INTRODUCTION
Statement of problem and rationale
In recent decades, globalization has significantly transformed cultural dynamics, with translation playing a crucial role in connecting diverse cultures Vietnam has actively participated in this trend, boasting a substantial number of publications each year According to the Ministry of Information and Communication, the country published approximately 25,000 books and 274 million copies in 2013 While the volume of new releases has remained relatively stable, revenue has seen a steady increase, rising from 1,488.9 billion VND in 2008 to 2,949.5 billion VND in 2013 Notably, translated works, particularly in literature, account for a significant 23% of the market share, highlighting the growing importance of literary translation as a strategic focus for publishers and a point of interest for both translators and readers This burgeoning field has spurred a wealth of research on literary translation in Vietnam.
Since 2008, over 14 theses on literary translation have been completed by students at the University of Languages and International Studies, Vietnam National University (ULIS, VNU), with this number steadily increasing in subsequent years Research has explored various aspects of book translation, including strategies, techniques, and the translation of slang, metaphors, and equivalence effects However, there remains a significant lack of research on the translation of book titles in Vietnam, particularly in the context of novel title translation.
According to Briffa and Caruana (2009), literary translation serves as a cultural journey, with the translated title acting as a vital bridge connecting two distinct cultures Beyond its role as a bridge, the title holds significant importance in the translation process.
Two key factors influence readers' interest in books, with Shevlin (1999) highlighting the crucial role of titles as both a façade and a commercial tool Titles serve as the first point of contact for potential buyers, significantly impacting their decision to purchase a novel This raises an important question for translators: how can they create attractive titles that remain true to the original work? To explore this, the author aims to analyze the strategies used in the English-Vietnamese translation of novel titles by Tre Publishing House and the Women’s Publishing House, shedding light on how professional translators approach this critical aspect of translation.
Aims and objectives
This research aims to analyze the translation methods used for literary book titles at Tre Publishing House (TPH) and the Women’s Publishing House (WPH) It seeks to provide valuable insights for translation and interpreting students regarding the translation of novel titles To achieve this, the study is guided by two key research questions.
1 What are the most popular translation procedures employed to translate literary book titles published by Tre Publishing House and the Women’s Publishing House from 2011-2014?
2 What implications can be suggested to students majoring in translation and interpreting when translating novel titles?
Significance of the study
This research serves as a valuable resource for students and translators in the translation and publication industry, particularly those focused on novel titles Additionally, it supports researchers interested in literary translation, specialized translation, or comparative studies in the field.
The paper is first expected to contribute to translation theory and its application into practice Additionally, it helps readers in general and translation
Translation and interpreting students gain a deeper understanding of translating English novel titles into Vietnamese through the theoretical framework and recommendations provided in this study The research highlights commonly used translation procedures, helping novice translators avoid ineffective methods Additionally, the findings suggest techniques that can enhance the skills of translation and interpreting students Ultimately, the insights offered aim to inspire further exploration of this subject.
Scope of the study
This study examines the translation strategies used for novel titles by two prominent Vietnamese publishing houses, Tre Publishing House and the Women’s Publishing House Titled “Strategies Applied in English-Vietnamese Translation of Novel Titles,” the research specifically focuses on the techniques employed in translating these titles, rather than exploring broader themes within translation theory.
The study focuses exclusively on novel titles published by TPH and WPH between 2011 and 2014 While the researcher recognizes that a comprehensive analysis of all titles from these publishers would enhance credibility, limitations in timeframe and expertise render this goal unfeasible Consequently, the research is confined to the titles released during this specific period due to data availability.
The TPH data is sourced from the official websites of the publishers, while the WPH data is a combination of information from its website and additional details provided by the publisher.
Organization of the study
The thesis consists of five chapters:
Chapter 1(Introduction): This part includes rationale, aims of the study, scope of the study, significance and organization of the study
Chapter 2 (Literature Review): This chapter provides the theoretical ground of the study, including definition of translation and novels, classification of novel titles and translation strategies as well as discussion of studies related to novel title translation
Chapter 3 (Methodology): The chapter describes the participants, the instruments and the procedures used to gather and study data
Chapter 4 (Results and discussions): Chapter 4 shows all results achieved from data collection and analysis The answer to research question will be indicated in this chapter
Chapter 5 (Conclusion and recommendations): This chapter summarizes main conclusions of the study and gives some suggestions for the following research concentrating on this field of study Following this chapter are the References and Appendices
LITERATURE REVIEW
An overview of novel titles
Although the word “novel” appears to be recognizable and simple to people, it is still of great necessity to give the fitting and clear term lest any ambiguity
According to the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary, a novel is defined as "a story long enough to fill a complete book, in which the characters and events are usually imaginary." This definition highlights two key characteristics of a novel: its substantial length and its fictional narrative, which includes imaginary characters and events.
The classification of literature is a complex matter, particularly in the context of novels, which were initially seen as having a "realistic focus." This focus primarily highlights the experiences and lives of the majority of people, showcasing the diversity of human experiences.
