Motivations scientifiques et problématique
Translation has been a crucial aspect of communication for centuries, playing a vital role in international relations, culture, politics, and economics With new literature on the subject emerging daily, its significance in language learning and teaching cannot be overstated In our rapidly evolving world, the ability to understand various fields in different languages highlights the essential contributions of translators and interpreters.
In our study of the French literature course in the third year, we had the opportunity to read and analyze Albert Camus' work, "L'Étranger." By carefully examining both the French and Vietnamese versions, we identified words and phrases that closely align with the original text, as well as some that are challenging to understand Recognizing the importance of applying interpretative translation theory in text analysis, we posed the question: How is this theory applied in translation?
Pour y répondre, nous avons décidé de faire des analyses de la traduction de l‘œuvre ô L’ẫtranger ằ de Thanh Thu (Maison d‘ộdition Hoi Nha Van) et de dộvelopper ce sujet
13 dans le mộmoire ô La traduction de ô L’ẫtranger ằ (Albert Camus) par Thanh Thu –
Une illustration de l’application de la TIT dans la traduction littộraire ằ.
Objectifs de la recherche
The aim of this work is to highlight the application of interpretative translation theory in the translated text of Thanh Thu's work "L'Étranger" (published by Hoi Nha Van) This study will undoubtedly assist translators and students in the French Department in understanding the role of translation theory, learning to translate literary texts effectively, and minimizing errors when translating from French to Vietnamese.
Objet de la recherche
- L‘œuvre ―L‘Étranger‖ de Albert Camus (1942)
- La traduction de cette œuvre en vietnamienne de la maison d‘édition ‗Hoi Nha Van‘ (6/2017)
Question et hypothèses de recherche
Dans la traduction littéraire, comment le traducteur peut-il appliquer bien la TIT ?
Comment se manifeste l’application de la TIT dans la traduction vietnamienne de l’œuvre ô ẫtranger ằ ? b Hypothèses
Translation is not merely a simple task of converting one language to another; it involves working with meaning, message, and context It is the act of re-expressing the source text into the target text.
Dans la traduction littéraire, le traducteur a bien appliqué la théorie de la traduction (les 3 étapes de traduction, les 3 niveaux de traduction, la fidélité dans la traduction)
La théorie interprétative de la traduction est une bonne méthode pour appliquer dans la traduction littéraire.
Méthodologie de recherche
Pour réaliser de notre recherche, nous avons eu recours à la méthode descriptive en partant de deux corpus diffộrents : un corpus en franỗais et un corpus en vietnamien
This method aids us in formulating better questions and identifying sound hypotheses It involves carefully reading both versions of the work to pinpoint sentences where the translator effectively applied the theory, as well as locating sentences that are challenging to understand.
First, we will identify the key words and phrases in both the original text and the translated version Next, we will analyze and compare these elements to justify the theoretical aspects and identify issues in the Vietnamese version Finally, we aim to provide solutions, if possible, to enhance the Vietnamese rendition of the work The methods employed will be explained in greater detail in the second chapter of this thesis.
CADRE THÉORIQUE
Qu‟est-ce que la traduction ?
Numerous researchers have explored the definition of translation, yet many theorists and practitioners agree that providing a fixed definition is challenging Consequently, what often emerges is a description that highlights the complexity of the translation process.
The term "translation," as defined by the Petit Robert dictionary, originates from the Latin verb "traducere," meaning "to carry across." Its most common interpretation is the act of converting text from one language to another while aiming for equivalence in meaning and value between the two statements This definition emphasizes the necessity for translators to thoroughly understand the original text Ultimately, achieving equivalence between the two statements appears to be the primary objective of translation, which can involve anything from a single word or phrase to an entire work.
The verb "to translate" first appeared in French in 1539, followed by the noun "translation" in 1540 It is important to note that the term "translation" not only describes the act of translating but also represents the final product.
As mentioned earlier, there is currently no fixed definition of translation, which accounts for the diverse opinions on the subject Experts have provided various definitions, and we will highlight a few widely accepted interpretations of translation from both general and professional perspectives.
1 Selon le dicionnaire Le Petit Robert version en ligne
1.1 La traduction au sens général
According to a definition cited by C.R Taber and E.A Nida, translation involves producing the message of the source language in the target language using the closest and most natural equivalent, first regarding meaning and then style This definition highlights the overwhelming importance of meaning, suggesting that form, style, and expression follow Taber and Nida emphasize the priority of conveying the original text's meaning in the translated text.
