The semiotic approach

Semiotics is the science that studies signs and signification. Accordingly, in order for there to be meaning there must be a collaboration between a sign, an object and an interpreter. Thus, from the perspective of semiotics, translation is thought of as a way of interpreting texts in which encyclopedic content varies and each sociocultural context is unique.

Тема 3. Художній текст як об’єкт перекладу

1 Fictional Text Translation: Specifics and Problems

Fictional translation is the kind of translation activity, the main task of which is to create a work of fiction in the target language which is capable to have the same artistic and aesthetic impact on the reader as the text of the original.

Translation of fiction is a complex process that is affected by many variables, such as a reference to the source or target language, or the use of adaptation to accomplish certain pragmatic goals. Ukrainian fiction and English fiction are not only written in different languages, but also represent different cultures, varying greatly in terms of linguistic, literary, cultural and social characteristics. Translation of fiction is complicated by the fact that it is necessary not only to convey the linguistic, but also the cultural and social component of the original, including the whole complex of emotions, associations and ideas related to the national way of life and traditions described in the original work.

Translation of fiction depends largely on various factors, including:

• aesthetic features

• historical and cultural-social circumstances

• author's individualism

• author's worldview

• author's style

Communication by translation is more complex than intra-language, because the message is not transmitted directly, but through an intermediary, making the translator a reader and co-author at the same time. As a reader, the translator analyzes and interprets the semantic and lexical-grammatical structures of the original text in accordance with his own perception and what Kaller calls “literary competence”, that is, the reader’s understanding of the internal elements of a literary work as literary genres, themes, themes and symbolism. The choice of a adequate equivalent depends on the sociolinguistic, sociopragmatic and grammatical competence of the translator in both languages.

Just as different readers may react differently to the same text, the translator’s vision is just one of the possible interpretations.

When translating a literary text, a translator can apply one of the three translation strategies proposed by Kazakova, namely the strategy of an observer, assistant or educator.

The main feature of the observer strategy is the impersonality of choice and indifference to the preferences of the potential reader. Translating fiction with the help of such a strategy, the translator usually seeks to neutralize the stylistic features of the source text, among which are also the personal preferences of the author. The translation uses primarily standard equivalents proposed by a bilingual dictionary, even if they provide only formal equality, not functional equality. Conservatism is also manifested in the transliteration of realities, while grammatical forms and structures, such as word order, remain unchanged, although they sometimes violate the norms of the target language.

According to the assistant's strategy, the translator, as a rule, protects the reader from interlanguage and intercultural complications and more often uses analogs or a descriptive translation, rather than transliteration; and also seeks to make the translated text syntax more readable. The translator may even use some linguistic units from the text, if they seem to him incomprehensible or too specific. Applying this strategy you need to be careful not to change the emotional or estimated color of the statement.

The Enlightenment Strategy is used to educate the reader by adding additional information and expanding the text in translation. This is manifested in a large number of notes and comments, because the translator-educator is convinced that the reader does not have the necessary knowledge. This strategy is most effective when translating historical or fantastically scientific novels.

A skilled translator, as a rule, uses all three strategies simultaneously, preferring one of them if necessary.