2001) The works that have “marvelous and uncommon incidents” are called
Romance, often referred to as chivalric romance, differs from what we know today as novels Modern novels blend elements of both historical novels and romance, evolving into a diverse literary form that encompasses various fictional styles.
This research focuses on the translation strategies of novel titles, aligning with the comprehensive definition provided by Oxford University Press In this context, the term "novel" refers to a lengthy narrative prose work featuring characters and events that are created by the authors.
Briffa and Caruana (2009, p.2) emphasize the significance of book titles, asserting that they are essential for a text's identity Without a title, a text cannot be fully recognized as a distinct entity They identify two primary functions of literary titles: reader-oriented and content-oriented The reader-oriented function suggests that titles prepare readers for the content ahead and capture their attention.
The reader's attention and concentration are crucial, as they enable the content-oriented function of the theme, subject, form, character, and symbol in a work These two functions are interconnected; the reader-oriented function can only be effectively achieved when the content-oriented function is successfully executed.
Newmark (1988) identifies three essential functions for titles, applicable to novel titles, and aligns with the two functions suggested by Briffa and Caruana He refers to one of these functions as the "informative function," which shares similarities with their proposals.
The roles of titles in literature extend beyond their traditional functions, encompassing not only the "content-oriented" and "vocative" functions but also a significant "reader-oriented" function Additionally, an important aspect highlighted by Newmark (1988, as cited in Salehi and Fumani) is the "aesthetic function" of titles, which enhances their overall impact and appeal.
2013, p.197) Three roles of titles are presented thoroughly below:
According to Newmark (1988), the primary role of language is to convey information about external realities Simplifying this, Salehi and Fumani (2013) highlight that a title serves to summarize the narrative, indicate its theme, and provide insight, thereby guiding readers' interpretation and understanding This essential function positions titles as a vital component of the text.
Death on the Nile (by Agatha Christie, 1937) gives readers an impression of what the novel may tell: a detective fiction about some murder happening on the River Nile
The term "vocative," as defined by Newmark, refers to the ability of a text to prompt readers to act, think, or feel in a specific way (1988, p.41) Salehi and Fumani (2013, p.199) apply this theory to novel titles, arguing that compelling titles spark readers' interest and enhance their appreciation of the book This function plays a crucial role in the commercialization of literary works, as titles are the initial element that captures readers' attention Thus, well-crafted titles are essential for engaging potential readers.
7 titles promise to bring a best-seller On top of 100 best-selling books of 2012 stand the arousing titles like Fifty Shades of Grey (by E L James), The Hunger Games
(by Suzanne Collins) or Casual Vacancy (by J K Rowling) (The Guardian, 2012)
It has been argued that title should “please the senses” of readers (Newmark,
Authors often employ rhetorical devices such as sound effects and metaphors to enhance their titles, making them more engaging for readers For instance, Cathy Hopkins' books, including "Mates, Dates and Mad Mistakes" (2003) and "Mates, Dates and Great Escapes" (2004), utilize the diphthong /eɪ/ in key words like "mate," "date," "mistake," "great," and "escape." Similarly, Kathryn Lamb's "Vices and Virtues" (2005) creates a sound effect through the repetition of the consonant /v/ While these techniques can make titles more captivating, they also present challenges in translation, as translators often have to prioritize one sound effect over another, leading to potential loss of meaning (Newmark, 1988, p.42).
There exist many systems of title classification on the basis of function, characteristic or language structure As presented in the first part, novel titles can be
The classification of writing into "reader-oriented" and "content-oriented" functions, as discussed by Briffa and Caruana (2009), highlights the dual purpose of engaging readers and interpreting content However, this overlapping categorization can create confusion, as the two functions are interrelated and may complicate research that relies on this classification system.
One view suggested by Newmark on title sorting is that titles comprise of
Descriptive titles directly convey the topic of a work, providing an overview or overarching idea, while allusive titles offer indirect references through figurative information (Duong, 2006, p.12) For instance, the novel "Nanny Returns" by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus (2009) exemplifies a descriptive title, as it clearly indicates the story's focus on a nanny and their return.
The title of a work can evoke various interpretations, prompting readers to consider both the content and the broader context surrounding it Allusive titles, in particular, encourage a deeper exploration of the connections that authors intentionally create between their work and external references.
2011) The best-seller New Moon (by Stephenie Meyer, 2006) is a vivid example
In "New Moon," the second novel of The Twilight series, Bella Swan grapples with profound sadness following Edward Cullen's departure, marking a pivotal moment in her life Author Stephenie Meyer (2006) uses the title to symbolize the darkest phase of the lunar cycle, representing the bleak period Bella endures after losing her true love This thematic categorization enhances the narrative's clarity, though the limitations of time research hinder a deeper exploration of the underlying meanings present in numerous titles.
Novel title translation
To provide a firm theoretical ground for the study, the definition should be elucidated first
Translation has evolved in its definition over time According to Larson (1984), translation involves conveying the meaning of the source language (SL) into the target language (TL), emphasizing that while the form may change, the meaning must remain intact However, Newmark presents a differing perspective, suggesting that simply preserving the meaning of the source text (ST) is not sufficient.
