INTERPRETATION | INTERPRETATION VS TRANSLATION

Interpretation

Interpreter is one who translates speech orally.

Interpreting can be of various types. Examples include – escort interpreting – where an interpreter accompanies people who cannot speak each other’s language and orally translates what is being said, back and forth. For this, an interpreter must be fluent in both languages, must have good communication skills, good vocabulary, presence of mind so that the right interpretation can be made, spontaneity as there is no time to delay since it is an ongoing conversation, good transfer skills so that the sentence can be framed in both languages smoothly and good ‘people skills’ as it involves getting on well with clients.

Another type of interpreting is ‘chuchotage’ (French work that is pronounced as ‘shoe-show-taj) which means whispered interpreting. The translated version of what is being said is conveyed in the ears of the client.

Difference between interpretation and translation:

The main difference is that interpretation deals with spoken language in real-time, while translation deals with written language over a period of time.

Interpreters need to be fluent in both languages and convey the meaning and tone of the speaker. 

Translators need to be accurate and consistent with the source text and the target language.

Some other differences are:

• Interpretation can be done in person, over the phone, or via video. Translation can be done online or offline.
• Interpretation requires more flexibility and cultural awareness. Translation requires more research and editing skills.
• Interpretation is usually more expensive and time-sensitive than translation.

QUALITIES OF A GOOD TRANSLATOR

The following are the qualities required of a good translator:

Command over both the source and target languages in terms of vocabulary, grammar rules, spellings, punctuation, sentence structure, tenses and figures of speech. This will help establish equivalence in the translation.

In depth knowledge of both the cultures (source and target language cultures) so that the translator can understand what the author of the source text meant by each sentence and the right context can be maintained in the final piece.

Knowledge of the subject on which the original text is based. For e.g., if a translator is translating a legal document from one language to another, he / she must have a thorough understanding of all the legal terminology involved in that piece.

An eye for detail and accuracy.

Consistency over time and across pieces of text.

Excellent writing skills.

Proficiency in the use of computerized translation techniques and software.

High level of professionalism.

High level of motivation and eagerness to learn more.

Impartiality – must not allow personal bias towards a particular language, content being translated, come in the way of translation process.

Speed – is an important professional skill that a translator must possess. The factors that control a translator’s translation speed are: typing speed, level of difficulty of text being translated, familiarity with the language, personal preferences or style of translator, etc.

Confidentiality and non disclosure – are important especially when translating documents that are sensitive in nature such as a legal Will or documents pertaining to a country’s national security.

Patience – is important as translation is a tedious process that requires long hours of concentration. A short attention span or impatience will not get the job done.

Ability to adhere to deadlines.

TRANSLATION CONCEPT

Translation is the process of re-stating any written text in another language. 

As a subject, translation is linked to literature, history, linguistics, anthropology, psychology, etc.

Translation involves two key process – reading and writing, as the translator has to read the source text and write the target text. The translator must also be well-read in both the languages and must constantly update him/herself with new words, phrases, books that will enable quick and smooth translation.

Language is a code. A code is a system of communication that is made up of different symbols. For example, the English language is a code. The English alphabet has 26 letters, each letter is a symbol.

The Oxford dictionary defines Translation as ‘the process of translating words or text from one language into another’.

Source text: The text that has to be translated.

Source language: The language in which the source text is written.

Target language: The language into which the source text is to be translated.

Target text: The text after it has been translated.

Syntax: Study of rules of how to arrange words in a sentence for the sentence to make sense.

Semantics: Study of meaning in language. It is selecting the right word to imply the right meaning.

Interpreting versus Translation: Interpreter is one who translates speech orally and translator deals with written text. A type of interpreting is ‘chuchotage’ which means whispered interpreting when what is being said is conveyed in the ears of the client and not aloud.

Transcription: To make a written copy of something that is being dictated.

Transliteration: Spelling of the words from one language with characters from the alphabet of another language e.g., Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham

चाय – Tea (translation)

चाय – Chai (transliteration)

Transference: Some source text words are picked up and ‘transferred’ to the target text. They are appropriate from a cultural point of view and the word is called a ‘loan’ word. E.g., Nawab is used in English texts although it is not an English word.

Transcreation: The source text is not only translated to the target text but is also ‘creatively adapted’ to suit the needs of the target audience. For e.g. when advertisements are translated changing the language of the words in to enough but certain creativity is required to relate to the cultural background too.

Subtitling: is the process of creating textual versions of the content in television programs, films, OTT Platforms, etc. Subtitles are usually written at the bottom of the screen. Same language subtitles are beneficial for hearing impaired viewers or for people who are familiar with the language but not the accent. Different language subtitles are beneficial for viewers who do not understand the language in which the people on screen are conversing.

Dubbing: is the process of substituting the lip movements of the person speaking on screen with a new language. Dubbing in films, on television and OTT platforms helps bridge the language gap between audiences and increases the outreach of the film makers and other media professionals.

