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TYPOLOGY OF TRANSLATION ERROS
ZULPYKHAR DIANA BEKENKYZY
4th year student of the department of translation, SKPU named after U.Zhanibekov, Shymkent, Republic of Kazakhstan
TOKTAR MEREY MURATKYZY
4th year student of the department of translation, SKPU named after U.Zhanibekov, Shymkent, Republic of Kazakhstan
Annotation: This article addresses issues related to translation errors, which are a significant concern in the fields of translation and philology. The author analyzes various types of errors, such as semantic, syntactic, lexical, and stylistic errors, highlighting their characteristics and causes. Errors may arise due to insufficient knowledge of the source or target language, a lack ofprofessional expertise, as well as cognitive and culturalfactors. The article explores the primary causes of errors, such as interlingual and intralingual interference, and the misinterpretation of context and style in the original text.
Special attention is given to the role of modern technologies in the translation process. The article discusses both the advantages and limitations of machine translation, including issues related to context understanding, stylistic features, and specialized terminology. Furthermore, the importance of using computer-assisted translation (CAT) tools, such as translation memory systems and terminology databases, is emphasized as a means to enhance the quality of translators' work. The article also stresses the needfor professional development and continuous training of translators to minimize errors and improve translation accuracy.
The recommendations and strategies provided, such as a thorough understanding of both source and target languages, the use of specialized resources and tools, as well as practice and feedback, can significantly improve translation quality. This article offers a comprehensive approach to addressing translation errors, taking into account both traditional translation methods and new technological advancements in the field.
Keywords: translation errors, semantic errors, syntactic errors, lexical errors, stylistic errors, machine translation, artificial intelligence, translation strategies, CAT tools, cognitive factors, cultural differences, translation quality, translator professional development, terminology databases, computer-assisted translation, translator training, translation process.
The issue of translation errors has been a prominent concern in the philological and translation studies community for many years. Translation errors—whether in business documentation, artistic translation, or personal correspondence—are undesirable as they compromise the adequacy and equivalence of the translated text.
Understanding Translation Errors
Translation errors are generally defined as significant inaccuracies or deviations from normative language standards and translation requirements. To understand what constitutes a translation error, it is crucial to identify the goals of an accurate translation. Translation, in its most basic sense, is the process of conveying the content of a text from one language into another. Errors disrupt this process, leading to misinterpretations.
N. K. Garbovsky identified four main causes of translation errors:
1. Insufficient knowledge of the source language. For example, translating "comprehensive" as "comprehensive" instead of "inclusive" in a scientific context.
2. Lack of expertise in the target language. This often results in awkward constructions or inappropriate lexical choices.
3. Limited cognitive expertise. Translators may lack familiarity with specialized fields, leading to technical inaccuracies.
4. Neglect of the author's unique style. Failure to preserve the stylistic nuances of the original
text.
Typology of Translation Errors
Translation errors can be classified based on the underlying linguistic levels or their causes:
Errors by Linguistic Level
1. Semantic Errors: These involve distortions in meaning, such as misinterpreting individual terms or phrases.
2. Syntactic Errors: These include mistakes in sentence structure, logical connections, or grammatical agreement.
3. Lexical Errors: Incorrect use of words or expressions, including mistranslations of idiomatic phrases.
4. Stylistic Errors: Failures in preserving the author's tone, style, or genre, such as rendering formal text in an overly casual manner.
5. Grammatical Errors: In Translation arise from discrepancies between the grammatical structures of the source and target languages. These errors include:
• Errors in Agreement: Incorrect subject-verb agreement, such as mismatched tenses or plural/singular forms.
• Word Order Issues: Misplacement of words in a sentence, which can alter the intended meaning (particularly in languages with fixed word order).
• Omission or Addition of Articles: Common in translations to or from English, where articles significantly affect meaning.
• Incorrect Use of Cases: Especially frequent when translating between languages with and without case systems.