Translation involves converting written content into a different language while maintaining the original intent of the author, as emphasized by Newmark, who expands this concept to include all elements that reflect the author's purpose in the text (1988, p.5).
According to Bell (1991, p.5), successful translation hinges on maintaining both semantic and stylistic equivalences, which means accurately expressing the content of the source language in the target language This approach ensures that the meaning and style are preserved, facilitating effective communication across languages.
Translation involves finding the closest equivalence in meaning by utilizing appropriate lexical and grammatical structures, context, and cultural nuances that reflect the original text In this study, translation is defined as the process of accurately transferring a text into another language while preserving its meaning and style.
Titles can take the form of single words, phrases, or clauses, necessitating different strategies for each type Translation methods address the entire text, while smaller units are managed through specific translation procedures (Newmark, 1988, p.81) In this context, the translation strategies discussed in this paper align with these methods and procedures.
Eight translation methods of Newmark are stated below:
Word-for-word translation maintains the original word order of the source language (SL) and translates words using their most common meanings, disregarding context and other relevant factors (Newmark, 1988, p.45).
E.g ST: This Book Will Save Your Life (by A M Homes, 2007)
TT: Này quyển sách sẽ cứu của bạn cuộc đời
Texts that apply literal translation undergo changes in word-order to gain
“nearest TL equivalents” of grammatical construction; however, the words are still translated singly and out of context (Newmark, 1988, p.46)
E.g ST: PetroVietnam, the state-owned oil and gas giant, has also found itself in hot water
TT: Petro Vietnam, người khổng lồ về ga và dầu khí có vốn nhà nước, cũng đã tìm thấy chính mình trong nước sôi
Faithful translation ensures that the target text (TT) conveys precise contextual meaning while adhering to the target language (TL) It maintains cultural terms and unique grammatical structures, striving to remain true to the intentions and textual realization of the source language (SL) writer, as emphasized by Newmark (1988, p.46).
E.g ST: The class is often as silent as mice when teacher Nhung asks a question
TT: Cả lớp thường im như chuột khi cô giáo Nhung đưa ra một câu hỏi
Semantic translation focuses on maintaining the aesthetic qualities of the source text, such as metaphors and similes, even if it means sacrificing some meaning This approach is considered more flexible compared to faithful translation (Newmark, 1988, p.46) An example of this method will be provided to illustrate its application.
E.g ST: Right in the heart of Hanoi, Hoan Kiem Lake is an enchanting body of water, a peaceful oasis away from all the hustle and bustle of the city
Hồ Hoàn Kiếm, tọa lạc tại trung tâm Hà Nội, là một hồ nước tuyệt đẹp và thanh bình, mang đến không gian tĩnh lặng giữa nhịp sống hối hả của thành phố.
In translation, the emphasis shifts from elaborate language to readability and naturalness, prioritizing the clarity and effectiveness of the communicated message As a result, readers are anticipated to easily understand both the content and language of the translated text (Tien and Bac, 2008, p.27).
E.g ST: Right in the heart of Hanoi, Hoan Kiem Lake is an enchanting body of water, a peaceful oasis away from all the hustle and bustle of the city
TT: Hồ Hoàn Kiếm là một hồ nước đẹp, yên tĩnh nằm ở trung tâm Hà Nội ồn ào
Idiomatic translation “reproduces the message” of the original in a lively and natural way by adopting “colloquialisms and idioms” which do not appear in the ST (Newmark, 1988, p.47)
E.g ST: Nó rất bướng bỉnh
TT: He is as stubborn as a mule
Free translation reproduces “the matter without the manner” and “the content without the form of the original” As a result, the translation is more like a longer
“paraphrase” than the ST (Le and Nguyen, 2008, p.32)
E.g ST: Tide in, dirt out
TT: Tide, thách thức mọi vết bẩn
Newmark describes adaptation as the most flexible form of translation, where texts are almost entirely rewritten while maintaining the original themes, characters, and plots This method is primarily used for translating songs, poems, plays, advertisements, and tourism materials.
The translation procedures are differentiated between different scholars Nida
In 1964, a classification of translation procedures identified four types: changes of order, omission, structure, and addition Vinay and Darbelnet (1995) expanded this categorization to seven procedures, which include loan, calque, literal translation, transposition, modulation, total syntagmatic change, and adaptation However, Newmark's (1988) translation procedures, which encompass a total of 16 distinct methods, are considered the most influential and relevant for this research.
Transference (loan word or transcription)
Newmark (1988, p 81) defines transference as a procedure when a translator uses an SL word in his/her TL text Simply speaking, transference means no translation
Naturalization technique means “adapts the SL word first to the normal pronunciation, then – to the normal phonology (word-forms_ of the TL” (Newmark,
Through translation (“calque” or “loan translation”)
Applying this procedure, common collocations, names of organizations, the components of compounds and perhaps phrases are translated literally (Newmark,
E.g ST: United Nations Development Programme
TL: Chương trình Phát triển Liên Hiệp Quốc
A translation procedure entails altering the grammar from the source language (SL) to the target language (TL), as noted by Newmark (1988) This method is frequently utilized when the SL and TL have differing grammatical structures or when a literal translation yields text that, while correct, feels unnatural An example of this can be seen in the title of a novel.
