INTRODUCTION
THEORETICAL BACKGROUND
An overview on translation
Many linguists have mentioned the concept of “translation procedure” up to now
Translation terminology can vary significantly among linguists, with terms such as "procedure," "method," and "technique" often used interchangeably Distinguishing between translation procedures, methods, and techniques presents a complex challenge According to Krings (1986:18), a translation procedure refers to the translator's conscious strategies for addressing specific translation challenges within a given task Similarly, Loescher (1991:8) describes translation procedures as conscious approaches to solving problems encountered during the translation of a text or its segments.
Besides, Newmark (1995: 68) clearly distinguishes translation methods with translation procedures: “while translation methods relate to whole texts, translation procedures are used for sentences and the smaller units of language”
In brief, translation procedure can be basically understood as ways of choosing appropriate translation methods and procedures applied in particular cases
In my thesis, I adopt Newmark's (1995) theory framework on translation procedures, as outlined in his book "A Textbook of Translation." Newmark categorizes translation procedures into twelve distinct types, providing a comprehensive approach to understanding the translation process.
Literal translation is a crucial procedure in translation studies, warranting its own dedicated chapter As noted by Newmark (1995: 69), literal translation can occur at various levels, including word-to-word, group-to-group, collocation-to-collocation, and sentence-to-sentence However, as the unit of translation increases, achieving a one-to-one correspondence becomes increasingly rare Newmark also emphasizes that the difficulty of literal translation escalates above the word level, and he points out that more specific or technical terms are less influenced by contextual factors (1995: 70).
A literal translation is more probable when there is cultural overlap between languages, as common objects typically have one-to-one translations However, many languages exhibit peculiar lexical gaps, and a term for a common object may also carry additional meanings.
Specific features: This type of procedure is mostly used when translating SL words / phrases / text with available meanings presented in the dictionary into TL words / phrases / text
In English, the words "tooth," "gum," and "lip" each correspond to a single Vietnamese term: "răng," "lợi," and "môi," respectively Consequently, translators must utilize these existing meanings when translating between the two languages.
The second type of translation procedure is the transference, which was discussed in “A textbook of translation” (1995: 81)
Newmark describes "transference" as a translation procedure where a source language (SL) word is directly transferred into a target language (TL) text This method is often applied to the names of living individuals and many historical figures.
Geographical and topographical names, including newly independent countries like Zaire and Malawi, should remain untranslated unless they have established translations This also applies to names of periodicals, newspapers, untranslated literary works, plays, films, private companies, nationalized institutions, and street names The debate surrounding the transference of these names highlights two perspectives: proponents argue that maintaining original names respects the source language culture, while critics contend that a translator's role is to translate and clarify for the audience (Newmark, 1995: 82).
Specific features: This procedure is applied usefully in translation the materials and chemicals that have in the TL words the similar pronunciation or transcription as the SL words
The English term "alginate," commonly used for molding tooth shapes, is translated into Vietnamese as "al-gi-nat," a term that closely resembles the pronunciation of the original English word.
Another type of procedure is the naturalization translation In his book, Newmark (1995:
82) said: “The procedure succeeds transference and adapts the SL word first to the normal pronunciation, then to the normal morphology of the TL” It means the SL and the TL words or phrases have the similar way of pronouncing and their word-forms
This procedure shares similarities with transference, as it involves transferring the phonetic or morphological characteristics of source language (SL) words into target language (TL) words For example, the English term "abscess" retains a comparable pronunciation in the target language.
TL as “áp-xe”, therefore its equivalent in the dictionary is “áp-xe” as well
Every context has its own cultural aspects The translator needs to consider the cultural equivalents to produce more appropriate TL
According to Newmark (1995: 82), the procedure involves an approximate translation where a source language (SL) cultural term is rendered using target language (TL) cultural equivalents He emphasizes that the primary aim of this procedure is to enhance or complement another translation method in a combined approach.
Specific features: This procedure has its advantage when the TL words need a cultural factor translation
The English word "gum" has different translations in Vietnam, with "lợi" commonly used in the North and "nướu" in the South However, speakers familiar with both dialects do not distinguish between the two terms.
As it is stated by Newmark (1995: 83), the procedure is usually applied to cultural words,
To effectively translate cultural terms, it is essential to utilize a culture-free word or occasionally introduce a new specific term This approach generalizes or neutralizes the source language (SL) word, making it the most accurate method for decentralizing culturally specific language.
The procedure of decentralizing a cultural word is the opposite of the previously mentioned cultural procedure This method is seldom used in isolation; instead, it is typically combined with another technique, such as transference, to create a "couplet" in translation (Newmark, 1995: 83).
Newmark (1995) emphasizes the importance of balancing description and function in translation, stating that both elements are crucial for effective communication He notes that while functional procedures and descriptive methods can be used together, there has been a shift in translation discussions where the focus has moved from neglecting functions to overemphasizing them This highlights the need for a thoughtful approach that considers both descriptive and functional aspects in the translation process.
An overview on terminology
Terminology encompasses two key aspects: it is both the discipline that studies the principles and methods of concepts and their designations within any subject field, and it refers to the specific set of terms that constitute the specialized language of that field (Valeontis & Mantzari, 2006) Unlike general words, terms uniquely identify discrete conceptual entities relevant to a particular domain (Backer, 1998) In Vietnam, notable linguists such as Nguyen Van Tu, Do Huu Chau, and Nguyen Thien Giap have extensively researched vocabulary and terminology Nguyen Van Tu (1968) described terminology as fixed words or phrases that denote concepts across various fields, while Do Huu Chau (1998) emphasized its role in scientific and technological contexts Nguyen Thien Giap (1999) further defined it as a segment of specialized language that accurately names concepts within different areas of human knowledge Thus, terminology can be understood as fixed words or phrases that precisely represent concepts within specific subject fields.