According to A.V Fôdorov, translation involves enabling someone who does not know a foreign language to understand the original text in that language It also means using one language to accurately express the content and form of another language.
According to Daniel Moskowitz, as presented in his speech to the Société française des traducteurs in May 1976, translation is an act that requires the translator to understand in order to convey meaning to the reader He emphasizes that the translator serves as a mediator between two worlds, cultures, and civilizations Thus, translation is viewed as a communication activity, with the translator acting as an intermediary in the exchange of knowledge between speakers of different languages.
J.R Ladmiral dộfinit la traduction comme ô une activitộ humaine universelle rendue nộcessaire à toutes les ộpoques et dans toutes les parties du Globe ằ 3 , sa finalitộ ộtant de dispenser de la lecture du texte original La traduction apparaợt ainsi comme une voie de communication, communication dont les gens ont besoin pour la vie quotidienne et pour les échanges interculturels Bref, un moyen d‘accès à une information en langue étrangère
1.2 La traduction au sens professionnel
Edmond Cary offers a relevant definition of translation as an operation aimed at establishing equivalences between two texts expressed in different languages These equivalences are inherently influenced by the nature of the texts, their intended purpose, and the cultural relationships between the two languages.
2 C.R Taber et E.A Nida, La traduction : théorie et méthode, Londres, 1971, p.11
3 J.R Ladmiral, Traduire: théorèmes pour la traduction, Paris, 1979, p.28
17 peuples, leur climat moral, intellectuel, affectif, fonction de toutes les contingences propres à l’ộpoque et au lieu de dộpart et d’arrivộe ằ 4
In "Translation Today," M Lederer defines interpretative translation as a process that transfers conceptual and emotional content from one language to another This process is carried out by a bilingual translator who fully identifies with the original author and is aware of the potential reactions of the target audience to the translated text.
Enfin, dans le livre ô Interprộter pour traduire ằ de Danica Saleskovitch et M
According to Lederer, translation is not merely about converting signs from one language to another; it requires first determining the relevant meaning of these signs to find their equivalent in the target language Only after resolving the polysemy of words and the ambiguity of phrases can a translator begin crafting the target text, ensuring that linguistic signs come together to convey a coherent message.
Ultimately, reformulating information from one code to another facilitates the transmission of the message contained in the source text from one language to another This process can only occur once the meaning of the signs and phrases has been deciphered, allowing the translator to assemble the elements of the target text into a coherent message.
La théorie interprétative de la traduction (la TIT)
2.1 Les trois niveaux de la traduction
The text can be broken down into smaller elements such as words, phrases, paragraphs, or entire texts Each of these elements corresponds to different levels of translation, each with its own distinct characteristics and translation processes We will analyze examples to illustrate these various levels and their impact on translation.
You had too many tears
4 Edmond Cary, Apud Sprová, Moscou, 1995, p.158
5 M Lederer, La traduction aujourd‘hui, Paris, 1994, p.17
6 Danica Saleskovitch et M Lederer, Interpréter pour traduire, Paris, 2001, p.15
In terms of lexical semantics, which pertains to the use of language outside of context, it is evident that the Vietnamese equivalents for each word in this sentence can be easily found in bilingual dictionaries According to the definitions provided by the Larousse Dictionary in its online version, this sentence yields the following correspondences.
Had = avoir, se composer, comprendre, …
Many = beaucoup de, de nombreux, la majorité, …
The search for parallel elements in bilingual dictionaries often overlooks the surrounding words and the broader context of communication.
Translating phrases accurately can be challenging when words are taken out of context, highlighting the undeniable importance of context in translation For instance, the word "tears" in the given example can refer to either tears, wounds, or rips Removing context from the translation may lead to inaccuracies in the final phrase When translating this phrase into French, there are at least three potential interpretations.
We now reach the second level, which involves the implementation of a language For example, the English phrase "You had too many tears" can be translated in various ways: "Tu as trop de larmes," "Tu as trop de blessures," or "Tu as trop de déchirures." Each translation conveys a completely different meaning, highlighting the complexity of language interpretation.
The third level of text encompasses the first two levels, where the semantics of speech is enriched by the translator's general and contextual knowledge For instance, in English, the word "tears" cannot be used after the verb "have," making the phrase "You have too many tears" incorrect Additionally, the sentence "You have too many rips" lacks meaning; instead, it should be phrased as "Your shirt has too many rips." Therefore, the only viable option is to say, "You have too many wounds."