TT: Trong vòng nôi kẻ thù
Modulation refers to the alteration of a message by changing the viewpoint, perspective, or category of thought (Vinay & Darbelnet, as cited in Newmark, 1988, p.88) This technique can be categorized into three distinct types.
E.g ST: She cleared her throat
TT: Cô ấy hắng giọng
E.g ST: My presentation was disrupted by the teacher
TT: Cô giáo đã làm gián đoạn bài thuyết trình của tôi
A SL cultural word is translated by a TL cultural word in accordance with Newmark‟s procedure (1988, p 82)
E.g ST: He graduated after obtaining a degree with (high) distinction
TT: Anh ta tốt nghiệp loại giỏi (xuất sắc)
As suggested by Newmark, this strategy proposes the use of “a culture-free word, sometimes with new specific terms” in the translation for a cultural word in the ST, (1988, p 83)
E.g ST: The White House provides timely and accurate information about the
TT: Chính phủ Hoa Kỳ cung cấp những thông tin mới và chính xác về tất cả sự kiện gần đây của Tổng thống
Descriptive equivalent procedure indicates that the translator will use several
TL words to explain a SL word Transference can be often used along with this procedure to translate a cultural word and expression
TT: Bộ áo liền quần của nữ
The couplet procedure involves integrating two or more translation methods to effectively translate a specific term, often related to culture This technique combines transference with functional or cultural equivalents, enhancing the accuracy and relevance of the translation (Newmark, 1988, p 91).
E.g ST: Laura spent a lot of money on her mullet dress
TT: Laura đã tốn rất nhiều tiền để mua một chiếc váy mullet (váy có phần thân sau dài hơn thân trước)
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Design of the study
The study employed a quantitative approach to investigate strategies for translating novel titles from English to Vietnamese This method was chosen due to its effectiveness in analyzing a substantial dataset, allowing for the examination of numerous translated titles By focusing on the collection and analysis of numerical data, the quantitative approach facilitated the identification of the procedures and methods used in the translation process.
This research focuses on analyzing translated novel titles to offer a comprehensive overview of translation strategies and identify the most commonly used methods.
Sampling
The study focuses on the translated novel titles from two prominent publishing houses in Vietnam: Tre Publishing House (TPH) and the Women’s Publishing House (WPH) TPH is renowned for its significant annual revenue, boasting a profit of 10.71 billion VND in 2013, along with numerous awards and recognition as one of Vietnam's top 100 brands In contrast, WPH has a rich history of 57 years in the publishing industry, primarily targeting female readers and showcasing a strong emphasis on world literature Both publishers have received accolades from the Vietnam Writers’ Association and the National Committee of the Association of Vietnam Literature and Art Unions for their literary translations, solidifying their esteemed positions in the market This makes TPH and WPH ideal subjects for the research sampling.
Since the two publishers were established for a long time: TPH founded in
In 1986, the WPH averaged 20 translated books issued annually, making it impractical to investigate such a vast number of samples within four months To address copyright concerns, the researcher decided to focus on data from 2004, the year Vietnam became a signatory of the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works However, finding a comprehensive database of world literary titles published since 2004 proved challenging Initial attempts to obtain publication lists from publishers in TPH yielded limited results Ultimately, the researcher turned to the official websites of Nxbtre.com.vn and Nxbphunu.com.vn for data Due to the WPH's website not being regularly updated, the researcher had to combine data from both sources Additionally, TPH's website listed English-Vietnamese translated books from 2004, while the WPH's records began in 2011, leading the researcher to select titles from both publishers from 2011 to the present for consistency.
The selected book titles adhere to specific criteria: they are novels published by two distinct publishers, written originally in English, and their titles have been updated to enhance accessibility for researchers.
Finally, 116 novel titles by TPH from 2010-2014 were selected based on the above criteria and only 25 titles of the WPH In total, there were 140 titles.
Data collection procedures
In the study, document analysis is served as the only method of data collection The procedures of gathering data consisted of three main steps as follows:
To follow this initial step, the researcher accessed two official websites of the two publishers, clicked to section “Văn học nước ngoài” (Foreign Literature),
21 and selected the novels issued from 2011-2014 The picked novels were checked again to certify that their originals are English
Given the inadequacy of up-datedness on the WPH‟s website, the database was a blend of the online source and the list of publication offered by the WPH
The books that are reprinted are excluded from the database to ensure the up- datedness
Step 2: Establishing database of original and translated novel titles
A comprehensive database of original English titles and their Vietnamese translations is essential for researchers to analyze translation strategies effectively To locate the original titles of novels, the researcher utilized Google by entering the author's name along with brief introductory sentences about the books This initial search was subsequently verified by cross-referencing the content of both language versions to ensure the accuracy of the titles obtained.