Sue Ellen Wright and Gerhard Budin (1997:160) writes “Medical terminology is highly- structured and therefore lends itself to logical classification schemes.”
According to Charline M Dolfka in her 2012 book "Dental Terminology," dental terminology focuses on the specific vocabulary associated with dental sciences She emphasizes that there are standardized rules and conventions governing the formation, pronunciation, pluralization, and meaning of these terms.
In medical terminology, numerous words indicate the proximity to anatomical structures, with many dental terms derived from the names of bones or structures However, a significant portion of these terms originates from the names of dental procedures.
2.2.2.1 Formation of the dental words
Also, in the same part, she writes “Dental terms are usually formed by a combination of small words or syllables linked in a “building block” or word chain”.
When analysing the structure of a dental word, some considerations to observe include the following:
• A prefix: qualifies the word by indicating such things as the quantity, color, size, condition or location A word may or may not have a prefix
• A root: provides the basic foundation for the word A dental term may have more than one root When two roots are combined, a combining vowel (usually “o”) is used to connect them
• A suffix: is sometimes added to a root (s) to qualify or describe the meaning The combining vowel (o) placed after the root is not used when the suffix itself begins with a vowel
• A word may be easier to analyse by beginning with the suffix and working toward the beginning of the word
• Many word structures have multiple meanings, either from Greek, Latin, or French languages
Charline M Dolfka (2012:3), in the book “Dental terminology” divides Dental terminology into areas of interest like the following:
(1) Operative dentistry: general information about the working dentistry industry
(2) Practice and facilities setups: Updating of duties, services, and employment concerns as well as new instrument information
(3) Emergency care: new guidelines for cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of automated external defibrillation
(4) Examination and prevention: the importance of proper and thorough patient health information data and examination concerns as well as diagnostic testing
(5) Pain management and pharmacology: descriptions of anxiety abatement controls as a method of pain reduction
(6) Radiography: digital radiography, biological effects and safety
(7) Cosmetic dentistry: tooth reconstruction, gingival reductions and augmentation, implant placement and other cosmetic procedures
(8) Prosthodontics: material combination, makeup and uses of the requirements for practice
(9) Endodontics: charting and diagnosis of pulpal conditions as well as new instruments such as flowmeters, loupes, microscopic surgical instruments and methods
(10) Oral and maxillofacial surgery: various surgical procedures for maxillofacial treatment, bone reconstruction, implant placement as well as surgical participation in esthetic dentistry
(11) Orthodontics: direct or indirect banding or brackets, lingual or invisalign braces, anchor devices
(12) Periodontics: periodontic treatment in cosmetic dentistry,
(13) Pediatric dentistry: development and growth concerns of the child patients as well as control and sedation of the child
(14) Dental laboratory procedures: computer-assisted systems in the area of dental restoration and appliances
(15) Implantology: system of the methods of implanting a total false tooth (including both crown and root) in to the clients’ alveolar bone
Each section of the dental terminology system contains unique content tailored to its specific functions and missions, as detailed in the book "Dental Terminology" referenced in this thesis.
Each field of research has its technical terms and descriptive terms These types of terms are not the same in both form and usage
The data sources for this article include the dictionary "Thuật ngữ Răng Hàm Mặt," published by the Faculty of Odonto-Stomatology at Ho Chi Minh Pharmaceutical – Medical University in 1993, and the book "Dental Terminology" authored by Charline.
M Dofka, published by Delmar, Cengage Learning, 2012 For the later book, I have used it to compare and contrast the English meanings of the terms in order to understand the nature of them
In the "Dental and Maxillofacial Terminology" dictionary, I have compiled approximately 450 terms essential for my work as a translator These terms are categorized into two groups: technical terms and descriptive terms, as outlined by Newmark (1995: 153).
About 250 words / phrases of all are the technical terms, which occupies approximately 55%, and the rest of words / phrases are the descriptive terms, which occupies 45%
In their book "Writing That Works," Oliu, B, and J A (1998) define technical terms as words that hold significance exclusively within a specific industry, rendering them incomprehensible to those outside that field.
As mentioned above, these 250 technical terms are of academic and professional styles, and the rest 200 descriptive terms are of popular style
In the dental field, many terms are modified with prefixes to create derivative words that convey distinct meanings A prefix can change a word's meaning by indicating aspects such as number, color, size, location, or condition (Charline M Dofka, 2012, pp 4-6) The terms enhanced with prefixes are sourced from "Dental Terminology, 2012," while their definitions are referenced from the dictionary "Thuật ngữ Răng Hàm Mặt, 1993."
The examples are in the table below:
Word meanings (Thuật ngữRăng Hàm Mặt, 1993)
: sự chẻđôi : cung ẳ (hàm) : sự nở to, phình : vêt rạch, vết khắc : lệch vị trí
: cấy ghép : nghiến hàm trong : ởkhe răng
: (thuộc) nội nha : (thuộc) nha chu : khớp cắn lệch : sự không mọc được răng: tiền hàm
According to Charline M Dofka in her book "Dental Terminology" (2012), a suffix is an element added to the end of a root word or combining form to modify its meaning Suffixes cannot stand alone and are typically connected to a root element using a combining vowel, usually "o," unless the suffix begins with a vowel, in which case the combining vowel is omitted.
Gingivectomy refers to the surgical removal of gum tissue, derived from the root word "gingivo," meaning gum, and the suffix "ectomy," which signifies surgical excision By combining these elements, the term "gingivectomy" effectively describes the procedure of excising gum tissue.