• Mistakes in Grammatical Constructions: Replacing complex sentences with simple ones (or vice versa), potentially changing the meaning or tone of the text.
Semantic Errors Stylistic Errors
Syntactic Errors ■ Lexical Errors Grammatical Errors
Errors by Cause
1. Interlingual Interference : Errors influenced by the structure of the source language.
2. Intralingual Interference: Errors arising from ambiguities or peculiarities within the target language.
Analysis of Common Translation Errors
Errors at the semantic level are among the most common. They occur due to incorrect transformations during translation or misinterpretation of terms in context. For example, translating "bank" as "financial bank" instead of "riverbank."
Pragmatic errors often involve misunderstanding indirect speech acts, metaphors, or allegories. A translator must be adept at identifying the pragmatic function of such expressions.
Stylistic errors, although subtler, can significantly distort the reader's perception of the translated text. For instance, a misinterpretation of an author's unique tone or choice of lexical units can alter the original message's intended impact.
Detailed Discussion of Translation Errors and Their Causes
Translation errors arise due to a variety of factors. Each type of error reveals different aspects of the translation process, from linguistic to cognitive challenges faced by translators. It is crucial to understand that not all errors are equal, and their impact on the translation product can vary. A deeper analysis of the causes of these errors can help refine the translation process and reduce the occurrence of mistakes.
The Role of Linguistic Knowledge in Translation Errors
Linguistic errors often occur due to insufficient proficiency in either the source or target language. It is especially common when a translator struggles with complex grammar, syntax, or vocabulary. For instance, in technical translation, the failure to understand specialized terms can lead to significant errors that alter the entire meaning of a text. In these cases, it is not enough for the translator to have general language knowledge; they must also be well-versed in the specific terminology of the field in question.
Additionally, translators sometimes rely on false cognates or misleading word-for-word translations. These errors can occur when words or phrases look similar in both languages but have different meanings or connotations. For example, the word "actual" in English, when translated into Spanish as "actual," can cause confusion, as it may not carry the same meaning in both contexts. Similarly, translating "eventually" into a language that uses a similar-sounding word, such as "eventuellement" in French, may confuse the audience as the two terms do not hold the same implications.
Cognitive Factors in Translation Errors
Cognitive errors stem from the translator's personal knowledge, understanding, and cognitive biases. They can arise when a translator's pre-existing knowledge or assumptions about the source language or culture influence their interpretation of the text. For example, a translator might unintentionally impose their cultural framework or expectations on the source text, leading to inaccurate or culturally inappropriate translations. The translator may misinterpret figurative language or cultural references if they lack familiarity with the culture from which the text originates.
In this context, one must consider the translator's ability to apply their background knowledge. For instance, translating a text about legal systems requires not only linguistic skill but also an understanding of legal concepts, systems, and terminology. Without this knowledge, even a linguistically accurate translation could fail to convey the true meaning of the text.
Pragmatic and Stylistic Errors
Pragmatic errors often arise when a translator fails to capture the intent behind a text. These errors occur when the translator overlooks the author's intended message, tone, or purpose, leading to a translation that is not appropriate for the context. For example, a translation of a humorous text might lose its intended comedic effect if the translator does not fully understand the cultural context or the specific nuances of humor in the source language.
Stylistic errors are related to the translator's failure to preserve the original text's stylistic elements. These can be especially difficult to detect, as they involve the subtleties of style, tone, and register. For example, the use of formal versus informal language, or the choice of a specific literary
style, can significantly affect the perception of the translation. If the translator does not replicate these nuances, the translation may fail to evoke the same response from the target audience.
The Impact of Translator's Experience on Errors
A translator's experience and familiarity with both languages and the translation process play a critical role in reducing errors. Less experienced translators may make errors due to unfamiliarity with the nuances of the source and target languages or lack of understanding of cultural references. More seasoned translators are often better equipped to handle the complexities of translation, making fewer mistakes. However, even experienced translators can encounter difficulties, especially when dealing with highly specialized fields or texts with complex language features.
