Translation Techniques 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does the translation technique 'transposition' involve?
- Changing the word class without changing the meaning (Correct answer)
- Translating word for word
- Adding explanatory footnotes
- Borrowing a word directly from the source language
Correct answer: Changing the word class without changing the meaning
Transposition shifts a word from one grammatical category to another (e.g., verb to noun) while keeping the meaning.
Question 2: The technique of 'modulation' refers to:
- A shift in point of view or perspective in the target text (Correct answer)
- Direct transfer of a term
- Reordering an entire paragraph
- Omitting redundant content
Correct answer: A shift in point of view or perspective in the target text
Modulation changes the semantic viewpoint while conveying the same idea, such as 'it is not difficult' for 'it is easy'.
Question 3: Which technique uses an equivalent expression that differs structurally, often for idioms and proverbs?
- Equivalence (Correct answer)
- Calque
- Literal translation
- Borrowing
Correct answer: Equivalence
Equivalence renders idioms and set phrases using a culturally matching expression rather than a literal one.
Question 4: A 'calque' is a translation technique that:
- Translates the elements of a source expression literally to form a new target phrase (Correct answer)
- Keeps the source word unchanged
- Replaces a term with a synonym
- Drops culturally specific terms
Correct answer: Translates the elements of a source expression literally to form a new target phrase
A calque borrows a phrase by translating its components literally, like 'skyscraper' into 'gratte-ciel'.
Question 5: When a translator adds words to make implicit information explicit, this is called:
- Amplification (explicitation) (Correct answer)
- Reduction
- Borrowing
- Transposition
Correct answer: Amplification (explicitation)
Amplification or explicitation introduces details that were implied in the source to aid the target reader.
Question 6: Which technique removes elements considered redundant or unnecessary in the target language?
- Reduction (omission) (Correct answer)
- Amplification
- Calque
- Modulation
Correct answer: Reduction (omission)
Reduction condenses or omits source elements that are superfluous in the target text.
Question 7: The technique of 'adaptation' is most appropriate when:
- A cultural reference has no equivalent and must be replaced with a familiar one (Correct answer)
- The text is purely technical
- A direct word exists in the target language
- Grammar is identical in both languages
Correct answer: A cultural reference has no equivalent and must be replaced with a familiar one
Adaptation substitutes a source culture element with a target culture equivalent when no direct match exists.
Translation Techniques 2
What does the translation technique 'transposition' involve?