The author organized the collected titles by creating an Excel table that includes the original names, their translated versions, the authors' names, and the researcher's analysis for future reference.
Step 3: Classifying the titles into three types
After the data were collected, the researcher classified English titles in line with the classification of titles in Literature Review part
In a study of 140 literary book titles, nominal titles dominate with 71 examples, representing 51.2% of the total Following this, complex titles are the second most common, with 45 titles making up 31.9% In contrast, verbal titles are fewer in number, totaling 25, while adjectival titles are the least common, with only 9 instances.
Figure 3.1 Types of English novel titles in Tre Publishing House and the
Data analysis procedures
Moving to data analysis, the researcher started classifying translation procedures used by adopting theory of Newmark (1988) The process required most time and effort to categorize 140 titles into 24 translation strategies
The final statistics file consists of multiple sheets and tables, featuring a comprehensive table with four columns: original titles, translated titles, title classifications, and translation strategies.
The researcher employed the "Find All" function in Microsoft Office Excel to tally the frequency of each strategy used Subsequently, the percentage for each strategy group was computed using a specific formula.
X: percentage of translation strategy applied in translation strategy of novel titles n: total times that strategy was adopted
N: total number of novel titles (0)
The researcher identified the predominant translation strategies used for novel titles in response to the first research question Following this, data was systematically calculated and organized into tables and charts for clarity Ultimately, the analysis of these tables and charts provided insights that were compared with existing findings.
Nominal titleVerbal titleComplex titleAdjectival title
23 findings from the previous studies and draws conclusions for the second research question
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Research question 1: What are the most popular English – Vietnamese
translation strategies employed to translate novel titles published by Tre Publishing House and the Women’s Publishing House from 2011-2014?
4.1.1 Application of translation strategies in general
In Chapter 2, the researcher identified 24 strategies, including 16 procedures and 8 methods; however, 12 titles did not utilize any of these strategies The application of these strategies varied significantly, with only 9 being implemented, including literal translation Further discussion on the unutilized titles will be provided later.
The number of novel titles translated literally was up to 39 out of 128 titles This striking number verifies the theory of Newmark that the close translation is
The fundamental translation process encompasses both communicative and semantic translation, as highlighted by Newmark (1988) In Vietnam, publishers often favor translations that closely adhere to the original title, demonstrating a preference for fidelity in translation Examples illustrating this trend are provided in the accompanying table.
Table 4.1 Novel titles translated by literal translation
Ten things I‟ve learnt about love
Mười điều tôi học được về tình yêu
Reimagining My Life After Loss
Mơ những giấc mơ mới:
Hình dung lại cuộc đời sau mất mát
Girl in the mirror Cô gái trong gương
The findings support the trend of employing literal translation, as discussed in Chapter 2: Literature Review, highlighting the perspectives of Gavling (2008) and Salehi and Fumani (2013) regarding the prevalence of literal translation in the transformation of novel titles Additionally, adaptation plays a crucial role in this process.
Adaptation was one of the primary methods used to translate novel titles, allowing publishers to create new titles that enhance the appeal and clarity of the original works This approach involved crafting titles that better reflected the content, making them more attractive to potential readers Examples of this practice illustrate how adaptation can effectively communicate the essence of a story while engaging a wider audience.
Table 4.2 Novel titles translated by adaptation
English title Vietnamese translation Storyline
Set in 1960s Mississippi, "The Help" follows the journey of two black maids and a white socialite who unite to author a revealing book about the experiences of black maids in the South, potentially transforming their lives and their small town The title "The Help," translated to "Người giúp việc," effectively encapsulates the novel's theme, providing readers with a clear understanding of its focus While "The Help" inspires broader reflections, its meaning can be perceived as more ambiguous.
Only 3 out of 128 titles were applied singly this translation strategy, which could be explained by the number of titles containing only proper names To be exact, all titles that had only proper names were transformed through this procedure The list below can clearly illustrate:
Table 4.3 Novel titles translated by transference
Casablanca Casablanca Forrest Gump Forrest Gump
Proper names are now often preserved in their original form to maintain authenticity, contrasting with past practices where adapted phonology was used for translation, such as rendering "garage" as "ga-ra." This shift highlights a trend towards retaining the unique identity of names rather than naturalizing them.
The significant differences in grammatical structures between Vietnamese and English often necessitate shifts in translation Translators frequently adjust the arrangement of adjectives and nouns within noun phrases Additionally, simple sentences are often transformed into noun phrases during the translation process Further examples of this strategy can be found in the table below.
