Are Translators Traitors? A Philosophical Perspective of Loss and Gain in Translation

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Magugu V. Njeru
Magugu V. Njeru
α Moi University

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Are Translators Traitors? A Philosophical Perspective of Loss and Gain in Translation

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Abstract

Translators act as a key bridge that enables cross-cultural communication more so in multilingual contexts as is the case in Kenya. Among the challenges facing the process of translation is the rendering of meanings conceived in the source text as closely as possible in the translated text. This process is complex and has made some scholars to regard translation as an impossible exploit since it can never be totally equivalent to the original. Translators have been labeled “traitors” since even the best of their efforts can never bring out the intended meaning in the original text as was conceptualized by the author. This paper seeks to provide a philosophical understanding on the aspect of loss and gain in translation. It seeks to underpin the complexity of the “word” and hence the meaning rendered by these words. Using Nord’s conceptualization of translation as a purposeful activity, we seek to analyze functionally the translation of “The Beasts of England” in Animal Farm from English to Kiswahili -Shamba la Wanyama.

References

16 Cites in Article
  1. A As-Safi (2006). Loss and Gain & Translation Strategies with reference to the Translation of the Glorious Qur.
  2. Susan Bassnett (2014). Variations on Translation.
  3. A Companion to Translation Studies.
  4. B Hatim,J Mason (1990). Discourse and the Translator.
  5. B Hatim,J Munday (2004). Translation: An advanced Resourse Book.
  6. Andre Lefevere (1992). Translation, Rewriting, and the Manipulation of Literary Fame.
  7. K Malmkjaer (2012). Language, philosophy and Translation.
  8. J Munday (2008). Introducing Translation Studies: Theories and Applications.
  9. P Newmark (1988). A Textbook of Translation.
  10. Eugene Nida,Charles Taber (1969). The Theory and Practice of Translation.
  11. C Nord (1997). Translation as a Purposeful Activity.
  12. D Nozizwe,B Ncube (2014). Loss and Gain in Translation: A case of Court Translations.
  13. K Reiss,H Vermeer (1994). Towards a General Theory of Translational Action.
  14. T Van Djik (1977). Text &Context: Explorations in the Semantics &Pragmatics of Discourse.
  15. J Young (2014). Philosophy in Translation.
  16. Gregary Racz (2016). <i>A Companion to Translation Studies</i>. Edited by Sandra Bermann and Catherine Porter.

Funding

No external funding was declared for this work.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Ethical Approval

No ethics committee approval was required for this article type.

Data Availability

Not applicable for this article.

How to Cite This Article

Magugu V. Njeru. 2015. \u201cAre Translators Traitors? A Philosophical Perspective of Loss and Gain in Translation\u201d. Global Journal of Human-Social Science - G: Linguistics & Education GJHSS-G Volume 15 (GJHSS Volume 15 Issue G8): .

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Issue Cover
GJHSS Volume 15 Issue G8
Pg. 21- 25
Journal Specifications

Crossref Journal DOI 10.17406/GJHSS

Print ISSN 0975-587X

e-ISSN 2249-460X

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GJHSS-G Classification: FOR Code: 380299
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v1.2

Issue date

September 2, 2015

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Translators act as a key bridge that enables cross-cultural communication more so in multilingual contexts as is the case in Kenya. Among the challenges facing the process of translation is the rendering of meanings conceived in the source text as closely as possible in the translated text. This process is complex and has made some scholars to regard translation as an impossible exploit since it can never be totally equivalent to the original. Translators have been labeled “traitors” since even the best of their efforts can never bring out the intended meaning in the original text as was conceptualized by the author. This paper seeks to provide a philosophical understanding on the aspect of loss and gain in translation. It seeks to underpin the complexity of the “word” and hence the meaning rendered by these words. Using Nord’s conceptualization of translation as a purposeful activity, we seek to analyze functionally the translation of “The Beasts of England” in Animal Farm from English to Kiswahili -Shamba la Wanyama.

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Are Translators Traitors? A Philosophical Perspective of Loss and Gain in Translation

Magugu V. Njeru
Magugu V. Njeru Moi University

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