Proverbs are extracts of life experiences, and they can explain much of life.
Below are some proverbs taken to explain some aspects of the translation
process:
A barber learns to shave by shaving fools.
Just like the case in every profession, novices should be given their first
opportunities by handling petite translation cases. On the one hand, a
translation trainer may begin with his/her trainees by using fabricated texts.
Unlike authentic texts that may be written by big shots in the different areas,
literary and non-literary fabricated texts which may be written by the trainer
himself lend themselves easily for translation. On the other hand, junior
translators are supposed to do translations at any rate and cost for whoever
wants a translation. A word of warning is necessary here: the translation
should be carried out only after ensuring fully that no serious damages will be
inflicted upon the client.
A burnt child dreads the fire.
Translation trainers should be very much careful not to upset, reproach, or
punish their trainees. By being not mindful of this pedagogical and
psychological axiom, trainers will negatively affect their trainees by turning
them more and more introvert and passive in the translation classroom. First
lessons should be of the encouraging sort, and students must be rewarded on
their achievements whatever the degree of success may be.
A chip of the old block.
It has very often been observed that the family has a role in the making and
shaping of translators. Just as the genes are responsible for passing a
particular quality onto the child from its parents, memes are also responsible
for transferring aspects of cultural evolution. The meme consists of any unit
of cultural information, such as a practice or idea, that gets transmitted
verbally or by repeated action from one mind of the family, or more, to another
(the child). Examples include thoughts, ideas, theories, practices, habits,
songs, dances and moods and terms such as race, culture, and ethnicity. Most
important of these in our special case are the ideas, thoughts, habits and
practices of translation. These memes get more and more refined with the
passage of time. It is worth pointing out that during what was called the
golden era of translation, culminating in the House of Wisdom, family
translators played a great role in the development of Arab and Islamic
civilization. This can have relevance to private and government translation
agencies by discovering and trying to promote the talents of those children.
A clean carpet often hides a dirty board.
To err is human, Pope says. And translations are full of errors of different
sorts. They pass unnoticed because the language of translation is semi perfect.
But these errors never escape an eagle-eyed critic who is well-trained and
proficient in the two languages. So, unless the translator is very much trusted
and tried, do not let yourself be cheated on by surfacely decorated,
embellished and ornamented translation. Translation frauds like “This book is
translated by a committee of university professors”, seen on some books
translated into Arabic, must be expected and dealt with properly by not buying
the book. Finally, all that glitters is not gold.
A hungry stomach has no ears.
Whether on the level of individuals or nations, it is uneasy to alleviate or
tame the hunger for translations. It has been noticed that translations at such
times found their way easily into the target cultures. But they go through a
very complicated process of acculturation and examination when the hunger for
knowledge and translation no longer exists. To use Venuti’s terms, foreignizing
is expected at the first phase, while domesticating is done at the second
phase.
Beggars must not be choosers.
Let those unindependent translators whose needs for money are much greater than
anything else understand that they cannot choose their material for
translation. They can only have the right to choose when they become
independent or senior translators, in case they work for a translation agency
or bureau.
Better an egg today than a hen tomorrow.
Novice translators must translate immediately at any cost and result and not to
put off things for tomorrow. It very often happens that such translators do not
practice translation in the hope that their translations may become better at
some time in the future. They are definitely right in this, but on condition
that they practice today.
By others’ faults wise men learn.
Translation trainees can learn translating by two things: practicing translation
and studying parallel texts and translation critiques. We have already talked
about the urgency of translating, and the second thing that should be
emphasized here is parallel texts in which STs and TTs are put together in one
book or two books. Parallel texts have the advantages of teaching trainees the
meanings of words, the structuring of sentences and expressions and the methods
of translating. These texts are now fashionable, and one can easily find poetry
collections and novels that provide original texts with their translations. In
addition to this, it is of maximum importance that trainees follow and read
translations critiques to see and understand the advantages and disadvantages
in translated materials. Such critiques offer invaluable explanations and
alternatives, and trainees can learn a lot from the ups and downs of other
translators.
Cut your coat according to your cloth.
It is no use for novices to try in their formative years to translate tough
names and subjects. While tough authors tend to employ the highest of their
competencies, tough subjects uneasily lend themselves to interpretation and
translation. Both tough authors and subjects need time to decipher their codes.
Don’t make a mountain out of a molehill.
During the learning and training period, junior translators do need to make a
mountain out of a molehill. They have the right to brag to their colleagues and
friends about what they are learning and doing. This is part of the human
nature, and has always been observed in the behaviour of skillful and
distinguished people.
Every sin carries its own punishment.
Yes. But while small sins are inexplicable and unforgiven, and deserve the
appropriate punishment, big sins committed in the translation of complex units
and structures are excusable and pardoned. The problem is that some trainees
commit different sorts of sins, and there may be a time when the trainer,
reviser and or teacher is unable to distinguish between big and small errors.
So trainees are advised to avoid committing the small sins!
If you want a thing well done, do it yourself.
Senior translators who have established themselves in the market must not
entrust their tasks to junior translators, especially when the translation
material and client are serious and important.
It is easy to despise what you cannot get.
Destruction is easier than building, and criticism is easier than production.
Finding faults with other people’s work has been noted to be carried out in
great cases and situations at relative ease and speed. However, critics,
revisers and translation trainers who are unable to display options and
alternatives are in matter of fact mere quibblers. They surely deserve the
charge of being jealous of the success of other people.
Jack of all trades and master of none.
Any aspiring translator who aims at recognition and success in his or her work
must specialize in one area or two.
Little and often fill the purse.
Junior translators must practice and learn at gradual and steady paces. They
must not take one big dose on one day and stop for a month. Gradualness also
means carrying out translations piece by piece. This will ensure accuracy,
organization and relaxation.
One is never too old to learn.
This is an instruction for all, junior and senior translators alike. There is
always something new to learn, or old to be remembered. Translation
conferences, workshops and forums offer a great deal to learn from them. There
is also the opportunity to learn and share new ideas and thoughts with other
people.
Prevention is better than cure.
Advance preparation and practice will surely save translators from any
translation difficulties and challenges they may face.
Prof. Kadhim Ali, Ph.D
Dept. of Translation, University of Basra, Iraq
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