CENTRAL ASIAN JOURNAL OF LITERATURE, PHILOSOPHY AND CULTURE

Volume: 02 Issue: 05 | May 2021

TRANSLATION AS A BALANCE OF ART AND SCIENCE

Axunbabayeva Nargiza. Xamidjanovna, Namangan Institute of Engineering and Technology. senior teacher of the department of "Foreign Languages" e-mail: [email protected] Yunusova Nilufar Maxmudjanovna. teacher of the department of "Foreign Languages" e-mail: [email protected]

Received 26ndApril 2021, Accepted 28thApril 2021, Online 19thMay 2021

Abstract: Technical translation is the medium particular significance in countries with high through which language, discourse and volumes of multilingual speakers communication can exist in a global world. As Keywords: art, discourse, medium, multiple, technology creates easier and faster means of significance, linguistic features, global communication and the world moves toward communication becoming a global community, the need to INTRODUCTION communicate with people from multiple language Technical translation covers the translation of backgrounds also grows. Rather than working with many kinds of specialized texts and requires a high multiple languages, some have proposed the idea of level of subject knowledge and mastery of the using English as the primary language for global relevant terminology [1] and writing conventions. communication, making English the lingua franca— The importance of consistent terminology in or a common world language. However, English as a technical translation, for example in patents, as well lingua franca has various implications for the field of as the highly formulaic and repetitive nature of technical communication. Particularly for technical technical writing makes computer-assisted translators who are native speakers of English, there translation using translation memories and is the tendency to assume a unilateral stance on terminology databases especially appropriate. In his translation. In other words, the technical translator's book Technical Translation Jody Byrne argues that objective is to translate to and from English, with the technical translation is closely related to technical English message being the main focus. While communication and that it can benefit from research English is a language of global communication, it is in this and other areas such as usability and cognitive not the only language being used for communication, psychology [1]. highlighting the importance of moving away from In addition to making texts with technical jargon "singular perspective" of only communicating in accessible for a wider ranging audience, technical English. The concept of maintaining technical translation also involves linguistic features of communication in languages other than English is of

© 2021, CAJLPC, Central Asian Studies, All Rights Reserved 121 CENTRAL ASIAN JOURNAL OF LITERATURE, PHILOSOPHY AND CULTURE Volume: 02 Issue: 05 | May 2021, ISSN: 2660-6828 translating technological texts from one language to linguistic orientations for the actual translation another. process, an understanding of other subjects, such Translation as a whole is a balance of art and science as cognitive psychology, usability engineering, influenced by both theory and practice [2]. Having and technical communication, is necessary for a knowledge of both the linguistic features as well as successful technical translator [3]. Additionally, most the aesthetic features of translation applies directly to technical translators work within a specialized field the field of technical translation. such as medical or legal technical translation, which Stemming from the field of translation studies, highlights the importance of an interdisciplinary the field of technical translation traditionally background. Finally, the technical translators should emphasized much importance on the source language also become familiar with the field of professional from which text is translated. However, over the translation through training. years there has been a movement away from this Translators might read the document to traditional approach to a focus on the purpose of the understand what they will be translating, and translation and on the intended audience. This is determine the context of the text. In technical perhaps because only 5–10% of items in a technical translation, the register and tone would then be document are terminology, while the other 90–95% determined based on the type of text and the context, of the text is language, most likely in a natural style although generally the tones of technical texts are of the source language [2]. Though technical neutral. The register can be translation is only one subset of the different types of very formal and scientific, or made to be easily professional translation, it is the largest subset as far understood by the general public [4]. A translator as output is concerned. Currently, more than 90% of might also need to use documentation techniques all professionally translated work is done by find resource materials as aids in order to translate technical translators, highlighting the importance and the text. significance of the field. Translators may bounce back and forth between The role of the technical translator is to not steps, depending on their time constraints and their only be a transmitter of information, but also to be a experience in translation. For instance they might constructor of procedural discourse and knowledge revise at the same time as they are translating. A through meaning, particularly because often, the translator may also go through their reference technical translator may also take on the role of the materials and research depending on how familiar technical writer [3]. Research has demonstrated that they are with the type of text [4]. If they need to find technical communicators do, in fact, create new the closest matches for clients, they may meaning as opposed to simply repackaging old use translation memories or machine information. This emphasizes the important role that translation software. The translation process also technical translators play in making meaning, depends on the laws and ethics codes put into place whether they are doing technical translation in one in certain regions, as well as any censorship, which language or in multiple languages. might affect the outcome of the text. Much like professionals in the field of Revision may depend on the translator's technical communication, the technical translator experience or nature of the text. In translation must have a cross-curricular and multifaceted agencies, revisers may be hired to do the revising, background. In addition to grasping theoretical and but a freelancer may have to revise their own work.

