Equivalence in scientific and technical translation : a text-in-context-based study

Krein-Kuhle, M

Abstract

Scientific and technical translation has always played a pivotal role in disseminating
knowledge. Today, the domain of science and technology is the main area of
translation work. Nevertheless, there is still a discrepancy between the growing need
for high-quality technical translations and the short supply of competent technical
translators to produce them, a situation which may be due in part to the recent
neglect of the equivalence concept in the theoretical/descriptive and applied branches
of translation studies (TS).
This thesis sets out to redefine, reassess, and reinstate equivalence as a useflul concept
in TS by adopting an approach based on the English-German language pair and on
one specific text genre and type. The investigation of equivalence as a qualitative
complete-text-in-context-based concept is embedded in an equivalence-relevant
methodology based on two methodological pillars, the first being a theoretically
sound translation comparison and the second a highly refined translation corpus.
Within this methodological framework, equivalence-relevant features are investigated
and described at the syntactic, lexical-semantic, terminological-phraseological and
overall textual levels. These levels are hierarchically interrelated in descending and
ascending order and may be conditioned by pragmatic aspects, viz., domain
knowledge and register considerations. The comparison is made using a high-quality
corpus selected on the basis of a threefold set of selection criteria, with a special
emphasis on the qualitative criteria. This helps us generate well-underpinned
intersubjectifiable regularities in the form of potential equivalents established in the
TT for ST equivalence-relevant features and enables us to obtain meaningful
generalizations.
Both regularities and generalizations should be capable of implementation in the
applied branches of TS and, at the same time, help dynamize and intersubjectify the
complex concept of equivalence. So, hopefully, this thesis will also contribute toward
creating a link between the methodological, theoretical/descriptive and applied
branches of TS to their mutual benefit.

Citation

Krein-Kuhle, M. Equivalence in scientific and technical translation : a text-in-context-based study. (Thesis). University of Salford

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Aug 1, 2011
• Publicly Available Date: Aug 1, 2011
• Award Date: Jan 1, 2003