Group 2:��Sense-for-sense translation

Names: André Murteira, Daniela Trovão, Rúben Gouveia, Mariana Carvalho, Ísis Gomes, Mariana Matos, Ana-Maria Paun, Sinem Özpamuk, André Custóias, Carina Ventura

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Presenter: Rúben Gouveia

Definition of sense-for-sense translation

It’s a type of translation in which the translator has freedom to play with words as long as they do not change the meaning of the source text.

When should we use sense-for-sense translation?

• In literary translation: When word-for-word reads awkwardly.
• Anytime there is a cultural background at stake.
• Anytime it is important for someone to fully understand the message, e.g. contracts.

When should we avoid sense-for-sense translation?

• In religious texts where it is explicitly not desired to change the meaning of anything.
• When we first begin translating some sorts of texts, since we should understand words themselves before the whole context e.g. the Chinese poem.

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What are the advantages of sense-for-sense translation?

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Sense-for-sense translation is more preferable by the majority of translators, because:

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• It conveys the meaning of the text;
• It reaches a wider audience;
• It helps readers understand deeply about the culture identities and differences;
• The grammar remains cohesive, which does not happen in word-for-word translation.

What are the disadvantages of sense-for-sense translation?

The disadvantages are:

- Focusing on the meaning too much can lead the translator to create a very different text from the original

- The text might lose its style, and consequently it might not represent the author’s “character”

- The original structure can be lost

- The original text can have many possible interpretations, and by paraphrasing it, the translator tends to transmit only their personal interpretation.