Translation quality assessment : an application of a rhetorical model

Barghout, MAM

Abstract

Translation quality assessment is a fast growing sub-field of
Translation Studies. It focuses on the inter-relationships between the
text translated from (ST) and the text translated into (TT). These
inter-relationships involve the lexis, grammar, syntax, and semantics
of both texts. Unlike sentences in isolation, texts are context-bound.
Distinctions between text and sentence are made. Text-bound
translation can only be conducted and assessed within the domain of
text-linguistics.
Assessment of translation quality should be based on a definable,
applicable, and testable model which, in turn, should be based on a
sound, comprehensive theory of translation. Current models for
translation emphasite one aspect against other aspects. For instance,
the grammatical model focuses on the linguistic aspect of translation.
The cultural model, on the other hand, highlights the communicative
aspect whereas the interpretive model concentrates on the pragmatic
aspect of translation. Such artificial compartmentalization is alien
to the nature of translation. As a process translation, in fact,
involves the integrated synthesis of the above aspects.
This theris presents a model for translation quality assessment
based on a sound theory of translation which comprehends the
philosophical (pragmatic), communicative (cross-cultural), and semiotic
(linguistic) aspects of langauge. Since translation is a semantic entity, our model - which we label 'rhetorical' - focuses on the
concept of 'meaning shifts' according to which the meaning of a text is
classifiable into obligatory, extended, and accessory meanings. This
does not suggest that the semantic structures of a text exist in a
state of utter un-relatedness. On the contrary, they survive in the
form of inter-related layers within the macro-structure of the text.
The relative dominance of any of the three meaning categories
determines the type of text.
According to this model, texts are broadly classified into
literary, non-literary, and hybrid texts. In a literary text, extended
and accessory meanings abound leaving a tiny room for obligatory
meaning. In non-literary texts, on the other hand, extended and
accessory meanings recede to the background leaving the obligatory
meaning in the foreground. In hybrid or fuzzy texts, semantic
structures are disproportionately distributed with no dominance of any
specific category. The topic and scope of a hybrid text determine the
volume of extended and accessory meaning in relation to obligatory
meaning.
The model is not intended for translation quality assessment only.
It has pedagogical implications as well. Translation students and
trainees can implement this model in textual analysis before they
embark on the process of translation. Phonological, grammatical,
syntactic, semantic, and lexical correspondences between SL and TL texts are identified before assessment of translation quality is
established.

Citation

Barghout, M. Translation quality assessment : an application of a rhetorical model. (Thesis). University of Salford, UK

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Jun 16, 2009
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 16, 2009
• Additional Information: Additional Information : PhD supervisor: Dr. Y. N. Awad
• Award Date: Jan 1, 1990