Training and continuous professional development are essential for improving translation skills and reducing errors. Participating in translation workshops, attending conferences, and reading up on the latest translation theories can help translators expand their expertise and avoid common pitfalls.
Addressing Errors in Translation Training
In translation training, one of the key goals is to reduce the likelihood of errors. This involves not only teaching language skills but also fostering an understanding of how to approach translation tasks. Translators are trained to recognize the different types of errors that can occur and how to address them. For example, they learn how to handle cultural nuances, how to use reference materials such as dictionaries and glossaries, and how to approach specialized translation fields.
Moreover, exposure to different translation tasks, ranging from literary to technical texts, helps develop the translator's ability to navigate the complexities of the translation process. Practical experience is essential, and new translators often learn more effectively by practicing translation and receiving feedback from more experienced professionals.
Strategies to Minimize Translation Errors
Minimizing translation errors requires:
1. Thorough Understanding of Source and Target Languages: This includes mastering idiomatic expressions, contextual nuances, and technical terminology.
2. Adequate Subject Knowledge: Translators should have sufficient cognitive expertise in the domain they are translating.
3. Meticulous Proofreading andEditing: This step helps identify and correct inaccuracies before publication.
4. Continuous Professional Development: Attending workshops and studying updated translation theories can enhance a translator's skills.
Technological Aspects of Preventing Translation Errors
Modern technologies have significantly transformed the translation process, offering new tools and resources to minimize errors. The use of automated translation systems, grammar-checking software, and specialized terminology databases can help translators handle complex tasks but also requires a critical approach to the results.
Advantages and Limitations of Machine Translation
Machine Translation (MT) has become a popular tool for quick translations, especially under time constraints. However, despite its advantages, MT has several shortcomings, such as:
1. Lack of Context Understanding. Machines often fail to correctly interpret polysemous words or idiomatic expressions.
2. Style and Register. Machine translations often lose the stylistic features of the original, which is especially important for literary and artistic texts.
3. Errors in Specialized Terminology. Although MT can be trained on specific subjects, it still lags behind experienced translators in accurately conveying meaning.
Nevertheless, combining MT with professional post-editing has become an effective solution for improving translation quality.
CAT Tools and Quality Management
Computer-assisted translation (CAT) tools, such as SDL Trados, MemoQ, and others, help translators streamline their workflow. These programs offer:
Terminology Databases. Translators can create and use glossaries to maintain consistency in terminology.
Translation Memory. Segments of previously translated text are automatically saved and can be reused in the future.
Integration with Checking Tools. CAT tools provide built-in features for spell-checking, grammar, and style.
However, CAT tools require user proficiency and attentiveness, as they do not guarantee error-free results.
Artificial Intelligence and Its Role in Translation
Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems, such as deep learning neural networks, are actively applied to enhance the quality of machine translation. They can account for context and stylistic nuances of a text but cannot yet replace human intelligence. The combination of AI and expert translator work ensures high-quality outcomes.
Future Directions in Translation Technology
With the advancement of technology, the development of more precise and intuitive translation tools is expected. For instance, the use of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) for visual translation assistance is being explored. This could open new horizons for translating multimodal texts, which include text, audio, and video. Conclusion
Translation is a complex and nuanced process that requires a deep understanding of languages, cultures, and subject-specific knowledge. The analysis of translation errors highlights the importance of addressing linguistic, cognitive, and technological challenges to achieve accurate and high-quality translations. While human translators remain indispensable due to their ability to interpret context, style, and cultural nuances, modern tools like machine translation and CAT systems significantly enhance their efficiency and consistency.
To minimize errors, translators must invest in continuous professional development, leverage specialized resources, and remain adaptable to evolving technologies. The synergy between human expertise and technological innovation represents the future of translation, ensuring precision and preserving the integrity of the original message. By applying the strategies outlined in this article, translators can overcome common pitfalls, deliver more accurate translations, and contribute meaningfully to global communication and understanding.
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