4 RESULTATS I DISCUSSIÓ
HIPS PPE +
4.1.5 Discussió general sobre l’estudi de l’HIPS i del PPE/HIPS
Wright and Wright (1993) define technical translation as the translation of special language texts, i.e. texts written using languages for special purposes. Technical translation may involve, for example, user guides or more specifically, texts that have technical or specialized terminology, that is, words or phrases that are virtually used only within a specific profession,
41
or describe that profession in great detail. Williams and Chesterman (2002: 12-13) maintain that technical translation covers the translation of many kinds of specialized texts, and requires a high level of subject knowledge and mastery of the relevant terminology.
Concerning the varieties of technical language, Newmark (1988a:151) suggests the following levels:
1- Academic. This includes transferred Latin and Greek words associated with academic papers, e.g., 'phlegmasia alba dolens'.
2- Professional. Formal terms used by experts, e.g., 'epidemic parotiti', 'varicella', 'scarlatina', ‘tetanus'.
3- Popular 'Laymans' vocabulary, which may include familiar alternative terms, e.g., 'mumps', 'chicken-pox'. 'scarlet fever', ' stroke', ' lockjaw'.
Byrne (2006: 26) argues that technical translation has strong relation to technical communication and that it can benefit from research in this and other areas such as usability and cognitive psychology. Technical texts should always be translated by a specialist who is familiar with the terminology of these texts. Dictionaries do not always provide the right answers to technical terminology problems. The non-technical translator may translate the terminology wrongly while the technical translator will know the proper term to use.
A high-quality technical translation combines correct terminology and a style appropriate for the type of document and the intended audience. A text describing a surgical procedure will use a different terminology and style depending on whether it is intended for physicians or laypersons. Excessively technical terminology may not be understood by the layman, while the specialist may be offended by use of popular language.
Wright and Wright (1993) point out that in translation technical texts require not only a firm mastery of both the source and target languages, but also at least an informed layman's (or even journeyman's) understanding of the subject field treated by the text, coupled with the research skills needed to write like an expert on the leading edge of technical disciplines. They also note that technical translators are typically either trained linguists, who develop specialized research skills along with ancillary knowledge in selected technical areas, or engineers, scientists and other subject-area specialists who have developed a high degree of
42
linguistic knowledge, which they apply to the translation of texts in their fields of specialization. They point out that clarity, concision and correctness, the principle stylistic goals of technical writing, are simultaneously those of technical translation; an excellent technical translator is an excellent technical writer.
Technical and scientific translation, more than any other mode of translation perhaps, is an instrument of cross-fertilization, transformation and progress. Without translation, the modern phenomenon of technology transfer would not exist. Pinchuck (1977:13) points out the demand for technical translation seems bound to increase, perhaps by leaps and bounds. He goes on to say that some solutions to this problem have been offered. One of these is a common international language, either one of the better-known existing languages or an artificially created one.
Savory (1957:16) argues that obstacles to technical translation can be seen when the two nations whose languages are concerned may have different customs, different games and amusements, and different degrees of technical development. Newmark (1988a: 151) maintains that technical translation is primarily distinguished from other forms of translation by terminology. Newmark (1988a:152) points out that the central difficulty in technical translation is usually new terminology. He argues that the main problem is likely to involve technical neologisms in the source language which are relatively context-free and appear only once. This is due to the reason that technical translation is part and parcel of specialized translation. Nevertheless, terminology is also a major feature of technical translation. Since the translation is between English and Arabic which is considered as incongruent languages either culturally or grammatically the translation is considered to be obstacle for non professional translators especially in the technical fields as the text may be reach of technical terms which do not have equivalent.
Marchuk (1984:93) argues that the expansion of technical translation is due to scientific and technological progress, the growth of scientific, technical, commercial, cultural and other relations, the desire of nations and governments to develop co-operation and coordinate their efforts in promomting civilization. Pinchuck (1977:9) points out the importance of technical translation. 'Dissemination of information between nations cannot take place without it. It is an integral part of modern technology, which is international and depends on the transmission
43
of ideas across language barriers. In technology no country can afford to be an island any more. We all belong to a worldwide material culture without which we should perish'.
Dickins et al (2002:184) argue that the term ' technical' is not confined to natural science and technology. According to them any specialist field has its own technical terms and its own genre-making characteristics. They point out that (ibid: 185) technical texts tend to be relatively inaccessible to the non-specialist reader. Lexical problems arise from the use of the following types of source text terms:
1- Technical terms which are totally unfamiliar to the lay translator, because they are only used in technical contexts.
2- Technical terms which are familiar to the translator because they are also used in non- technical context, but which look as if they are being used in some technically specialized way in the source text.
3- Technical terms which are familiar to the translator because they are also used in non- technical contexts, but in a specialized way in the source text.
They go on to point out that conceptual problems in technical translation arise from ignorance of underlying knowledge taken for granted by experts, but not understood by non-specialists and not explicit in the source text.
Both general financial texts, and Islamic finance texts, with their specifically religious element, are types of technical text. When a translator translates religious terms from Arabic into English, he should have a sound knowledge of religion, due to the fact he needs to refer to Qur’an, Hadith, Life of the Prophet, Stories of Companions. He should also understand Arabic with all its semantic aspects. A native Arabic speaker may not be enough as Arabic is a rich language and has many senses of each word that may require understanding in their specific contexts. David Jasper points out that translating religious texts is “an impossible necessity” (Jasper 1993: 105). the translation of religious text due to the fact of ‘divine nature of the text’ (Williams and Chesterman 2002: 42). Abdul-Raof (2001) points out that linguistic integrity and scriptural introspection, i.e. a tendency to use only critical techniques familiar to the Islamic religion, can be seen to typify Qur’an translation
44
3.7 Conclusion
In this chapter, I have considered the two aspects of meaning – denotative meaning and connotative meaning. I have looked at denotative meaning in some detail as this is central to this thesis. I have gone on to consider cultural issues. I have then considered Islamic banking, which is of central importance to this thesis, from a cultural perspective. Finally, I have considered the translation of technical terms, as this thesis is concerned with technical- term translation.
In the following two chapters – chapters 4 and 5 – I will analyse the translation into English of a number of Arabic financial texts. These form the first part of the data for this thesis. The second part of the data – material from English-Arabic financial dictionaries – will be analysed in chapter 6.
45