Tamara I.LeontievaLectures on Translation Theory

Department of Cross-cultural Communication and Translation

Study

Foreign Languages Center

Vladivostok State University of Economics

2008

SPEECH FUNCTIONS AND TRANSLATION

Theory and Practice

Language Functions

Communicative Cognitive (formulating thoughts)

Karl Buhler(Austrian linguist)

1. Expressive function

2. Appealing (focusing on the receptor)

3. Referential (representing objects and phenomena)

Yuri Stepanov(semiotic principle)

1. Nominative function

2. Syntactic function

3. Pragmatic function

Language vs Speech Functions

Language Functions

a) Are universal and constant

b) Are realized through speech

Speech Functions

a) Are typical of a certain speech event

b) Are temporary, as

the speech event is temporary

Speech Functions(according to Roman Jakobson)

1. Referential (informative)

2. Expressive (emotive)

3. Conative (voluntative)

4. Phatic (contact-making)

5. Poetic (aesthetic)

6. Metalingual (describing language)

M.A.C. Halliday

Following M.A.C.Halliday, translation theorists added one more speech function to the list, it is interpersonal function which

a) implies the speaker’s intervention in the use of language and

b) the expression of attitude.

Interpersonal Function and Modality in Translation

Objective modality

1) category of mood [particles, adverbs: hardly, scarcely and the like]

2) Assertion or denial of facts [categorical character of Russian speech]

Subjective modality

1) Modal verbs, modal words, syntactic constructions: She’s reported to defect the country.

2) Particles: ведь, хоть, неужели, вряд ли: He can hardly have said it.

Expressive Function in Translation

1. Emotive semes: «You, old fool», said Mrs. Meade tenderly.

2. Expressive semes (intensifiers):

a) They attacked him violently (physical assault). They violently attacked him (verbal assault).

b) He’s kind of clever - Он вроде умный (infl. AmE).

To be continued.

Expressive Function in Translation - 2

c) У меня скорее лапы отсохнут, чем я прикоснусь к чужому … I’d rather have my paws wither and fall off than touch what belongs to someone else [special syntactic constructions].

d) Similes, metaphors: Don’t dirty your hands with that money. Весна уже на пороге - Spring is coming very soon.

Expressive Function in Translation - 3

3. Appreciative semes (approval, disapproval): What a man!

a) Какой человек!

b) Ну и тип!

Ванечка, подожди минуту!

Vanya! Wait a minute [Lost form of diminution].

Expressive Function in Translation - 4

4. Stylistic semes (lower or elevate the tone of speech): K.Chukovsky’s famous example: Светловолосая дева, чего ты дрожишь?

a) Рыжая девка, чего ты трясешься?

b) He commenced to scratch his back.

c) Мамаша, что вы мелете?

Expressive Function in Translation - 5

5. Pragmatic semes: They arouse the communicants’ particular background associations:

a) Союз нерушимый … Stars and Stripes, Star-Spangled Banner, Old Glory;

b) Different symbolic associations (The Moon for an Uzbek is a girl’s beautiful face. For A. Pushkin: Кругла, бледна лицом она, как эта глупая луна).

Phatic Function in Translation (calling somebody’s attention, greetings, interruptions, vocatives, small talk, etc.)

a) Phrases for calling attention and asking to repeat::

Excuse me – Простите, девушка, вы не скажете…

AmE: I beg your pardon / Pardon.

To be continued

Phatic Function in Translation (calling somebody’s attention, greetings, interruptions, vocatives, small talk, etc.)

b) Forms of address: Mr., Mrs., Miss, Ms. – the latter is for a female who does not want others to know if she is married or not. Tr.: Mrs. Mary Brown – Mrs. John Brown (г-жа Браун, супруга Джона Брауна). “Miss” is becoming rare. Position or vocation: Mr. President, Ms.Chairperson, Officer, Doctor Brown – д-р Браун (an Am. Professor).

Conative Function in Translation(commands, prohibitions, requests,

permissions, advice, invitations, etc.)

1. A translator should be aware of the differences in expressing requests: May I introduce my wife to you? In Russian it is imperative: Разрешите представить вам мою жену.

2. Imperatives in English are accompan -ied with “please”: Give me a call, please. To be continued.

Conative Function in Translation(commands, prohibitions, requests,

permissions, advice, invitations, etc.)

3. Conative function may signal s/th different: У вас есть часы? – What time is it now?

4. Utterances with performative verbs: I inform you, I congratulate you.

Home assignments:

1. Read Proshina’s book of Theory of Translation, 1999. - Pp. 200-217.

2. Enlarge on the examples basing on the English or American literature you are reading.

3. Prepare 2-3 interesting questions on the material covered for the seminar.