subject: Narrowing The Translation Gap Between Theory And Practice [print this page] Since its inception, translation has not ceased to play its indispensable role of transferring messages across languages and cultural barriers. By so doing it continuously weakens the fences between languages, exposing their similarities, getting a consensus on their differences and easing interactions that will assist in developing cross-cultural integrative skills useful in an interdependent world. Several theories have been suggested to explain the concept of translation.
Translation whose beginning can be traced back to the Tower of Babel (Finlay, 1971:17) is a reality despite the complications and doubt attached to it based on the nature of the elements involved, the languages, the cultures, and the translator. There is still a difference between a document and its translated version even if the translation is handled by the author of the document. By using here the author as the translator, one hopes for a perfect translation whereby the translated version may be equivalent to the original text. If given a second opportunity, the author will produce a second translated version, which may again be slightly different from the original and the first translated version. Also, the continuous formulation of translation theories implies that human beings have still not yet satisfied their desire of perfection in translation thus leaving room for further research. To be more practical than theoretical, translation should be seen as an attempt to guess the mind of an author correctly. In translation, it is question of satisfaction rather than perfection. Satisfaction in translation lies in the ability to minimize the gap between theory and practice. The complications are more pronounced when a tonal and a non-tonal language are involved. Yet despite the dichotomy between theory and practice of translation, an attempt is been made to reduce the gap. To achieve our aims, a portion of "Tal'pa mba" by Kola Akinlade into French is translated using the different theories and techniques of translation, which will be concluded by a consensus theory on translating.
The practical translation in this work involves a tonal language, Yoruba and a non-tonal language, French which is an international language. The book "Tal'pa mba" of Kola Akinlade is written in Yoruba for a Yoruba public. Yoruba, one of the Kwa languages is spoken in sub-Saharan Africa by almost 25 million people mostly in Nigeria, Benin Republic, Togo, Brazil and Cuba. The Youruba language, like many other African languages, is a tonal language, a system unknown to Europe, and is acompanied by drumbeat for long-distance communication in Africa. Tone is indispensable in the pronunciation of Yoruba words and for the grammatical structure of a sentence. There are three tones: low, medium, and high. It plays an important role in understanding a Yoruba text.
Translation should be seen as an attempt to guess the mind of an author correctly.
The choice of a book written in Yoruba to carry out this study was intentional, knowing well that Babalola has cautioned of the difficulties encountered when translating a poem from Yoruba to a non-tonal language like English. He further advised that the subject matter could be delivered, but the Yoruba rhythm of a tonal language is elusive in a non-tonal language. Also Finch sees that languages have different ways of expressing the emotions and ideas of those who use them. For him an African language, highly versatile in naming elements close to nature, may not possess the words to translate the technological concepts of the West. Yet in practice people find ways to cross the language barriers. The difference between France and the Yoruba-speaking regions is limited not only to languages, but also to habits, psychology, prejudices, and culture. The techniques used here for translation vary depending on the obstacles or the nature of the text. It is not different from the approach of Ian F. Finlay who suggests the use of special techniques or combination of skills to tackle the challenges in translating.
The theory of the sixteen century Greek translator, Boce, was tried to tackle the challenges of translation. The result was a confusion of sentences with no correct grammatical structure or meaning. In fact, the theory says that to avoid deviation from the original, the translation should be word-for-word. Not only was not the Boce's theory applicable here, but it has been the object of furious criticism. Out of two pages of translation, at least there is one sentence that satisfied the theory of Boce.
The most applicable and convenient methods of translation used in this portion of Yoruba text were the techniques of the early Roman translators Livius Andronicus, the great orator Marcus Tullius Cicero, Quintus Horatius Flaccus known as Horace, and Gaius Valerius Catullus. They were not in favor of word-for-word translation, but were placing more emphasis on the meaning. Quoting Cicero, Nassima El Madjina cautioned against word-for-word translation, but encouraged the transfer of ideas. Most other translation theorists follow the Cicero's footsteps with some further refinements and specialization.
Translation is no longer a phenomenon whose nature and borders are given once and for all, but an activity dependent on the relations within a certain cultural system.
The polysystem theory of translation is reinforced, and complimented by the skopos theory that treat pragmatic texts. With these theories, translation has taken care of the cultural aspect, yet leaving room for improvement.
The translation of a Yoruba text into French was somewhat more difficult because of the nature of the Yoruba language, which is a tonal language. Translating from English to French is easier than moving from tonal to non-tonal languages. The work becomes more intensive and complicated when cultural elements are involved. At this level, despite the expertise of the translator, not only are there no available equivalent words and expressions, but the realities or concepts of life differ when going from tonal to non-tonal languages. Theories on translation are yet to give adequate solutions to these problems. The frequent interactions between French and English languages and other international languages were useful in removing some linguistic and cultural barriers between France and United Kingdom. Contacts favored loanwords and strengthened cultural understanding. These frequent contacts and interactions between nations and cultural groups are possible solutions. It is imperative that the advantages enjoyed by French, English, and other international languages be extended to other languages such Yoruba, a tonal language. The elevation of tonal languages to international status may adapt them to the technological innovations thus facilitating cross-language transfers. Exposure makes a language more flexible during communicative transactions. It also facilitates the natural enrichment of a language by elimination and loan words. The natural enrichment process could be aided by the promotion of policies and laws, which will encourage contacts and place languages at the same level.
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