Societal factors and translation practice
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 12183141 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Harold Lesch (0000-0003-1474-7028, Stellenbosch University, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2004 |
| Volume | 12 |
| Issue | 4 |
| Pages | 256-269 |
| Publication date | 2004-01-01 |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Perspectives (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0907-676X • E-ISSN: 1747-6623 |
| Publisher | Taylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/0907676x.2004.9961506 |
| OpenAlex | W2057153910 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 1 |
| References cited | 4 |
The article discusses problems in rendering source‐texts in multilingual and multicultural societies, such as those in South Africa, in which there are heterogeneous target audiences for a translation. It is pointed out that translators in such societies must take into account the heterogeneity of the target audiences, or otherwise translation will be only symbolic gestures, empty of value, and thus not communicate the message intended. Using an authentic example of an English‐language source text concerning the act of governance of schools in South Africa, the author demonstrates how Afrikaans translators, by means of adaptation, and most of all ‘plain language’ as defined and used by the target audiences, do make a juridical source text understandable to various audiences to whom the message is communicated in Afrikaans. It is argued that such a functional approach ensures that translations are meaningful acts and it may serve as a paradigm for other multicultural and multilingual countries and institutions. In the discussion, the article uses the notion of truth‐conditional relationships
Adaptation (eye · Gesture · Linguistics · Multiculturalism · Pedagogy · Rendering (computer graphics · Social science · Sociology · Source text · Target text · Value (mathematics · Computer Science · Discourse Analysis in Language Studies · Interpreting and Communication in Healthcare · Psychology · Translation Studies and Practices · Artificial Intelligence
| Citations per year | 0.25 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 2022 - 2022 (1) |
| Highly cited | No |