Suffixes serve as essential word endings that describe or indicate relationships, transforming nouns or verbs into adjectives, and vice versa By adding these suffixes, one can effectively modify the meaning of a word, enhancing its descriptive quality Examples of these transformations can be found in the materials referenced.
Word meanings (Thuật ngữRăng Hàm Mặt, 1993) trainee, employee … patient, recipient … surgeon examiner, practitioner physician dentist, orthodontist doctor, donor
: người được huấn luyện, người làm công
: bệnh nhân, người thụhưởng : bác sĩ phẫu thuật
: người khám bệnh, thực tập sinh : bác sĩ điều trị
: nha sĩ, bác sĩ chỉnh nha : bác sĩ, người hiến tặng
Suffixes play a crucial role in dental terminology by indicating processes, uses, or healing Analyzing long dental words from the suffix backward can reveal significant actions related to the root element, such as “-ectomy,” which signifies surgical removal, or “-trophy,” indicating development Additionally, suffixes like “-algia” denote pain, highlighting the importance of understanding these components for effective communication in the dental field.
Meanings (Thuật ngữRăng Hàm Mặt, 1993) odontalgia : sựđau răng
: sự cắt chóp (răng, hoặc lợi) : sự phát triển xương
: phẫu thuật nướu / lợi : tếbào xương
Newmark (1995: 146) stated that “Eponyms, in my definition, are any words derived from proper names”
In dental terms, tt is remarkable that many famous people names appear in dental terms
The individuals discussed are typically the founders or pioneers who define specific concepts or issues The terms associated with these figures lack direct translations in Vietnamese, as demonstrated in the following table.
: cầu California : góc răng dưới mặt phẳng Frankfort : mão Richmond
(Thuật ngữ Răng Hàm Mặt, 1993)
Acronyms have become a prevalent element in non-literary texts, often serving to create an impression of prestige and intrigue, prompting readers to discover their meanings (Newmark, 1995) When acronyms are used, they typically have a standard equivalent term or, in the absence of such a term, a descriptive alternative.
Summary of the chapter
This chapter discusses Newmark's (1995) theory on translation procedures and explores technical translation, emphasizing various technical styles It highlights the field of dental terminology, focusing on the formation of dental terms through prefixes, suffixes, and roots Additionally, it outlines key areas of interest in dentistry as identified by Charline M Dofka (2012), including operative dentistry, practice facility setups, emergency care, examination and prevention, pain management, radiography, cosmetic dentistry, prosthodontics, endodontics, orthodontics, periodontics, pediatric dentistry, dental laboratory procedures, and implantology.
The last but not least is the types of dental terms which are divided into technical terms and descriptive terms, based on the theory of Newmark (1995)
The next chapter appears to deal with the research methodology of the thesis
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research questions
This study sought to build a theory in answer to the following research questions:
Research question 1: What are the translation procedures used in the communication between dentists and patients / clients?
Research question 2: What translation procedures are effective?
Methodology
A mixed methods study is ideal for research aiming to collect and classify data from reliable sources while also explaining theories and analyzing theoretical aspects According to Creswell and Plano Clark (2011), this approach involves collecting, analyzing, and integrating both quantitative and qualitative data to gain a comprehensive understanding of research problems Creswell (2008) emphasizes that mixed methods should be used when the combination of both data types offers greater insight than either could provide alone, particularly when one type of research is insufficient to fully address the research questions.
In the research process, data is collected and classified before being described and analyzed according to Newmark's (1995) theory of translation procedures This analysis leads to the identification of effective translation methods Chapter two of the thesis specifically examines twelve translation procedures to determine the most useful techniques for translating dental terminology from English to Vietnamese.
The researcher
As both a researcher and a translator/interpreter, I facilitate communication between dentists and patients at the Hoan Kiem Dental Clinic in Hai Phong City.
Prior to this thesis, my translation approach primarily relied on literal methods However, I discovered that technical terms often confused listeners, hindering effective communication At times, I resorted to using Google Translate to enhance clarity and ensure the message was conveyed accurately.
This thesis has helped to provide more procedures in translation that I can apply in the process of doing my real job as a translator.
Study participants
The study involves Dr Tuan Vu and five patients—Tarzan, Johnson, Rui, Saiful, and Rum—who participated in approximately 20 dialogues at the Hoan Kiem dental clinic in Hai Phong City These patients hail from various countries, including Malaysia, England, and Singapore Typically, the dental treatment process encompasses four to five appointments, which include examination, primary dental treatment, prescription, post-treatment care, and hygiene practices.
3.5.1 Quantitative data a Sources of quantitative data
There are two main sources of data in the thesis: one has been verified and published and the other is subjective and has not been verified
The verified source is from the dictionary “Thuật ngữ Răng Hàm Mặt” (1993) and the book “Dental Terminology” (2012)
The primary source of information comes from direct dialogues recorded in a memo book between doctors and patients at Hoan Kiem Dental Clinic, alongside indirect consulting conversations conducted through social media platforms such as Zalo, Messenger, and Viber, which occur between the Nha Khoa Hoan Kiem Hai Phong fanpage and its clients.
In my role as a translator and consultant between doctors and patients, I primarily utilize literal translation techniques This thesis aims to explore various translation procedures, referencing the dictionary "Thuật ngữ Răng Hàm Mặt" (1993) to enhance understanding and effectiveness in medical communication.
In my analysis of various quantitative data sources, I identified a total of 450 words and phrases that are frequently utilized in my daily work This compilation includes 250 technical terms, accounting for 55% of the total, and 200 descriptive terms, which make up 45%.
