Midterm assignment Translation and Interpreting Theory

Venuti (2000) emphasizes the values of domesticating (sense-for-sense)

translation over any word-for-word translation:

“The functionalism that accompanies sense-for-sense translation since antiquity is

now redefined to fit different cultural and social realities. Translators are forthright in

stating that their freedoms are intended not merely to imitate features of the foreign

texts, but to allow the translation to work as a literary text in its own right, exerting

its force within native traditions. As a result, translation is strongly domesticating,

assimilating foreign literatures to the linguistic and cultural values of the receiving

situation. (Venuti, p.16)”

To what extent do you agree with this statement. Use examples from at least one

literary work to illustrate your point.

Write your answer in around 500 words.

Due to different cultural and social realities, translators sometimes also have trouble with

certain words or phrases that might make them confused and the meaning may not be appropriate

if word-for-word translation is used. Venuti (2000) also highly values and embraces any

domesticating translation over any word-for-word translation. I strongly agree with his statement

and illustrate my perspective in the following literary work.

Whatever the type the translation will be, the ultimate goal of the translation process is to

help the reader understand the text following their language and culture. Domesticating

translation is a good option that meets those demands. Cultural and linguistic differences in

translation can be dealt with using domesticating translation which helps to produce readable,

natural, and comprehensible translation so that the target readers are easier to understand the text

with familiarised language and images. If we follow word by word translation, the translated text

may include confusing syntax and phrases that make it difficult for the reader to understand.

Therefore, we need to impart the meaning of the text rather than focusing on the individual

words themselves. In these following examples (the translation of Dang The Binh for

Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet), instead of applying word for word translation, the translators

use many expressions and idioms that are popular in Vietnamese culture as the equivalents for

the ST to create a suitable translation.

To begin with, we look at this example:

ST: Lay hand on heart, advise.

TT: Vắt tay lên trán mà nghĩ cho chín.

The cultural difference appears in this line. Usually in Western culture, the heart and the

stomach are considered as the containing center of all human emotions and feelings while

Eastern people, especially Vietnamese people, suppose that the centre of thinking and feelings

comes from the head and brain. In this case, although the translation of ‘Lay hand on heart’ to

‘Vắt tay lên trán’ seems to be different from the original, it is a reasonable translation suitable for

Vietnamese culture, in which the forehead is then the centre of thinking and feelings of

Vietnamese culture. In this case, following word by word translation will make the translation

become awkward for Vietnamese readers to grasp the meaning.

Another example for domesticating translation that makes a good translation: