{"id":154,"date":"2014-01-21T14:13:00","date_gmt":"2014-01-21T19:13:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ata-divisions.org\/JLD\/wp\/2014\/01\/21\/translating-figures-of-speech-in-japanese-documents\/"},"modified":"2014-01-21T14:13:00","modified_gmt":"2014-01-21T19:13:00","slug":"translating-figures-of-speech-in-japanese-documents","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ata-divisions.org\/JLD\/2014\/01\/21\/translating-figures-of-speech-in-japanese-documents\/","title":{"rendered":"Translating Figures of Speech in Japanese Documents"},"content":{"rendered":"
Professor and Director, Technical Japanese Program<\/o:p><\/div>\n
Dept. of Engineering Professional Development, University of Wisconsin-Madison<\/o:p><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
2013 ATA Conference, San Antonio TX<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n
November 9, 2013<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Why are figures of speech used in languages? To convey particular messages in particular ways.<\/o:p><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Generally speaking, the basic principle of translation is that the target text should make the same impact (emotional, etc., as well as factual) on its readers as the source text did on its.<\/o:p><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
To carry this out when metaphors occur in the source text, the translator needs to generate many alternative translations and then choose the best one depending on constraints such as the context surrounding the metaphor in the source and the desired impact on the reader.<\/o:p><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
These alternatives can be arranged on a matrix with a number of axes. For example, similar vs. different meaning<\/i> and similar vs. different form<\/i>:<\/o:p><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
Similar meaning<\/o:p><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
Similar form<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
Different form<\/o:p><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
Different meaning<\/o:p><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
<\/div>\n
This matrix can be considered as a tool to be used for generating a number of alternative translations. Once you have them, you can use the constraints of the context, the impact on the reader that is needed, etc.<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Other axes (think of them as additional dimensions to these two: 3rd, 4th, etc.):<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n
Paraphrase vs. describe: rather than trying to find a target language metaphor parallel to the source language metaphor, paraphrase the meaning or describe what the writer was talking about <\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n
Exotic vs. familiar: use target language which is relatively close to the source and therefore \u201cexotic\u201d to the reader of the translation, or language more familiar to the reader of the translation<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n
Detailed vs. concise: use longer phrases to include details, or more concise ones<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Still other dimensionss may involve style, register, tone, rhythm, and rhyme, etc.<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Examples:<\/o:p><\/span><\/b><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
1. <\/span>\u7adc\u982d<\/span>\u86c7\u5c3e<\/span><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Similar meaning and form:      <\/span>\u201cHead of a dragon and tail of a snake\u201d  <\/span>                    <\/span>(Exotic)<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n
Similar meaning but different form: <\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n
                                                <\/span>\u201cStart with a bang and end with a whimper\u201d              <\/span>(Familiar)<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n
                                                <\/span>\u201cStrong beginning and weak ending\u201d                         <\/span>(Familiar)<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n
                                                <\/span>\u201cStart well and end badly\u201d                                         <\/span>(Familiar)<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Paraphrase\/describe:                <\/span>\u201cFlash in the pan\u201d                                          <\/span>(Colloquial; longer)<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n
                                                <\/span>\u201cAnticlimax\u201d                                                  <\/span>(Neutral; medium)                                                                         <\/span>\u201cDud\u201d                        <\/span>                                                <\/span>(Colloquial; shorter)<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
2. <\/span>\u86c7\u306e\u9053\u306f\u86c7<\/span><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n
Exotic:                                     <\/span>\u201cA snake knows the way of a snake.\u201d<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n
Familiar:                                  <\/span>\u201cSet a thief to catch a thief.\u201d<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n
                                                <\/span>\u201cIt takes one to know one.\u201d<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n
                                                <\/span>\u201cFight fire with fire.\u201d<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
3. <\/span>\u5f31\u8089<\/span>\u5f37<\/span>\u98df<\/span><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n
Similar meaning and form:      <\/span>\u201cThe weak are meat, the strong do eat.\u201d<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n
                                                <\/span>\u201cThe strong devour the weak.\u201d<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n
                                                <\/span>\u201cThe big fish eat the small.\u201d<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n
Similar meaning but different form:<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n
                                                <\/span>\u201cThe survival of the fittest\u201d<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n
Paraphrase\/describe:                <\/span>\u201cThe law of the jungle\u201d<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
4. <\/span>\u30d4\u30f3\u30c1\u3092\u30c1\u30e3\u30f3\u30b9\u306b<\/span><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n
Similar meaning and form:      <\/span>\u201cTurning a <\/span>challenge<\/span><\/b> into an <\/span>opportunity<\/span><\/b>.\u201d<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n
                                                <\/span>\u201cTurning a <\/span>problem<\/span><\/b>into an <\/span>opportunity<\/span><\/b>.\u201d<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n
                                                <\/span>\u201cTurning a <\/span>crisis<\/span><\/b>into an <\/span>opportunity<\/span><\/b>.\u201d<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n
                                                <\/span>\u201cTurning <\/span>adversity<\/span><\/b>into <\/span>opportunity<\/span><\/b>.\u201d<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n
Similar meaning but different form:<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n
                                                <\/span>\u201cMaking the <\/span>best<\/span><\/b>of a <\/span>bad situation<\/span><\/b>\u201d<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n
                                                <\/span>\u201cMaking <\/span>lemons<\/span><\/b>into <\/span>lemonade<\/span><\/b>\u201d<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n
Paraphrase\/describe:                <\/span>\u201cFinding a silver lining\u201d<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
5. <\/span>\u5927<\/span><\/b>\u9023<\/span><\/b>\u7acb<\/span><\/b>\u3068\u3044\u3046\u6ce5\u8239\u306b<\/span>\u4e57<\/span>\u308a<\/span>\u8fbc<\/span>\u3080\u653f\u515a<\/b>\u306f\u306a\u3044<\/span><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
No political party would          <\/span><\/span>take a ride on a mudboat.
board a boat made of mud.
board a train bound for nowhere.
adopt a strategy with no future.
support a losing proposition.<\/span><\/b><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
6. <\/span>\u3053\u306e\u4e16\u754c<\/span><\/b>\u304b\u3089\u8db3\u3092\u6d17\u3063\u305f\u3089<\/span>\u8fb2\u696d<\/span><\/b>\u3092\u3084\u308a\u305f\u3044\u3068\u304b\u3093\u304c\u3048\u3066\u3044\u308b\u3002<\/span><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
If I (ever)                                 <\/span><\/span>wash my hands of<\/span><\/b>(the world of) politics,
<\/span>turn my back on <\/span><\/b>(the world of) politics,<\/span>
walk away from <\/span><\/b>(the world of) politics,<\/span>
decide to quit <\/span><\/b>(the world of) politics,<\/span>
leave behind <\/span><\/b>(the world of) politics,<\/span>
abandon <\/span><\/b>(the world of) politics,<\/span>
give up<\/span><\/b>politics,<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n
(I think) I would like to try farming.<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
7. <\/span>\u65e5\u672c\u306e\u9632<\/span><\/b>\u885b\u7523\u696d<\/span><\/b>\u306b\u79cb\u6ce2\u9001\u308b\u300c\u53cb\u597d<\/b><\/span>\u8af8<\/span><\/b>\u56fd<\/span><\/b>\u300d<\/span><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Friendly Countries                  <\/span><\/span>Cast eyes on<\/span><\/b>                           <\/span>Japan\u2019s Defense Industry<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n
                                                <\/span><\/span>Seek Partnerships with<\/o:p><\/span><\/b><\/div>\n
                                                <\/span>Make Overtures to
Court<\/o:p><\/span><\/b><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
8. <\/span>\u518d\u751f\u4e8b\u4f8b<\/span><\/b>\uff1a\u30ea\u30b9\u30b1\u30c7<\/b><\/span>\u6642<\/span>\u3092\u7a3c\u3050\uff01<\/span>\u7d4c\u55b6<\/span><\/u><\/b>\u6539\u9769<\/span><\/u><\/b>\u306b\u7740\u624b<\/span><\/b><\/o:p><\/span><\/b><\/div>\n
The key to business revitalization: <\/span>Buy (some) time<\/o:p><\/span><\/b><\/div>\n
                                                <\/span>        <\/span>Gain (some) breathing room<\/o:p><\/span><\/b><\/div>\n
through debt rescheduling, then   <\/span>restructure operations
revamp operations
overhaul management<\/u><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
9. <\/span>\u515a\u672c\u90e8\u3068\u90fd\u9053\u5e9c<\/span>\u770c<\/span>\u306e\u5206<\/span>\u696d<\/span>\u8010\u6027\u306e<\/span>\u78ba<\/span>\u7acb\uff1d<\/span><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n
\u300c\u732b\u3082\u6753\u3082\u971e\u30f6<\/b><\/span>\u95a2\u8a63<\/span><\/b>\u3067<\/span><\/b>\u300d\u3068\u3044\u3046<\/span>\u7fd2\u6163<\/span>\u3092\u6253\u7834\u3057\u3001\u5730\u65b9\u3067<\/span>\u51e6<\/span>\u7406\u3067\u304d\u308b\u3053\u3068\u306f<\/span>\u51e6<\/span>\u7406\u3059\u308b\u3068\u3044\u3046\u5730\u65b9\u5206<\/span>\u6a29<\/span>\u3092\u5148\u53d6\u308a\u3067\u304d\u308b\u3002<\/span><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n
Establishing a system for division of labor between the party headquarters and the local chapters\/affiliates:<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n
Eliminating the custom by which<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n
\u201ceveryone comes to Kasumigaseki (to seek favors from the government,\u201d<\/o:p><\/span><\/b><\/div>\n
\u201cevery Tom, Dick and Harry brings his business to Kasumigaseki,\u201d<\/o:p><\/span><\/b><\/div>\n
\u201call decisions are made in Kasumigaseki,\u201d<\/span><\/b><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n
and in doing so<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n
taking the first steps toward<\/o:p><\/span><\/u><\/div>\n
laying the groundwork for<\/o:p><\/span><\/u><\/div>\n
decentralization of decision making, so matters than can be handled locally are handled locally.<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
_______________________<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n
Thus, in conveying the message:<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n
1. Use a strategy matrix tool to generate alternative translations.<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n
2. Consider alternative meanings<\/u>based on context.<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n
3. Consider alternative renderings<\/u>based on constraints.<\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
(Other examples are in the session handout: contact James L. Davis: jdavis@engr.wisc.edu <\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n
                                                <\/span><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Professor and Director, Technical Japanese Program Dept. of Engineering Professional Development, University of Wisconsin-Madison 2013 ATA Conference, San Antonio TX November 9, 2013 Why are figures of speech used in languages? To convey particular messages in particular ways. Generally speaking, the basic principle of translation is that the target text should make the same impact […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ata-divisions.org\/JLD\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/154"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ata-divisions.org\/JLD\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ata-divisions.org\/JLD\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ata-divisions.org\/JLD\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ata-divisions.org\/JLD\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=154"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.ata-divisions.org\/JLD\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/154\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ata-divisions.org\/JLD\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=154"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ata-divisions.org\/JLD\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=154"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ata-divisions.org\/JLD\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=154"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}