The article includes a total of 250 technical terms, categorized as follows: 50 terms derived from direct dialogues (20%), 50 terms from indirect conversations (20%), 100 terms sourced from the book "Dental Terminology" published in 2012 (40%), and 50 terms taken from the dictionary "Thuật ngữ Răng Hàm Mặt" from 1993 (20%).
The analysis reveals that out of 200 descriptive terms, 100 are sourced from the 1993 dictionary "Thuật ngữ Răng Hàm Mặt," accounting for 50% Additionally, 50 terms originate from direct dialogues, representing 25%, while another 50 terms come from indirect conversations, also comprising 25% Notably, the book "Dental Terminology" (2012) contains no descriptive terms, reflecting a 0% contribution.
The qualitative data presented pertains to a questionnaire assessing the satisfaction of foreign patients regarding the translator's performance after completing their dental treatment The findings from the questionnaire revealed four distinct levels of satisfaction: Satisfied, Dissatisfied, Indifferent, and Other feedback.
In today's rapidly evolving society, a wide range of study tools and instruments are readily available These tools encompass both direct communication methods and various social media platforms, including Zalo, Messenger, Facebook comments, and Viber.
One more useful instrument / tool is the researcher’s memo book, in which I have taken all the necessary notes from the advantages and disadvantages of my job
Phone, mails, forums or other online means are not used in this thesis
The initial phase of quantitative data analysis involves data preparation, transforming raw data into a comprehensible format In this research, the researcher curates a list of 450 commonly used words and phrases from diverse data sources that include many obscure terms The data is categorized into two main groups: technical terms and descriptive terms Furthermore, the technical terms are further classified into four sub-types based on their word formation, starting with prefixes.
21 added terms, suffix-added terms, eponyms, abbreviation or acronyms and letter- consisted terms
After the initial stage of data preparation, both descriptive and inferential statistical methods are employed for analysis Utilizing Newmark's (1995) framework on translation procedures, I apply these methods specifically to the translation of technical terms Out of the twelve procedures outlined by Newmark, nine are used for translating technical terms, while only two are relevant for descriptive terms This thesis examines the similarities and differences among these procedures, along with their respective advantages and disadvantages.
Qualitative data analysis is the process of moving from the qualitative data collected into some form of explanation or interpretation of the subject under investigation
This thesis presents organized questionnaire results that evaluate patient and client satisfaction regarding the impact of translation services at Hoan Kiem Dental Clinic in Hai Phong City.
This chapter outlines the research methods employed to address the research questions, utilizing a mixed methods approach It details the study's procedures, participants, data collection, and analysis methods Peter Newmark's translation theory (1995) serves as a framework for analyzing both quantitative and qualitative data These methodologies have facilitated the development of effective translation procedures for dental terms from English to Vietnamese, benefiting interpreters, doctors, and patients The following chapter will present the results and illustrate the effectiveness of the methodology described herein.
Data analysis
The initial phase of quantitative data analysis involves data preparation, transforming raw data into a comprehensible format In this study, the researcher focuses on a diverse range of data sources, filtering them down to a list of 450 commonly used words and phrases in doctor-patient communication This data is categorized into two main groups: technical terms and descriptive terms Furthermore, the technical terms are subdivided into four categories based on their word or phrase formation, starting with prefixes.
21 added terms, suffix-added terms, eponyms, abbreviation or acronyms and letter- consisted terms
After the initial stage of data preparation, both descriptive and inferential statistical methods are employed for analysis Utilizing Newmark's (1995) framework on translation procedures, I apply these methods specifically to the translation of technical terms Out of the twelve translation procedures identified by Newmark, nine are utilized for technical terms, while only two are used for descriptive terms This thesis examines the similarities and differences between these approaches, along with their respective advantages and disadvantages.
Qualitative data analysis is the process of moving from the qualitative data collected into some form of explanation or interpretation of the subject under investigation
This thesis presents organized questionnaire results that assess patient and client satisfaction regarding the impact of translation services at Hoan Kiem Dental Clinic in Hai Phong City.
Summary of the chapter
This chapter outlines the research methods employed to address the research questions, utilizing a mixed method study approach It details the procedures, study participants, data collection, and analysis methods used in the research Peter Newmark's translation theory (1995) serves as a framework for analyzing both quantitative and qualitative data These methodologies have facilitated the development of effective translation procedures for dental terms from English to Vietnamese, benefiting interpreters, doctors, and patients The subsequent chapter will present the results and validate the methodology discussed herein.
FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION
Translation procedures for descriptive terms
In this thesis, I have compiled over two hundred descriptive terms, encompassing both single and compound forms However, due to length constraints, I have chosen not to include the complete list here Readers are encouraged to refer to any English-Vietnamese dictionaries for further exploration.
In terms of using appropriate translation procedures, I have found three following popular procedures:
In the same way as translating technical terms, translating descriptive terms needs the literal translation procedure
I have listed a few terms to illustrate in the source of the dictionary “Thuật ngữ Răng Hàm Mặt” (1993)
: bàn chải : băng cuộn : xương : trục : thích nghi, quen, vừa : có tính chất mài mòn, bào mòn
: cấp tính : chăm sóc răng miệng : sâu răng
: lan tỏa : lệch, trật : nhổ (răng)
This type of procedure is also used in translating dental descriptive compound terms
This table below illustrates the cases of shift-of-words procedure and transposition of word order procedure
: rìa cắt : hàm giả cố định từng phần : lực nhai
: hàm giả hoàn tất : răng mọc ngầm : răng hai chân / chân đôi : mọc răng bị động
: góc mặt (Source: “Thuật ngữ Răng Hàm Mặt” (1993))
When translating dental descriptive terms, it is essential to apply the technique of omission to prevent redundancy, specifically by omitting prepositions such as "of," "for," or "with." The following table provides illustrative examples of this practice.