2.2 Le processus de la traduction
One of the strengths of Interpretive Theory is its establishment of a three-step process for translation in a broad sense: first, understanding the original text (Understanding), second, de-verbalizing its linguistic form (De-verbalization), and third, expressing the understood ideas and emotions in another language (Re-expression).
We now enter the first phase of the translation process: understanding While understanding is not unique to translation, as it is essential to all forms of communication, we will discuss this phase, which is crucial for the success of the translation endeavor.
Nous voudrions commencer par rộpondre à la question ô Qu'est-ce que la comprộhension ằ Nous allons analyser la dộfinition donnộe par le dictionnaire Le Petit
Robert (version en ligne) On peut observer :
Understanding involves grasping the meaning of something, such as a concept or an explanation It encompasses the ability to comprehend lessons and information fully For instance, one may struggle with understanding a language, like Italian, where comprehension may be present, but speaking skills may lag behind Additionally, understanding also extends to interpreting what someone says or writes.
Se faire une idée claire des causes, des motifs de (qqch.) ➙ saisir, sentir —
Comprendre que (+ SUBJONCTIF) Je ne comprends pas qu’il puisse s’ennuyer
Realizing something means to perceive or understand it, as illustrated by the phrase "Ah! I understand!" This reflects the moment of grasping the seriousness of a situation Understanding involves recognizing reasons and methods, as well as acknowledging differing opinions, such as "I understand that you disagree." A concise definition often leaves us unclear about how to align a clear idea with its meaning According to the author of "Translation Today," understanding a text requires both linguistic competence and encyclopedic knowledge The proponents of interpretive translation theory emphasize the significance of this encyclopedic knowledge in the comprehension process, especially from the perspective of a translation learner.
20 proposons d'associer la définition de la compréhension à celle donnée par le professeur
In her book "Translation Today," Marianne Lederer states that every text represents a balance between explicit information that is concise enough to avoid redundancy and implicit meaning that is clear enough to prevent reader confusion This highlights the necessity of both explicit and implicit elements in discourse and language for constructing meaning Furthermore, it emphasizes that when a translator works with two languages that convey the same idea differently, they are expected to extract the meaning and express it in the second language using its specific linguistic features.
The translation of implicit meanings into explicit ones is essential, as its absence hinders the emergence of a utopia uniting like-minded individuals and the forces they represent in a common struggle It is crucial to persist until the true stakes are brought to light For translators, it is challenging to clarify concise dialogues and brief phrases, whose connotations may not always be clear to readers from France, Vietnam, or around the world.
In both language and discourse, the explicit content is significantly smaller than the implicit meaning it conveys, which is crucial for constructing meaning This principle demonstrates that translation cannot solely rely on linguistic elements; instead, it must focus on conveying the underlying sense The phenomenon of synecdoche requires translators to possess relevant knowledge to grasp the author's intended meaning, as languages only express a tiny fraction of the ideas being referenced.
Similar to language, most statements only convey part of an idea to communicate the whole concept These statements rely on the shared knowledge among speakers, allowing a speaker to adjust their discourse based on this common understanding For instance, when a doctor participates in a medical meeting with experts, they may employ a range of medical and health terminologies, reflecting a certain level of expertise.
Higher technicality often relies on shared knowledge that remains implicit When communicating with a patient or someone unfamiliar with the field, professionals must simplify their language to ensure understanding Similarly, when a teacher informs students about a class scheduled for Monday morning in Room X, the message is based on shared knowledge, as the students are aware of their regular classes Thus, the message conveys, "We will meet on Monday morning in Room X." In essence, when knowledge is shared, not everything needs to be explicitly stated; the explicit communication never reveals everything, as there is always an implicit layer in discourse.
La traduction littéraire
Translating a work involves seeking equivalence within differences that exist at various levels, including cultural and linguistic While fundamental ideas may have a relatively similar equivalence based on universal thought, semantic translation must adhere to the specific rules of each language, limiting the possibilities for direct correspondence Therefore, it is essential to pursue dynamic equivalence, which encompasses not only formal aspects but also semantic and pragmatic dimensions Aesthetic translation, characterized by subjectivity, emotional impact, and creativity, often results in varying degrees of equivalence among translators, highlighting the creative role that translators play in conveying aesthetic values and effects.
