Explicitation in translation, Part 1

TL;DR

Explicitation, the process of making information more explicit in the target language, is considered a universal of translation.

Transcript

explicitation is one of what we meant earlier as the proposed universals of translation the things that happen in language processing that are supposed to happen in translation and not in other kinds of activity okay and i presented them as as they are here lexical simplification or less variation the fact that a body of translations will have fewe... Read More

Key Insights

• 💁 Explicitation is one of the proposed universals of translation, focusing on the process of making implicit information explicit in the target language.
• 🖐️ The Tel Aviv School in the 1980s played a significant role in the development of the concept of universals in translation.
• 😒 Translations often exhibit lexical simplification, adaptation to the target culture, and a tendency to avoid extremes of language use.
• ℹ️ Explicitation is not simply providing explanations or additional details but involves making implicit information in the source text more explicit.
• 👨‍🔬 Confirming the explicitation hypothesis through empirical research challenges the notion of translation as strictly reproducing what is in the source text.
• 🤮 The existence of implicitation, where translators omit certain information deemed extraneous, complicates the notion of explicitation as a universal.
• 🍉 The term "universal" should be used cautiously, as it implies a phenomenon present in all translations, which may not always be the case.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is explicitation in translation?

Explicitation refers to the process of making implicit information in the source language text more explicit in the target language. It involves adding cohesive markers, providing more details, and ensuring clarity.

Q: Why do translators tend to adapt translations to the target culture?

Translators often adapt translations to the target culture to ensure that the text resonates with the target audience. This may involve using cultural references that are familiar to the target culture and making adjustments to idiomatic expressions.

Q: How does explicitation relate to lexical simplification?

Explicitation includes lexical simplification, where a body of translations tends to have fewer different words compared to non-translations. This simplification aims to enhance clarity and readability in the target language.

Q: Why do translations avoid extremes of language use?

According to Schlesinger's equalizing hypothesis, translations tend to avoid extremes of language use to maintain a balanced and middle-ground approach. Translators typically opt for a more neutral or moderate writing style to cater to a wider audience.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Explicitation is one of the proposed universals of translation, referring to the process of making implicit information explicit in the target language text.

• It involves lexical simplification, adaptation to the target culture, and the tendency to avoid extremes of language use.

• The Tel Aviv School in the 1980s played a significant role in the development of the concept of universals in translation.