Adjustment of the denture borders
Assortment of root canal files
: sự lắp khít bờ hàm giả
: bộdũa ống tủy : cắn đối đầu : phòng ngừa sâu răng : sự mắc kẹt răng : tương quan hàm : chết tủy
: kim tiêm : kim chọc dò
This section focuses on the translation methods for dental descriptive terms While working as a translator at Hoan Kiem Dental Clinic in Hai Phong City, I frequently encountered various descriptive terms, highlighting the necessity of effective translation strategies in the dental field.
To effectively utilize descriptive terms, only three key procedures are necessary Given their inherent popularity across various texts, additional methods like paraphrasing, synonymy, or descriptive equivalence are unnecessary for ensuring clarity and comprehension.
Translation procedures applied in translating dental terminology from
Translating technical terms poses challenges for translators due to variations in form, collocational patterns, and the absence of lexical equivalents in the target language (TL) To address these issues effectively, it is essential to employ suitable translation procedures In my investigation of dental term translations from English to Vietnamese, I have identified several translation strategies grounded in Peter Newmark's theoretical framework (1995).
In translating dental terms from English to Vietnamese, I have utilized various procedures, including literal translation, transference, naturalization, description, shift or transposition, omission, and paraphrasing It is essential to reiterate these translation methods to provide guidance not only for researchers but also for anyone interested in the translation of dental terminology.
However, some procedures have the similar features, they are grouped into one type of procedure, such as transference and naturalization, synonymy and paraphrasing.
Literal translation
The fundamental procedure for translating terms across various contexts is essential for effective communication This method allows for the application of existing meanings to every word or phrase, significantly improving the translation of dental terminology By utilizing this approach, both translators and healthcare professionals, including doctors and patients, can enhance their understanding and communication.
Transference or naturalization procedures
Loanwords and naturalized words share similarities, as both undergo adaptation from the source language (SL) to the target language (TL), initially reflecting the original pronunciation before adjusting to the morphological rules of the TL This section consolidates these two processes for a comprehensive understanding.
Loan words, or naturalized terms, play a crucial role in translating chemicals and materials used in dental disease treatment, particularly when dental acronyms and eponyms are involved These terms are essential when the source language (SL) concepts lack direct equivalents in the target language (TL) For specific examples, refer to Appendices 1 and 2 at the conclusion of the thesis.
Translation by descriptive equivalence procedure
This procedure is utilized when the source language (SL) dental terminology lacks equivalent terms in the target language (TL), requiring the translator or interpreter to creatively articulate the concepts for better understanding among the audience For further details, please refer to Appendix 3.
Translation by using shift or transposition procedures
Shift or transposition occurs due to structural differences between the source language (SL) and target language (TL) This often necessitates rearranging words or altering the order of phrases during translation For further examples, please refer to Appendix 10.
Translation by using procedure of omission
Reduction procedure is necessary when translating the complex terms in the form of norminal group which contains a prepositional phrase to make the translation sound natural in the TL (appendix 11)
Translation by using synonymy or paraphrasing procedures
Summary of the chapter
Translating dental terms from English to Vietnamese presents significant challenges for translators due to the complex structure and unpredictable combinations of words To accurately convey treatment messages and prescriptions from doctors to patients, as well as patients' expectations back to doctors, translators must possess a deep understanding of both terminology and the dental field Analysis of translation procedures for technical and descriptive terms reveals several strategies that translators can employ, including literal translation, transference or naturalization, descriptive equivalence, shift or transposition, synonymy or paraphrasing, and omission The choice of procedure depends on the term structures and the specific goals of the translation.
CONCLUSIONS
Summary of key findings
5.1.1 To answer the research question 1: “What are the translation procedures used in the communication between dentists and patients or clients?”
This thesis aims to identify the most commonly-used translation procedures in dentist-patient communication Effective communication is recognized as a continuous process, requiring translators to focus on various stages: pre-treatment, during treatment, and post-treatment While translating dental terminology is a crucial task, it plays a significant role in enhancing patients' understanding of the treatment process, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes.
During the consultant pre-treatment stage, translators must employ various translation procedures, including literal translation, cultural equivalence, omission, and shift/transposition These methods help them understand and categorize the client's requirements and desires based on their cultural and contextual background.
During the while-treatment stage, commonly utilized translation procedures include descriptive equivalence, synonymy, paraphrasing, transference, and naturalization These methods effectively convey the doctor’s prescriptions and treatment techniques to patients and clients.
In the post-treatment phase, techniques such as transference and naturalization are employed to effectively translate chemicals, medications, or materials Additionally, translators apply similar strategies used in the pre-treatment stage to ensure the proper care and development of patient resources.