Table 4.4 Grammatical structure changes when using shift and some examples Structure of ST Structure of TT Frequency Example
Adjective + noun Noun + adjective 7 ST: The secret kingdom
TT: Vương quốc bí ẩn
Noun 1 + noun 2 Noun 2 + noun 1 3 ST: Ice shock
TT: Kinh hoàng trong băng giá
Noun‟s noun Noun + noun 2 ST: Cassie's crush
TT: Nhật ký say nắng của Cassie
Verb + noun Noun + verb 2 ST: Follow your heart
TT: Trái tim mách bảo Simple sentence Noun + adjective 5 ST: Blue is for Nightmares
TT: Ác mộng xanh e Cultural equivalents
Only 1 title was applied this strategy of translation: Havoc - there's no going back was translated into Havoc - Một đi không trở lại
The analysis reveals that 39 titles were translated using a combination of literal translation and other techniques, including transference, shift, expansion, reduction, adaptation, descriptive equivalents, paraphrase, modulation, and synonymy The frequency of these translation methods is detailed in the accompanying table.
Literal translation + Expansion and reduction 3
Titles that utilize this strategy often have a common trait: they are sequels in established novel series The initial installments retain the original series names through transference, such as the Kylie Jean series, Demonata series, and John Carter series, while others are adapted, like the Mates and Dates series This adaptation approach aims to create a memorable auditory effect, particularly through the repetitive sound of /eit/ in "mates."
“dates”, which were conveyed successfully to Cặp bè cặp bạn
Another type that was utilized couplet strategy was noun phrases containing proper names Thence, transference was for maintaining those proper names and
28 another strategy for the remaining parts E.g The Donut Diaries of Dermot Miligan was changed into Nhật ký bánh donut của Dermot Milligan, keeping the words
“donut”, “Dermot Milligan” and literally translating the rest
The final titles utilizing this strategy addressed those that experienced a shift but required additional methods to accurately reflect the original meanings For instance, the title "Dead Souls" was modified by reversing the order of the adjective and noun, and the term "lẩn khuất" was included to enhance its vibrancy, resulting in "Những linh hồn lẩn khuất."
The titles of the Trylle trilogy utilized a synonymy strategy, where translators selected the closest meanings from the source language that aligned with the content to effectively convey the essence of the titles.
Table 4.6 Novel titles translated by synonymy
Paraphrasing was rarely used alone for translating book titles, with all titles employing this method being nominal Translators provided more detailed explanations of the words, as illustrated in the examples below.
Table 4.7 Novel titles translated by paraphrase
The Invention of ecocide Con đường da cam
The deep end of the ocean Trong thẳm sâu tâm hồn i Reduction and expansion
Reduction and expansion entail the omission or addition of a SL word,
“which is not essential for understanding” (Newmark, 1988, p 90) 10 titles utilized
29 this procedure omitted or added some words to their translation Some examples are listed below:
Table 4.8 Novel titles translated by reduction and expansion
Tortilla Flat Thị trấn Tortilla Flat
Red riding hood Cô gái quàng khăn đỏ
Reflected in You Soi chiếu
Children of the Lamp: The
Day Of The Djinn Warrior
Hâụ duệ thần đèn 04 – Ngày tái sinh những chiến binh đất nung
One Night Một đêm duy nhất
4.1.2 Application of translation strategies in particular types of titles
The researcher examined translation strategies based on the classification of novel titles, which include nominal, verbal, adjectival, and complex titles Notably, nominal titles accounted for 51.2% and complex titles for 31.9% of the published novels, while verbal and adjectival titles were significantly less common, representing only 10.6% and 6.3%, respectively For the analysis, the researcher focused exclusively on the most frequently used titles from each category.
Over half of the novels are labeled with various strategies for translation, highlighting the importance of effective title transformation from English to Vietnamese Seven distinct strategies are employed in this process, as illustrated in the accompanying chart.
Figure 4.1 Strategies in translation of nominal titles
Research question 2: What implications can be suggested to students
majoring in translation and interpreting when translating novel titles?
From the major findings of this study, some implications can be drawn as supportive tools for translation and interpreting students when translating novel titles
To maintain the integrity of literary works, it is essential for translators to adhere closely to the original title As noted by Newmark (1988), literal translation serves as the cornerstone of the translation process, emphasizing the importance of striving for equivalence to preserve the original identity of the text.
The faithfulness, however, cannot be always attainable as literal translation,
Translating titles at an "above word level" can be increasingly challenging, as noted by Newmark (1988, p.70) When literally translated titles sound unnatural in Vietnamese and lack aesthetic appeal, translators may need to employ multiple strategies simultaneously If these strategies fail to preserve the identity of the original titles, creating a new title based on the novel's content becomes necessary This process can be particularly daunting for translation and interpreting students, who must engage deeply with the text to uncover its core meaning and message Consequently, newly-created titles must reflect the connotations of the source text to ensure both accuracy and conciseness.
Translators must prioritize readability while balancing creativity in their work Titles should be engaging and captivating, yet they must also align with the cultural context of Vietnam.
In conclusion, students specializing in translation and interpreting should aim to closely adhere to the source language (SL) text when translating novel titles However, in cases where direct equivalence is lacking, translators should consider the text's meaning, the purpose of the titles, and the audience's readability to create an appropriate new title.
CONSCLUSIONS
Summary of the findings
This research aimed to explore the translation strategies used for novel titles by prominent publishing houses in Vietnam, specifically Tre Publishing House and the Women’s Publishing House Additionally, the study offers valuable suggestions for translation and interpreting students to enhance their skills in translating titles effectively.
