Tamara I. Leontieva Lectures on Translation Theory Department of Cross-cultural Communication and Translation Study

Tamara I.Leontieva Lectures on Translation Theory

• Department of Cross-cultural Communication and Translation Study

• Foreign Languages Center

• Vladivostok State University of Economics

• 2008

SPEECH FUNCTIONS AND TRANSLATION

• Theory and Practice

Language Functions

• Communicative

Karl Buhler (Austrian linguist)

• 1. Expressive function

• 2. Appealing (focusing on the receptor)

• 3. Referential (representing objects and phenomena)

Yuri Stepanov (semiotic principle)

• 1. Nominative function

• 2. Syntactic function

• 3. Pragmatic function

Language vs Speech Functions

• Language Functions

• a) Are universal and constant

• b) Are realized through speech

Speech Functions (according to Roman Jakobson)

• 1. Referential (informative)

• 2. Expressive (emotive)

• 3. Conative (voluntative)

• 4. Phatic (contact-making)

• 5. Poetic (aesthetic)

• 6. Metalingual (describing language)

M.A.C. Halliday

• Following M.A.C.Halliday, translation theorists added one more speech function to the list, it is interpersonal function which

• a) implies the speaker’s intervention in the use of language and

• b) the expression of attitude.

Interpersonal Function and Modality in Translation

• Objective modality

• 1) category of mood [particles, adverbs: hardly, scarcely and the like]

• 2) Assertion or denial of facts [categorical character of Russian speech]

Expressive Function in Translation

• 1. Emotive semes: «You, old fool», said Mrs. Meade tenderly.

• 2. Expressive semes (intensifiers):

• a) They attacked him violently (physical assault). They violently attacked him (verbal assault).

• b) He’s kind of clever - Он вроде умный (infl. AmE). To be continued.

Expressive Function in Translation - 2

• c) У меня скорее лапы отсохнут, чем я прикоснусь к чужому … I’d rather have my paws wither and fall off than touch what belongs to someone else [special syntactic constructions].

• d) Similes, metaphors: Don’t dirty your hands with that money. Весна уже на пороге - Spring is coming very soon.

Expressive Function in Translation - 3

• 3. Appreciative semes (approval, disapproval): What a man!

• a) Какой человек!

• b) Ну и тип!

• Ванечка, подожди минуту!

• Vanya! Wait a minute [Lost form of diminution].

Expressive Function in Translation - 4

• 4. Stylistic semes (lower or elevate the tone of speech): K.Chukovsky’s famous example: Светловолосая дева, чего ты дрожишь?

• a) Рыжая девка, чего ты трясешься?

• b) He commenced to scratch his back.

• c) Мамаша, что вы мелете?

Expressive Function in Translation - 5

• 5. Pragmatic semes: They arouse the communicants’ particular background associations:

• a) Союз нерушимый … Stars and Stripes, Star-Spangled Banner, Old Glory;

• b) Different symbolic associations (The Moon for an Uzbek is a girl’s beautiful face. For A. Pushkin: Кругла, бледна лицом она, как эта глупая луна).

Phatic Function in Translation (calling somebody’s attention, greetings, interruptions, vocatives, small talk, etc.)

• a) Phrases for calling attention and asking to repeat::

• Excuse me – Простите, девушка, вы не скажете…

• AmE: I beg your pardon / Pardon.

• To be continued

Phatic Function in Translation (calling somebody’s attention, greetings, interruptions, vocatives, small talk, etc.)

• b) Forms of address: Mr., Mrs., Miss, Ms. – the latter is for a female who does not want others to know if she is married or not. Tr.: Mrs. Mary Brown – Mrs. John Brown (г-жа Браун, супруга Джона Брауна). “Miss” is becoming rare. Position or vocation: Mr. President, Ms.Chairperson, Officer, Doctor Brown – д-р Браун (an Am. Professor).

Conative Function in Translation (commands, prohibitions, requests, permissions, advice, invitations, etc.)

• 1. A translator should be aware of the differences in expressing requests: May I introduce my wife to you? In Russian it is imperative: Разрешите представить вам мою жену.

• 2. Imperatives in English are accompan -ied with “please”: Give me a call, please. To be continued.

Conative Function in Translation (commands, prohibitions, requests, permissions, advice, invitations, etc.)

• 3. Conative function may signal s/th different: У вас есть часы? – What time is it now?

• 4. Utterances with performative verbs: I inform you, I congratulate you.

Home assignments:

• 1. Read Proshina’s book of Theory of Translation, 1999. - Pp. 200-217.

• 2. Enlarge on the examples basing on the English or American literature you are reading.

• 3. Prepare 2-3 interesting questions on the material covered for the seminar.