In brief, in order to communicate more effectively between doctors and patients, all the translation procedures are flexibly used and they are all important
5.1.2 To answer the research question 2: “What translation procedures are effective ” a Translating technical terms
- For simple technical terms (such as: nouns, verbs, adjectives): We apply the literal translation procedure
- For acronyms or abbreviations: We use transference or naturalization procedure to translate
- For eponyms: We use transference or naturalization procedure as well
- For terms related to cultural elements: We use the cultural equivalence to translate
- For technical terms of in-depth dental field: We use descriptive equivalence to add more information to the terms
- For terms containing technical prefixes, suffixes or formed by roots: We use the procedures of synonymy or paraphrasing to change them into the popular words / phrases
- For compound technical terms that formed by a phrase of a participle and a noun: We use the procedure of shift or transposition to translate
- For technical terms followed with prepositions: We omit the translation of prepositions to make it shorter and more easily-understood b Translating descriptive terms
- For short, simple descriptive terms: We use literal translation procedure
- For compound descriptive terms formed with “participle (V.ing / V.ed) + noun”: We use the procedure of shift or transposition to translate
- Terms followed with prepositions: We use omission translation procedure to avoid redundance
This study presents key findings along with a glossary of essential terms designed for translators, doctors, patients, and theorists It highlights the most frequently used methods for translating dental terminology from English to Vietnamese, ensuring clarity and accuracy in communication within the field.
A consistent use of dental terms will be made, guaranteeing the quality of future translations in the related fields.
Limitations of the study
There are two limitations that need to be addressed regarding the present study
One significant limitation of this study is its research methodology, which relies on limited quantitative data The researcher primarily utilizes her memo book and secondary sources, such as dental dictionaries, for information Additionally, the study involves only the researcher in the role of a translator, with no direct interviews conducted between doctors and patients Instead, the researcher draws on her memories and notes, supplemented by the book "Dental Terminology" (2012) by Charline M Dofka.
Cengage Learning press and the references of Vietnamese meanings from the dictionary
“Thuật ngữ Răng Hàm Mặt” (1993)
The second limitation in this research pertains to the knowledge of the dental field, which is a complex and emerging area of medicine The researcher faces challenges in gaining a deep understanding and often relies on extensive consultations with dental professionals to clarify terminology Additionally, she must refer to foundational texts on dental treatments, but her expertise in this specialized field remains limited.
Implications of the study
A professional translator excels in conveying the meaning of source language (SL) texts into target language (TL) naturally, with a strong focus on accurately translating terminology To achieve effective translation across various fields, it is essential for translators to possess in-depth knowledge of the specific domain, particularly in translating terminology while preserving its essence in the target language This study aims to provide a comprehensive overview of dental terminology, assisting translators in navigating potential confusion when translating dental terms Key insights for translating dental terminology are outlined below.
To effectively translate technical terms, translators must first categorize them into relevant groups and determine the appropriate translation methods Literal translation is suitable for short, straightforward words and phrases, while transference or naturalization is used for loanwords, such as chemical names and acronyms For academic and professional terms with prefixes or suffixes, paraphrasing and synonyming are employed Additionally, shift or transposition techniques are necessary for phrases that require rearranging word order due to grammatical differences between English and Vietnamese As new concepts and objects emerge in the source language that may be unfamiliar to target language readers, translators can utilize descriptive procedures to provide clearer explanations.
In translating descriptive terms, common procedures such as synonymy, paraphrasing, and descriptive equivalence are often unnecessary due to their widespread familiarity Instead, translators frequently rely on techniques like literal translation, shift/transposition, and omission to effectively convey meaning.
In conclusion, the study indicates that translators can effectively translate dental terms by utilizing appropriate procedures, provided they possess a thorough understanding of both the source language (SL) and target language (TL) grammatical and semantic features This research aims to serve as a valuable resource for translators and anyone interested in the field of dental translation.
5.3.2 For EFL teaching and learning
English for Odontology is now an official subject in Vietnamese medical universities, serving as a valuable resource for teachers and students in the field While existing textbooks primarily focus on grammar and communication, there is a notable lack of vocabulary related to specific dental terms and their translation from English to Vietnamese This thesis addresses this gap, providing essential terminology and procedures that are crucial for dental professionals, including doctors and nurses in clinics.
Learners of Odontology should acquire a comprehensive understanding of English terminology to effectively apply their knowledge in the future It is essential for them to first grasp new vocabulary before fully comprehending the text This thesis aims to contribute valuable insights for the teaching and learning of English for Specific Purposes (ESP).
This study analyzes authentic documents to investigate the translation procedures of dental terms by examining their structural features It identifies common strategies for translating single, compound, and complex dental terms, highlighting specialized approaches used in the field.
However, since the time is limited, the researcher has not collected as many materials as expected Therefore, some issues such as the textual and pragmatic equivalence in
The researcher has a keen interest in the field of Dental Tourism, which uniquely combines dental treatments with travel Despite the lack of comprehensive dental texts, this area presents significant opportunities for exploration and study.
Here below are the researcher’s suggestions for further study which will be of great intest and use for anyone concerning the translation of Dental terminology:
- A study on the pragmatic use of Dental treatment context
- A study on the grammatical features of Dental terminology
- A study on Dental tourism field (the combination of dental terms and tourism terms)
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Charline M Dofka's "Dental Terminology" (2012) provides essential insights into dental vocabulary and practices, while Creswell and Plano Clark's "Designing and Conducting Mixed Methods Research" (2001) offers a comprehensive guide on integrating qualitative and quantitative research approaches Additionally, Denzin and Lincoln's "Handbook of Qualitative Research" (1994) serves as a foundational resource for understanding qualitative research methodologies Together, these works contribute significantly to the fields of dental education and research methodologies.