At the beginning of the 19th century, Vietnam systematically began to present and translate French literary works Now, in the 21st century, there are numerous methods available for literary translation.
In principle, a translator should maintain an objective stance and minimize personal influence, striving to understand and convey the author's intent to the target language readers However, it is essential to acknowledge that a translator's style is unavoidable; a text devoid of style lacks depth and engagement.
A literary text is defined by the personal style of the author, and without it, the text loses its literary quality For translators, it is ideal to select an author whose style closely aligns with their own Consequently, in nearly every country, there are translators who specialize in translating specific authors.
Can the Theory of Intertextuality (TIT) be applied to literary translation? What impact does this application have? In the second chapter, we will explore an illustration of this application in a Vietnamese translation.
ANALYSE DU CORPUS
Présentation du corpus
"The Stranger," published in 1942, is Albert Camus's first novel and has been translated into sixty-eight languages, making it the third most-read Francophone novel worldwide The story follows Meursault, a narrator living in Algiers, beginning with the day of his mother's death He receives a telegram from the nursing home in Marengo, where she had resided for three years The subsequent sections depict his life following her passing, during which he faces criticism for his perceived emotional indifference The novel concludes with Meursault finding peace as he is enveloped by the summer night.
Our corpus consists of the first six chapters of Albert Camus' novel "L'Étranger" and its Vietnamese translation "Người xa lạ" by Thanh Thu, published in 2017 by Hoi Nha Van Publishing House.
In literary translation, translators employ various methods to convey the author's message to the reader, which can sometimes create a gap between the original text and its translation This chapter identifies the techniques used by translator Thanh Thu in her Vietnamese rendition of "L'Étranger" and analyzes excerpts from her work to highlight the discrepancies between the two texts Thanh Thu's translation has been well-received by many readers, and through this Vietnamese version, we aim to demonstrate that her translation exemplifies the application of Translation In Theory (TIT) in literary works Additionally, we will examine certain unintelligible words in this translation to draw valuable insights.
Analyse du corpus
2.1 Traduction par emprunt des locutions vietnamiens
Every language in the world has its unique characteristics, making the translation of everyday words and phrases challenging This difficulty intensifies when translating sentences from literary works To accurately convey the author's message while aligning with the linguistic habits of the target audience, translator Thanh Thu has incorporated several Vietnamese expressions These words and phrases are widely used and help maintain the essence of the original text.
Vietnamiens La présence de ces expressions rendra le texte traduit profondément accessible aux lecteurs vietnamiens
A phrase is a group of words that forms a lexical unit with a cohesive meaning, functioning effectively in communication It embodies all the characteristics expressed during communication Phrases are frequently utilized in spoken language in Vietnam.
Le texte original Le texte traduit
It was extremely hot, akin to the Vietnamese expression "nóng như đổ lửa," which translates to "very hot." This phrase is commonly used in Vietnam to express discomfort with the intense summer heat Its usage reflects the linguistic habits of Vietnamese speakers, highlighting their cultural way of describing high temperatures.
J'ai fait le chemin à pied Tôi cuốc bộ
The term "cuốc bộ" refers to walking with difficulty This phrase is used in the context of the main character, Meursault, who must walk two kilometers under the intense sun to see his mother one last time As a result, Thanh Thu chose to translate it as "Tôi cuốc bộ" instead of the more straightforward "Tôi đi bộ."
Et tout compte fait, elle était plus heureuse ici
Và tóm lại thì ở đây, bà ấy đã hạnh phúc hơn hẳn
En principe, l'enterrement est fixé à dix heures du matin
Về cơ bản thì lễ mai tang được ấn định vào mười giờ sáng
“Tóm lại” en vietnamien est une expression pour expliquer une chose en bref et donner une conclusion
“Về cơ bản” exprime une idée assez générale et même quelque peu incertaine Cette locution montre probablement l‘indifférence des locuteurs
Dans ce cas, l‘utilisation de cette expression est une option excellente pour illustrer
29 l‘attitude de Meursault Il est indifférent à tout
Comme il se sentait valide, il s'était proposé pour cette place de concierge
Vì hẵng còn khỏe mạnh nên ông ta xin làm chân giữ cổng
Dans cette phrase vietnamienne, le mot “hẵng” peut être abandonné mais l‘emploi de ce mot augmente le pouvoir expressif de la phrase franỗaise
J'étais fatigué Tôi mệt rã rời
The French phrase can be translated as "We are tired" or "We are very tired," but the translator suggested an alternative: "I am utterly exhausted." The term "utterly exhausted" conveys a state of extreme fatigue, implying that the body feels as if its parts are wanting to separate from one another, rendering movement nearly impossible.
