TRANSLATING A SCIENTIFIC TEXT INTO ENGLISH: COGNITIVE PERSPECTIVE

Alexey Minchenkov

DOI Number
https://doi.org/10.22190/JTESAP1901071M
First page
071
Last page
084

Abstract


Within the framework of Cognitive Translation Theory, the paper aims to explore how students of science who do not specialize in English use and acquire various kinds of knowledge in the process of translating a scientific text from Russian into English, focusing on the problems they encounter and the strategies they use in order to solve these problems. The study is based on the assumption that with the numerous sources of information available today many of the knowledge gaps both linguistic and non-linguistic can be filled provided the translator uses the right sources at the right moment. The paper uses data obtained from an experimental study carried out using the think-aloud protocols technique. The translation process is described in terms of the cognitive-heuristic approach to translation, using such terms as the cognitive context, cognitive search, and auto-correction. The paper uses the term ‘operational error’ to denote the wrong strategy employed by the translator, which leads to a breakdown in the process of translation and eventually to an unsuccessful translation variant. Various kinds of operational errors specific to students of science are discussed using examples from the protocols. Special attention is paid to the importance of translation on the conceptual level and the use of auto-correction to ensure the naturalness of the target text. The experimental data obtained also allow identifying the areas of English grammar that cause the most problems for students of science.


Full Text:

PDF

References


Bell R.T. 1993. Translation and Translating: Theory and Practice. London: Longman.

Biber D., Johansson S., Leech J., Conrad S., Finegan E. 1999. Longman Grammar of Spoken and Written English. London: Pearson Education Limited.

Boldyrev N.N. 2014. The Role of the Cognitive Context in the Interpretation of the World and Knowledge of the World. The Herald of Cheljabinsk State University. Philology. Art Criticism. №6 (335). Issue 88: pp.118-122.

Catford J.C. 1965. A Linguistic Theory of Translation. London: Oxford University Press.

Croft W., Cruse A. 2004. Cognitive Linguistics. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Cruse A. 2004. Meaning in Language. An Introduction to Semantics and Pragmatics. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Dancette J. 1997. Mapping Meaning and Comprehension in Translation. Theoretical and Experimental Issues. Cognitive Processes in Translation & Interpreting. J.H.Danks et al. (ed.). California: Sage Publications, pp.77-103.

Halverson S.L. 2013. Implications of Cognitive Linguistics for Translation Studies. Cognitive Linguistics and Translation. Rojo A. & Ibarretxe-Antunano I. (ed.). Berlin: De Gruyter Mouton, pp.33-73.

Hatim B., Mason I. 1990. Discourse and the Translator. London: Longman.

Hatim B., Mason I. 1997. The Translator as Communicator. London: Routledge.

Jackendoff R. 1996. Languages of the Mind. Essays on Mental Representation. Cambridge, Massachusetts: the M.I.T. Press.

Kiraly D.C. 1995. Pathways to Translation: Process and Pedagogy. Kent: Kent State University Press.

Kiraly D.C. 1997. Think-Aloud Protocols and the Construction of a Professional Translator Self-Concept. Cognitive Processes in Translation & Interpreting. J.H.Danks et al. (ed.). California: Sage Publications, pp.137-160.

Kussmaul P. 1991. Creativity in the Translation Process: Empirical Approaches. Translation Studies: The State of the Art: Proceedings from the First James S Holmes Symposium on Translation Studies. van Leuven-Zwart K. & Naaijkens T. (ed.). Amsterdam: Rodopi, pp.91-101.

Lakoff G., Johnson M. 1999. Philosophy in the Flesh. New York: Basic Books.

Langacker R. 1991. Concept, Image and Symbol. The Cognitive Basis of Grammar. Berlin: De Gruyter.

Langacker R. 1999. Grammar and Conceptualization. Berlin: De Gruyter.

Langacker R. 2008. Cognitive Grammar: A Basic Introduction. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Lörscher W. 1991. Thinking-Aloud as a Method for Collecting Data on Translation Processes. Empirical Research in Translation and Intercultural Studies. Tirkkonen-Condit S. (ed.). Tübingen: Gunter Narr Verlag, pp.67-77.

Minchenkov A.G. 2007. Cognition and Heuristics in Translation Process. Saint Petersburg: Anthology.

Minchenkov A.G. 2011. Cognitive-Heuristic Model of Translation. Theoretical Foundations, Verification and Application. Saarbrücken: Lambert Academic Publishing.

Rojo A., Ibarretxe-Antunano I. 2013. Cognitive Linguistics and Translation Studies: Past, present and future. Cognitive Linguistics and Translation. Rojo A. & Ibarretxe-Antunano I. (ed.). Berlin: De Gruyter Mouton, pp.3-30.

Shuttleworth M., Cowie M. 1999. Dictionary of Translation Studies. Manchester: St Jerome Publishing.

Talmy L. 2001. Toward a Cognitive Semantics. Vol. 2. Typology and Process in Concept Structuring. Cambridge, Massachusetts: the M.I.T. Press.




DOI: https://doi.org/10.22190/JTESAP1901071M

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


ISSN 2334-9182 (Print)
ISSN 2334-9212 (Online)