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Adrenalin a-đờ-rê-na-lin
Alabaster thạch cao al-ba-trơ
Alginate al-gi-nat (chất lấy dấu)
Amalgam a-mal-gam (chất hàn)
Anti-histamine chất kháng his-ta-min
Corticoid cooc-ti-cô-it
Kennedy’s classification : phân loại Kennedy (phân loại mất răng) Angle’s classification : phân loại Angle (phân loại khớp cắn)
Gonion : điểm góc hàm dưới Gôn-hông
Frankfort plane : mặt phẳng nằm ngang Frankfort
Hutchinson triad : tam chứng Hutchinson
Ivy loop wiring : buộc vòng Ivy / nút buộc Ivy
Buccal sheft : thềm (của xương hàm dưới) phía má Rubber dam clamp : cặp đê cao su (đểđiều trị tủy)
Frankfort mandibular incisor angle : góc răng dưới mặt phẳng Frankfort
Steel’s facet : mặt răng giả lùa
APPENDIX 3: Descriptive equivalence procedure for single terms
English terms Vietnamese descriptive equivalents
Cartridge Ca-trít (ngăn cách các răng để hàn)
Interocclusal Khoảng hở sinh lý (giữa hai hàm)
Crown (1) thân răng (răng thật); (2) mão, chụp, mão thay thế (răng giả)
Rest Sự nghỉ (của hai hàm) Khi hàm không làm gì cả (không nhai, ko nói, ko vận động) thì hàm được gọi là ở tư thế nghỉ
Trật khớp hàm xảy ra khi hai hàm bị lệch vị trí, thường do chấn thương hoặc tự gây ra chấn thương, chẳng hạn như khi ngáp.
Alveoclasia là tình trạng tiêu hủy ổ răng, thực chất là tiêu xương ổ răng khi cơ thể không đủ khả năng bù canxi để phát triển xương Tình trạng này thường xảy ra với răng sữa, khi chân răng tự tiêu hủy do sự mọc lên của răng khôn Anaraxia, hay còn gọi là tật răng không chạm nhau, được biết đến như khớp cắn hở.
Ankylocheilia Tật dính môi Còn gọi là phanh môi bám thấp
Ankyloglossia Tật dính lưỡi Còn gọi là phanh lưỡi bám thấp
Cone Côn, nón, chóp Thực chất là ống tủy nhân tạo
Cretinism Chứng độn Còn gọi là đệm nền hàm
Endolith Sỏi tủy răng Còn gọi là canxi ống tủy
Hai hàm của con người hoạt động một cách tự nhiên và nhịp nhàng trong các hoạt động như nhai, nuốt, nói và nghiến Để đạt được sự thành công trong điều trị nha khoa, kết quả cuối cùng cần đảm bảo sự tiện lợi và thuận lợi cho cả hai hàm.
Bite wing film Phim cắn cánh Còn gọi là phim X-quang răng
Idiopathic erosion Tiêu thân răng hình nêm Còn gọi là mòn cổ răng Posterior palatal seal Đê khẩu cái sau Để làm hàm tháo lắp
English terms Synonyms Vietnamese meanings
Buccal Cheeky / cheek thuộc má
Cast Mould / mold / impression khuôn đúc
Bud Overlap mầm (răng) cắn phủ
APPENDIX 5: Paraphrasing independent root words English terms Translation by paraphrasing Vietnamese meanings
Mandibular Lower jaw : hàm dưới
Pulp Bone marrow : tủy xương
Maxillary Upper jaw : hàm trên
Dentate With teeth : có răng
Edentate Lose teeth : mất răng
Eyelet Attachment : mắc cài (trong chỉnh nha)
Flange False gum / artificial gum : lợi / nướu giả
Canine Eye tooth : răng nanh
Cacosmia Trouble with badly smelled breath : chứng hôi miệng
Cervix Tooth neck : cổ răng
Clearance Space between the two jaws : khoảng hở giữa hai hàm
Cavity Tooth hole : lỗ răng / lỗ trám
APPENDIX 6: Paraphrasing roots as combining forms Root word Combo form Paraphrased into Meanings alveolar alveo- alveolus ổ răng apical apic- / apico- apex of a root chóp răng axis ax- / axo- axis / midline trục giữa buccal bucc- / bucco- cheek thuộc má cheilo cheil- / cheilo- lip thuộc môi coronal coron- / coro crown mão / chụp dens dent- / dento- tooth thuộc răng distal dist- / disto- farthest from the center xa trung tâm enamel ename- / enamo- amel- / amelo- enamel tissue mô men răng fluoride fluor- / fluo- fluoride (chemical) chất flo frenum frene- frenum dây chằng / giằng front front- / fronto- forehead trước gingiva gingiv- / gingivo- gingiva / gum thuộc lợi/nướu glossa gloss- / glosso- / glossa- tongue thuộc lưỡi gnatho gnath- / gnatho- jaw, cheek thuộc hàm, má incisor incis- / inciso- incisor tooth thuộc răng cửa labia labi- / labio- lip area vùng quanh môi lingua lingu- / linguo- tongue thuộc lưỡi mandible mandibu- / mandiba- lower jaw thuộc hàm dưới
The maxilla, or upper jaw, is a key component of the oral structure, situated at the midplane and closely associated with the mucosa, the tissue lining the orifices of the mouth It plays a crucial role in occlusion, which refers to the alignment and closure of the jaws The term "odont" pertains to teeth, highlighting the importance of dental health in relation to the maxilla Additionally, "orthos" signifies the need for proper alignment, while "stoma" relates to the mouth itself Lastly, the temporal bone, referred to as "tempor," is an important anatomical structure that supports the overall functionality of the jaw and surrounding areas.