Mardh's model (1980) categorizes titles into four types: nominal, verbal, adjectival, and complex Additionally, the translation strategies utilized in this study are based on a combination of sixteen methods and eight procedures outlined by Newmark (1988).
1) By investigating 140 titles from both publishers, the researcher concluded that from 2011 to 2014, nine strategies were utilized to translate English novel titles to Vietnamese, namely literal translation, adaptation, transference, couplet, shift, synonymy, paraphrase, reduction and expansion and cultural equivalents
2) Literal translation and couplet were the two most dominant strategies of translation Adaptation, shift, and reduction and expansion were relatively commonly used while the rest of translation strategies were far more inferior Furthermore, 12 titles were left out of the above translation strategies as they provided new or loosely related titles
3) Nominal titles were mainly translated literally for the sake of originality The titles which were more difficult to find equivalents would be transformed by couplet The compound nouns were regularly dealt by shift, which is for non-equivalence in grammar
4) Due to the similarity of verb phrase between English and Vietnamese, literal translation tended to dominate verbal title translation Other strategies enjoyed the harmonious percentage of being used
5) The free forms provided by adaptation and flexibility given by numerous choices of couplet translation made them two most dominant strategies of adjectival title translation
6) The final group of titles: complex titles were made up mainly from series of novels Couplet, which provides two simultaneous procedures, was ultimate choice to translate titles of this type
7) About implications for translation and interpreting students, the faithfulness is the first and foremost thing to bear in mind However, non- equivalence can be solved by giving a new title on the ground of novels‟ content.
Limitations of the study and suggestions for further studies
Despite the researcher's significant efforts, limitations remain inevitable due to constraints in time and expertise, which may hinder a comprehensive exploration of the topic.
The researcher, constrained by time and expertise, primarily focused on easily describable aspects such as translation methods and procedures, resulting in a methodology that only synthesized and generalized publication dates Consequently, while the study offers a broad overview of strategies used in English-Vietnamese translation of novel titles, it lacks a deeper, multi-layered analysis Future research should address these gaps by employing additional methods, such as interviews with editors or translators, to gain comprehensive insights into the processes and principles involved in translating novel titles.
Translation assessment remains a complex and largely unexplored issue, particularly in the context of literary translation The emergence of numerous new titles raises important questions about creativity in this field, specifically regarding the choice between creating a new title or preserving the original It invites a discussion on the appropriate level of creativity that should be applied in translation practices.
Notwithstanding, the researcher found out that 44 titles (31.2%) were given a subtitle of the original name under translated titles This trend can also be an issue to explore
The study's limitations are primarily due to its narrow scope, as it only analyzes data from two publishers, Tre Publishing House and the Women’s Publishing House, covering a period from 2011 to 2014 With only 141 titles examined, the findings may not provide a comprehensive overview of the strategies used in translating English novel titles in Vietnam Expanding the research to include multiple publishers across a broader timeframe could yield more diverse examples and strengthen the conclusions However, the researcher faced constraints in time and resources, preventing the implementation of these recommendations.
The researcher recognized that analyzing 140 titles based on their variety limits the feasibility of conducting a survey for enhanced objectivity Future studies aim to address this limitation.
In conclusion, further intensive research is needed to explore various strategies and techniques for translating English novel titles Additionally, studies should focus on critical aspects such as translation quality assessment, acceptable creativity levels in literary title translations, and the trend of utilizing original subtitles Lastly, conducting larger-scale studies will enhance the generalization of the findings in this field.
In "Translation and Translating," Bell (1991) explores the complexities of the translation process, emphasizing its significance in bridging linguistic and cultural gaps Briffa and Caruana (2009) examine stylistic creativity in translating titles, highlighting the challenges and innovative strategies employed by translators Their findings were presented at the Poetics and Linguistics Association's Annual Conference in Middleburg, Netherlands, underscoring the importance of creativity in translation For further insights, the full paper is accessible online.
