthode susceptible d’être appliqué dans la traduction, littéraire.
Méthodologie de recherche
In this research, we will employ a quantitative method, which enables us to formulate effective questions and identify sound hypotheses Throughout the study, particularly during data collection and analysis, various approaches will be utilized, including descriptive, synthetic, and analytical methods.
First, we will identify the words, phrases, and paragraphs in both the original text and its translation Next, we will analyze and compare them to uncover the techniques employed by the translator and their creativity in translating "The Little Prince." We will provide a detailed explanation of the methods used in the second chapter of this thesis.
Our study focuses on a corpus derived from the translation of Saint-Exupéry's novel "Le Petit Prince," titled "Hoàng tử bé," published in 2005 by Văn Nghệ Publishing House We selected this novel for several reasons.
En premier lieu, le traducteur Bùi Giáng est un poète très talentueux qui est réputé pour sa créativité dans la traduction
Secondly, the novel captivates a wide readership worldwide through its humanism, romanticism, and the simple yet clear style of Saint-Exupéry.
This book is a true masterpiece that profoundly touched my emotions Each passage carries significant meaning, and what’s surprising is that every reader interprets it in their own way The novel imparts beautiful moral lessons, with one of my favorite quotes being, "One sees clearly only with the heart; what is essential is invisible to the eye."
Sans compter l’introduction et la conclusion qui sont considérées comme deux parties à part, ce mémoire est divisé en 2 chapitres comme suit :
Dans le premier chapitre, seront présentées les généralités des contenus envisagés :
- Définition de la traduction et son évolution historique
Interpretative translation encompasses various conceptual frameworks from ESIT 3, highlighting the three levels of translation, the translation process, and the notions of equivalence and correspondence Additionally, it emphasizes the criteria for evaluating translations, ensuring that the final output maintains fidelity to the original text while adapting to the target language's nuances.
- Traduction littéraire : la littérature et la traduction littéraire
Le deuxième chapitre sera réservé à l’analyse du corpus suivant les méthodes de la traduction interprétative de l’ESIT :
- Traduction par emprunt des locutions vietnamiennes et sino-vietnamiennes
Cette analyse nous permettra de relever des points appréciables dans la traduction de Bùi Giáng
En outre, dans ce chapitre, nous proposons des points restreints de sa traduction
3 L’Ecole Supérieure d’Interprètes et de Traducteurs, Université Paris III, Centre Universitaire Dauphine, 75116 Paris
The first chapter aims to clarify theoretical issues that are crucial for the collection and analysis of the corpus presented below While we do not intend to provide an exhaustive overview of theoretical elements, we will categorize them from the most basic to the more complex This chapter is divided into three parts: the first discusses definitions of translation, covering both general and professional meanings along with its historical evolution; the second part focuses on interpretative translation; and the final section addresses literature and key issues in literary translation.
1.1.1 Qu’est-ce que la traduction ?
Many theorists and practitioners in the field of translation agree that providing a relevant definition of translation is challenging Consequently, what often emerges is more of a description, highlighting the complexity of this process.
The term "translation," as defined by Le Petit Robert, originates from the Latin verb "traducere," meaning "to carry across," and dates back to 1520 It refers to the process of conveying meaning from one natural language to another, aiming for semantic and expressive equivalence between the two statements Le Petit Robert emphasizes the translator's obligation to achieve this equivalence, indicating that the act of translation is definitive and involves both meaning and form Consequently, the scope of translation can range from a simple word or phrase to an entire literary work.
In languages like English and German, the etymology of the word "translate" relates to the concept of movement This primary meaning can be observed in historical texts such as Wyclif's Bible and Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, where it also conveys a sense of change in state The verb "translate" first emerged in these contexts, highlighting its foundational significance in the evolution of language.
4 Citộe dans le Petit Robert de la langue franỗaise, 2008, Paris, p.2592
In 1539, the term "traduction" was introduced in French, with its official usage established in 1540 It is important to note that the nominal expression is specifically reserved for its most common meaning, which can refer to either the act of translation or the final translated product.
As mentioned earlier, there is currently no uniform definition of translation, highlighting the diverse perspectives on the topic Translation scholars have proposed various definitions, which can be categorized into general and professional meanings.
Définitions de la traduction au sens général
According to J Dubois in the "New Grammar of French," translation involves expressing in a target language what has been stated in the source language while maintaining semantic and stylistic equivalences.
E.A Nida proposed a definition of translation that emphasizes producing the closest natural equivalent in the target language to the source message, focusing first on meaning and then on style.
Nida emphasizes the importance of meaning, prioritizing it over form, style, and expression As a practitioner, he focuses on conveying the sense of the source text within the target text.