APPENDIX 7: Paraphrasing prefixed-added terms
* Prefixes denoting quantity or number:
Prefixes Translation by paraphrasing Prefixes’ meanings a- /an- Without : không / vô
Eg: abacterial (vô khuẩn) uni- One : một / đơn
Eg: unilateral (một bên) bi- Two / double : hai / đôi
Eg: bifid (hai nhánh); bifurcation (chẻ đôi) tri- Three : nhân ba / ba nhánh
Eg: trigeminal (cấu trúc ba phần) hemi- / semi- Half : một nửa / bán phần
Eg: hemisection (nửa phần); semicoma (hôn mê bán phần) poly- Many : nhiều
Eg: polymerization (sự trùng hợp trong hóa học) mono- One : một / đơn
Eg: monomer (đơn phân) quad- / quat- Four : bốn, một phần bốn
* Prefixes denoting size or degree: hyper- Over / excess : quá / vượt quá
Eg: hypersalivation (sự tiết nước bọt quá mức) hypo- Under / below : dưới
Eg: hypocalcification (giảm vôi hóa – vôi hóa dưới mức cho phép) macro- / mega- Large : to / lớn
Eg: macrodontism = megadontism (tật răng to) micro- Small / minute : nhỏ
Eg: microdontia (tật răng nhỏ) pan- All around : xung quanh / vòng quanh
Eg: X-ray panorama (chụp toàn sọ) ultra- Extreme / beyond : siêu / vi
* Prefixes denoting location or direction: ab- Away from : bỏ / vứt
Eg: ablation (cắt bỏ, lấy bỏ) ante- In front of : trước
Eg: anteocclusion (cắn khớp trước) de- Down from : giảm
Eg: decalcification (sự giảm canxi / mất canxi); dehydration (sự mất nước) ecto- Outside : ngoài / lệch
Eg: ectopia (sự lệch vị trí / sai chỗ) endo- Within : trong / nội
Eg: endodontia (nội nha) infra- Below : dưới
Eg: infraclusion (khớp cắn dưới mức)
XI inter- In midst of : giữa / tiếp giáp
Eg: interproximal (ở giữa, ở kẽ) perio- Around : quanh, xung quanh
Eg: periodontium (mô nha chu) post- After / later : sau
Eg: posterior (phía sau) pre- Before : trước
Eg: premaxilla (tiền hàm) retro- Behind / back : phía sau
Eg: retroalveolar (tật lùi ổ răng) sub- Under / lesser : dưới mức/nhẹ hơn/ít hơn
Eg: sublingual (dưới lưỡi); subluxation (sai khớp nhẹ) supra- Above / over : quá (mức)
Eg: supraversion (lệch quá mức); supragrathia (hàm cao quá mức) trans- Through : thông qua/xuyên qua
Eg: translation (sự tịnh tiến, chuyển vị); transplant (vật chuyển ghép)
* Prefixes denoting condition: anti- Opposite to : kháng
Eg: anticarious (chống sâu răng) a- / an- Without : không / vô
Eg: aberrant (sai lạc, không đúng vị trí) contra- Against : kháng / phản
Eg: contra-indication (phản chỉ định, chống chỉ định) dis- Take away : xa
Eg: distoclusion (khớp cắn lệch xa): dislocation (sự trật khớp) mal- Bad : sai / lệch
Eg: malrelationship (sai tương quan); malalignment (sai hàng) pachy- Thick : dày
Eg: pachyderma (dày da) sclero- Hard : cứng
Eg: sclerosis (chứng xơ hóa, hóa cứng); scleroderma (bệnh cứng bì) un- Not / non : không / vô / mất
Eg: unbalance (mất thăng bằng)
APPENDIX 8: Paraphrasing suffixes-added terms
Suffixes Translation by paraphrasing Suffixes’ meanings
Eg: periodontitis (viêm nha chu); stomatitis (viêm miệng)
-ium germ : mầm, vi trùng
Eg: lipoma (u mỡ); osteoma (u xương); odontoma (u răng)
Eg: myopathy (bệnh phá hủy cơ)
* Suffixes denoting agent or person concerned
Suffixes English terms Vietnamese meanings
-ee Trainee Người được huấn luyện
-ent Patient Bệnh nhân (người bệnh)
-eon Surgeon Bác sĩ phẫu thuật
-er Practitioner Người đang làm nghề y
-ician Physician Bác sĩ nội khoa (không phẫu thuật)
Orthodontist Bác sĩ chỉnh nha
-or Doctor Bác sĩ, Tiến sĩ
APPENDIX 9: Paraphrasing other suffix-added terms English terms Vietnamese meaning Paraphrased terms
Odontalgia Sự đau răng Pain in tooth / teeth
Vaccinate Tiêm vac-cin To inject with vaccine
Germicide Chất sát trùng The substance that kills germs / bacteria
Osteocyte Tế bào xương Bone cells
Apicoectomy Thủ thuật cắt chóp Cut the peak of …
Prognosis Tiên lượng, chẩn đoán Diagnosis
Biology Môn sinh học A subject that studies creatures
Biopsy Sinh thiết A kind of experiment to diagnose a tumor trouble
Gingivalplasty Phẫu thuật chỉnh sửa lợi Surgery to repair gingiva / gum Osteotrophy Sự phát triển xương Bone development
Baked porcelain : sứ nướng nha khoa
Beveled instrument : dụng cụ vát hai mặt
Intruded gum : lợi bị thụt
Inverted cone bur : mũi khoan chóp ngược
Gliding movement : vận động trượt hàm
Working cast : mẫu sử dụng
Polishing brush : bàn chải bóng răng
Buckling growth : sự mọc chen chúc
Apical cyst : u nang chóp răng
Eruptive cyst : u nang mọc răng
Duplication denture : hàm sao chép
Bruxism habit : thói quen nghiến răng
Habit reminder : khí cụ sửa thói quen
Ridge relation : tương quan sống hàm
Pulp necrosis : hoại tử tủy
Rest bite : tư thế nghỉ sinh lý