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Strategies applied in translation of English novel titles in Tre Publishing House
No Source text Target text
Cặp bè cặp bạn – Những sai lầm điên rồ
Cặp bè cặp bạn – Cuộc đào thoát lãng mạn
Kinh hoàng trong băng giá
David Leslie) khăn đỏ reduction
Ly hương tìm quá khứ
Thang dây Nominal title Shift
Bức thư của người đàn bà không quen
14 The other hand Bàn tay Nominal Exception
(Chris Cleave) cứu mạng title
Chuyến tàu mang tên dục vọng
Sự hiểm ác xinh đẹp
Thế giới tươi đẹp của Marcelo
Sức mạnh của số sáu
Tôi, Charley và hành trình nước Mỹ
- Di sản thừa kế (tập 1)
(Basharat Peer) Đêm giới nghiêm
John Carter và thống soái Hỏa tinh
Vùng đất vắng linh hồn
- Di sản thừa kế (tập 2)
Christie) Án mạng trên sông Nile
Christie) Án mạng trên chuyến tàu tốc hành phương Đông
37 The blue Cuốn sổ Nominal Shift
The deep end of the ocean
Trong thẳm sâu tâm hồn
Lâu đài người bán nón
(A.J.Cronin) Thành trì Nominal title
The way of all flesh
The way of all flesh
(Philip Roth) Báo ứng Nominal title
Nhật ký say nắng của Cassie
Couplet (Shift + Expansion and reduction)
Khởi sinh của cô độc
Tất cả chúng ta đều là cá
Jonasson) Ông trăm tuổi trèo qua cửa sổ và biến mất
Ten things I‟ve learnt about love
Mười điều tôi học được về tình yêu
Ten things I‟ve learnt about love
Nhật ký bánh donut của
The Last Letter from Your
The Last Letter from Your Lover
Hãy tin anh Verbal title Literal translation
Có một nơi gọi là chốn này
Trái tim mách bảo Verbal title Shift
Dạo bước trên mây Verbal title Literal translation
Bị hoán đổi Verbal title Synonymy
Bị tranh đoạt Verbal title Synonymy
(Sylvia Day) Chạm Mở Verbal title
Lên ngôi Verbal title Synonymy
: the secrets of the immortal
Nhà giả kim - Bí mật của Nicholas Flamel bất tử
69 Charlie Bone: Charlie Complex Literal
Bone và lâu đài gương title translation
The Secrets of the Immortal
Kẻ chiêu hồn: Bí mật của Nicholas Flamel bất tử
Cậu bé trộm ma thuật 03 – Tìm được bảo bối
Hải tặc ma cà rồng 03 – Thuyền trưởng máu
Havoc - there's no going back
Havoc - Một đi không trở lại
Havoc - there's no going back
Blog con gái - Kế hoạch
Blog con gái - Phiền toái hẹn hò
Blog con gái - Tuyệt hơn cả
Brothers, Boyfriends and Babe Magnets
Ngôi nhà bóng đêm – Được lựa chọn
04 – Ngày tái sinh những chiến binh
The Day Of The Djinn Warrior
04 - Bec Tiếng thét trong chiều tối
Bec – Screams in the dark
06 - Sự khải huyền của quỷ
The Secrets of the Immortal
(Michael Scott) Ảo thuật gia - Bí mật của Nicholas Flamel bất tử
Nơi dòng sông chảy qua
John Carter và công chúa Hỏa tinh
John Carter và linh thần Hỏa tinh
Groening) Đừng bao giờ nói lời chia xa
Frankenste in: Chết và hồi sinh
Frankenste in: Thành phố của bóng đêm
Frankenste in: Đứa con lang bạt
And then there were none
Mười người da đen nhỏ
(Darren Shan) bóng của tử thần e + Shift)
This book will save your life
Quyển sách này sẽ cứu cuộc đời bạn
The Secrets of the Immortal
Yêu nữ: Bí mật của Nicholas Flamel bất tử
10 – Những anh hùng của địa ngục
Children of the lamp 5: The eye of the forest
The eye of the forest
(Jai Pausch) mới: Hình dung lại cuộc đời sau mất mát
Ngôi trường quái vật 02: Ma cà rồng nhà bên
Hải tặc ma cà rồng 04 – tim đen
Kylie Jean – Nữ hoàng sân khấu
Kylie Jean – Nữ hoàng bóng rổ
Kylie Jean – Nữ hoàng dâu tây
Thị trấn cổng quạ đen - Lời nguyền rao bán
Couplet (Expansion and Reduction + Literal translation)
Thị trấn cổng quạ đen - Vết cắn
Couplet (Expansion and Reduction + Literal translation)
Thị trấn cổng quạ đen - Hòn đảo mất tích
Couplet (Expansion and Reduction + Shift)
Couplet (Shift + Expansion and Reduction)
Những kẻ bất khả trị
Bí kíp luyện rồng của Nấc Cụt Horrendou s Haddock đệ tam
Strategies applied in translation of English novel titles in the Women‟s Publishing
No Source text Target text Clasification Strategy
Những linh hồn lẩn khuất
Mắt trần Nominal title Shift
The Wind in the Willows
Gió đùa trong liễu Nominal title Couple (Shift +
Rebecca ở trang trại Suối Nắng
Ngôi nhà lụa Nominal title Literal translation
Cô gái chọc tổ ong bầu Nominal title Literal translation
Một đêm duy nhất Nominal title Expansion
(Anne Fortier) Juliet Nominal title Transference
Trong vòng nôi kẻ thù Nominal title Shift
Cô gái đùa với lửa Nominal title Literal translation
The Girl with the Dragon
Cô gái có hình xăm rồng
Pizza, Love, and Other Stuff
Cô nàng Pizza Nominal title Exception
Mật ngữ của hoa Nominal title
Mối tình 2D Nominal title Adaptation Flat-out
The Buddha in the Attic
Phật ở tầng áp mái Nominal title Literal translation
Bị bán Verbal title Literal translation
Nụ hôn của nàng công chúa biển
Chờ mặt trời lên Verbal title