Back translation: This refers to the translation of an already translated text into the language in which it was originally written. This is done without referring to the original text.

Semiotic transfer: Use of signs and symbols to communicate.

Copying: The information received is reproduced as it is and the code is not changed at all.

Transcribing: Information received is put into a code from its earlier codeless form.

CULTIVATION THEORY

CULTIVATION THEORY was propagated by George Gerbner.

According to him ‘television audiences (unlike those of other media) view largely non selectively and by the clock rather by the program. Television viewing is a ritual, almost like a religion, except that it is attended to more regularly’. This view of the audience is that of the heavy viewer defined by Gerbner as one who watches TV for more than four hours a day. Thus TV is the media tool most relied upon by such an audience to get their information from.  

 

The study showed that events and characters shown on TV were significantly at variance with real people and actual situations. For e.g. criminals, doctors and the police were glamorized in TV serials while in real life they hardly get any publicity. Not only that, TV has perpetuated stereotyped images of women as always young, beautiful and docile while men are shown as young, macho and assertive. Parents are usually depicted as old, tradition-bound and dependent, physically, financially and emotionally. (This type of analysis did not explain everything, but stimulated the team to probe further and find the answer to the question as to how the audience reacted to the content served to them by TV.) 

 

The main point of the theory is that people who are addicted to television adapt their lives to the value systems and views that are brought to them by this media tool. For e.g. couch potatoes watching comedy shows most of the time believe that life is hunky dory and those who watch programs in which there is a predominance of violence think the world is essentially violent. In short the theory says that those who watch TV extensively cultivate a worldview fashioned by the programs they view. 

 

Gerber said that American households had become so influenced by TV that they accepted whatever it conveyed to them without any questioning. The audiences, especially those who watched television heavily, did not suspect that the picture of society that TV showed was not based on facts and what it called social reality hardly matched the actuality that characterized the prevailing societal setup. He argued that this world view, perpetuated by television usually through soap operas, if allowed to persist would create a parallel social setup which had its own rules and value system and its own adherents. He said as television was a cultural tool it was expected to promote enculturation by stabilizing what was already there and not by introducing change. 

According to Gerbner there are three types of viewers – heavy, medium and light – they are categorized on the basis of time they devote to TV watching every day. 

 

Gerbner asked four questions to the respondents comprising of heavy and light viewers.  

1. Were they ever involved in violence? 

2. How many people did they think worked in the government security agencies? 

3. What was the percentage of violent crimes? 

4. Was murder more common among strangers or among people who were known to one another? 

 

The questions were put to two sample groups, adults and adolescents. Their answers revealed that heavy watchers exaggerated the presence of violence in society. 

 

The theory argued that not only did extensive exposure to television result in exaggerating one’s idea of violence in society, it also made a viewer see himself as a potential victim of crime and violence. Creating a world of one’s own, which is closely modeled on the fictional one of television, is going to affect a person’s response to perceived danger. Gerbner's team obtained responses which showed that watching TV was likely to make the watcher afraid of violence which could involve his own person. 

ERA OF MASS SOCIETY | MASS SOCIETY THEORY

ERA OF MASS SOCIETY AND MASS CULTURE 

 

These ideas developed in the latter half of the 19th century as new media technologies were invented and popularized. Although some theories were optimistic about new technology most were extremely pessimistic. They blamed new industrial technology for disrupting peaceful rural communities and forcing people to live in urban areas to serve as a convenient work force in large factories, mines or bureaucracies. Theorists were fearful of cities because of their crime, cultural diversity and unstable political systems. 

 

For many social thinkers, mass media symbolized everything that was wrong with 19th century urban life. Media were singled out for criticism and charged with interfering with lower class tastes, causing political unrest, violating important cultural norms.  

 

MASS SOCIETY THEORY 

 

This theory (the first of its kind) was based on the belief that man lives in a society, which is his identity, and thus the media do not affect individuals but social formations, which are comprised of masses. This idea was facilitated by the availability of such mass media as newspapers, magazines, radio and movies on a massive scale. As more and more people availed themselves of these media facilities the idea of a mass society was born. 

 

The theorists believed that the media had corrupting influences on average people. To them ‘average’ people were those who did not have superior tastes. They believed that the media functioned like a ‘magic bullet’ or a ‘hypodermic needle’ – both penetrate a human being’s personality and leave their effects deep down inside. Baran calls this theory a ‘grand theory’. 

 

Not all people considered the effect of media bad. Most people remained stoic as they were not swayed by the fare media offered. They made careful selection and instead of being corrupted were enlightened by media. 

 

The essential argument of mass society theory is that media undermines the traditional social order. To cope with this disruption, steps must be take to either restore the old order or institute a new one.  

 

Media has an influence and the influence is negative. The negative impact of the Industrial Revolution was the division of society on the basis of class. People thought that media was for the elite. With the printing press, people wanted to learn about different media. Elite were educated and informed and they did not want the people in the lower strata to be educated because if they were, they would refuse to be treated like dust.