Aujourd'hui j‘ai beaucoup travaillé au bureau Hôm nay tôi làm việc tối mắt tối mũi
J‘ai bien travaillé toute la semaine Tôi miệt mài làm việc cả tuần
The phrase “làm việc tối mắt tối mũi” is commonly used in Vietnamese to describe someone who works tirelessly The translator opted for this distinctly Vietnamese expression instead of a simpler phrase like “I work a lot” to enhance the expressive quality of the translated text.
The phrase "I worked hard all week" can be translated to "Tôi đã làm việc rất nhiều trong tuần." However, the translator opted for a clever alternative: "Tôi miệt mài làm việc cả tuần," which conveys the idea of relentless work This choice enhances the expressive quality of the Vietnamese sentence.
Céleste dit toujours que “c‟est malheureux”… Céleste cứ luôn nói: “Đến khổ”…
Lui aussi m‘a dit, en parlant de Salamano:
Nhắc đến Salamano, hắn cũng nói với tôi:
The phrases "Đến khổ" and "Đến là khổ" perfectly capture the author's intent and reflect the linguistic habits of Vietnamese people in everyday conversations.
J‘ai bien travaillé toute la semaine Tôi miệt mài làm việc cả tuần
The Vietnamese term "miệt mài" describes a person deeply focused and engrossed in their work It can be translated into French as "Tụi đó làm việc rất nhiều cả tuần," meaning "They work a lot throughout the week." This term is commonly used in Vietnamese communication and is also suitable for literary translation, reflecting the cultural significance of dedication and hard work.
Vous comprenez, monsieur Meursault, c‘est pas que je suis méchant, mais je suis vif
Meursault, anh biết đấy, không phải vì tôi ác ôn gì, chẳng qua tôi nóng tính
In Vietnamese, the phrase "chẳng qua" expresses causation or reasoning, often used in contexts of arbitration and judgment It can be translated into French as "Meursault, you know, it's not because I'm malicious, but simply because I have a quick temper." At that moment, the agent delivered a heavy slap to his face, and just then, the police officer struck him with a sudden blow.
Pour traduire cette phrase, le traducteur a emprunté un terme en vietnamien En effet,
The phrase "tát một phát nảy đom đóm" refers to a slap so powerful that it could cause the recipient to lose consciousness This term highlights the translator's sophistication and deep understanding of the language.
… elle m‘a pris le bras en souriant… … nàng bèn ôm lấy cánh tay tôi cười…
“Bèn” est un mot familier qui se situe devant une action pour montrer un comportement immédiat après un certain état ou événement, afin de satisfaire quelque chose
In conclusion, the translator employed various techniques during the translation process, including the borrowing of Vietnamese phrases This borrowing does not solely rely on the source text; at times, the translator selected phrases as equivalents to French expressions, while at other times, they opted for phrases from a group of words or even individual words.
2.2 Traduction par emprunt des mots d‟origine franỗaise
During cultural and linguistic exchanges, Vietnamese speakers have adopted numerous French words to express concepts often lacking in Vietnamese In the Vietnamese edition of Albert Camus's novel "The Stranger," published by Hoi Nha Van Publishing House, several original French terms are included to clarify the author's message These words are commonly used in the daily lives of Vietnamese people.
Le texte original Le texte traduit
I asked her if she wanted to go to the movies tonight At that moment, a truck arrived with a loud crash of chains and explosions.
Vừa khi ấy, một chiếc cam nhông ầm ầm lao tới
… elle avait une belle robe à raies rouges et blanches et des sandales de cuir
… nàng mặc một chiếc váy kẻ màu đỏ trắng rất đẹp và đi săng đan da …
Cela faisait alors une dentelle mousseuse qui disparaissait dans l'air ou me retombait en pluie tiède sur le visage
Bọt nước giống như một dải đăng ten biến mất trong không khí hoặc thành mưa ấm rơi xuống mặt tôi
She opened her bag, took out a small square of paper and a pencil, calculated the total in advance, and then pulled out the exact amount, including the tip, which she placed in front of her.