© 2021, CAJLPC, Central Asian Studies, All Rights Reserved 2 CENTRAL ASIAN JOURNAL OF LITERATURE, PHILOSOPHY AND CULTURE Volume: 02 Issue: 05 | May 2021, ISSN: 2660-6828 In the case of a pharmaceutical text, depending on Just as important as proper translation of the laws, it would require revision since the linguistic qualities of languages is the subject of information in the source text could cause potential culture and how specific cultural features are harm if mistranslated. There also may be certain transferred and communicated in the field of style guides that the translation agencies may use technical translation. In fact, a mutual understanding that must be followed. of cultural components is just as important as Although technical writing and technical translation linguistic knowledge in technical translation [6]. This may be similar in the content they work with, they highlights the complicated nature of working with are different as translators translate what technical translation. Various cultures can exhibit the technical writers produce [5]. The purpose of drastic differences in how communication occurs, technical writing is to explain how to do even when both cultures are working with the same something. Technical translating is similar; however target language. One Canadian technical translator it attempts to communicate how someone else and consultant working with Russian colleagues explains how something is done. “The technical detailed difficulties while working with both North translator, like the technical writer, wants to produce American English and global English. Encountering a document that is clear and easy to discrepancies in rhetorical writing strategies, understand”. Translators may also differentiation in tones, document formatting issues, consider controlled language and whether it applies and conflicting conceptual goals for engineering in their target language culture. reports, the author emphasizes cultural practices, While no machine translation device is able to outside of the direct realm of linguistic forms, which replicate or replace the dynamics of a human can impede proper communication in technical translator [5], machine translation certainly poses translation [6]. important advantages. In fact, there are many In an example using a commonly translated practical uses for and implications of machine document, the United Nation's Universal Declaration translation for the field of technical translation. of Human Rights, a researcher used correlation Machine translation has major cost advantages as analyses, including semantic network analysis and compared to human translation. In fields of technical spatial modeling, to interpret data describing communication where information is constantly differences among seven different translated versions changing, for example, the stock market machine of the document. Demonstrating how culture plays translation when paired with human interaction. In a an important role in the process of technical mixed methods experiment, researchers first or jobs translation, the results of the study showed that while related to the weather, the cost of paying a human the translations were fairly similar, cultural subtleties translator to constantly update information would and differences existed in each language's translated become quite expensive. Additionally, situations that version. For example, across the seven languages, involve translating massive volumes of information common words such as "people", "individual", over a short period of time, or situations that require "man", "nation", "law", "faith", and "family' had speedy and frequent communication would benefit differing levels of importance in relation to other from machine translation. In such circumstances, a words in the language. While in Arabic the word machine translator would be advantageous from a "man" exhibited high levels of importance in the financial perspective [6]. text, other languages placed higher levels of

© 2021, CAJLPC, Central Asian Studies, All Rights Reserved 3 CENTRAL ASIAN JOURNAL OF LITERATURE, PHILOSOPHY AND CULTURE Volume: 02 Issue: 05 | May 2021, ISSN: 2660-6828 importance with words such as "person" or responsible for promoting his or her own safety in "individual". In another example, the English word the workplace, another culture perceived the science for "entitle" and the Chinese word for "enjoy" carried behind the process or document to be responsible for connotations attached to the concept of "rights" the promotion of safety. As risks, warnings, or [7], demonstrating a linkage of concepts unique to cautions are often important components of a each individual language. These slight differences technical document in need of translation, the demonstrate the culturally specific nuances that exist technical translator will understand how such across languages. As with any type of non-MT, it is cultural differences can affect the effectiveness of the still a process completed by human beings, making it translated message [8]. Avoiding assumptions about impossible for total objectivity. International a culture and allowing one's own knowledge base to technical communication cannot ignore cultural consider more diverse populations will create more differences, so seeing how the differences affect effective cross-cultural communication not only translation is fundamental for professionals in the when working with risky environments, but in field. general communication as well. Additionally, one's cultural knowledge base, or Some research has investigated the possibility lack thereof, can be detrimental to the effectiveness of a universal writing style in order to help with the of communication, particularly when communicating translatability of writing across different cultures and warnings or risk factors. Considering how differing languages. However, demonstrating the difficulty of knowledge paradigms as a result of cultural factors such a task, one researcher addressed the assumption can prompt people to respond in a variety of ways to that unambiguous wording eases effective different rhetorical strategies, particularly when communication. He gave examples from certain communicating messages containing warnings of Asian contexts when unclear communication was hazards or risks, understanding culture must be a actually helpful because the unequivocal language priority in technical translation. One researcher forced communicators to rely more heavily on oral found that a variance of definition of terms and discourse than on written documents [8]. The inconsistent paradigms of cultural knowledge example of the effectiveness about ambiguous highlight the need for a new delineation of what language not only shows problems with a universal technical writers consider as the target audience writing style for technical translation, but also while communicating risk factors. What might be reiterates another example of how culture plays an appropriate for one audience must be reconsidered important role in proper technical translation. for a culturally different audience [7]. Looking at a In an age where technology allows for specific example concerning the hazardous increased accessibility and faster communication, the occupation of mining, one piece of research technical translator must understand the role that demonstrates how different cultures different culture plays in how people interact with, react to, perceptions about safety information. Comparing and utilize technology and how these culturally risk communication in mining in the United States related concepts can affect communicated messages. and the United Kingdom, the researcher discovered Demonstrating how technology use differs variations among the perceptions of who is across cultures, one researcher created a presentation responsible for promoting safety in the workplace. that took a holistic look at preparing documents for While one culture felt that the user or worker was ethnically diverse audiences, pointing out other non-

© 2021, CAJLPC, Central Asian Studies, All Rights Reserved 4 CENTRAL ASIAN JOURNAL OF LITERATURE, PHILOSOPHY AND CULTURE Volume: 02 Issue: 05 | May 2021, ISSN: 2660-6828 linguistic topics that require special attention in proposed the idea of using English as the primary communication across cultures. For example, the language for global communication, making English presenter noted items to be considered including the lingua franca—or a common world language. measurement systems, types of graphics and However, English as a lingua franca has various symbols, and types of media presentation tools. The implications for the field of technical author also pointed out significant differences that communication. Particularly for technical translators would affect communication among English who are native speakers of English, there is the languages including paper layouts, spelling, tendency to assume a unilateral stance on translation. meaning, and use of humor [9]. This important and In other words, the technical translator's objective is practical information can be used by professionals to translate to and from English, with the English working with technical translation. message being the main focus. While English is a Additionally, technical translation involves language of global communication, it is not the only understanding how the Internet has influenced language being used for communication, different cultures across the globe. Varying highlighting the importance of moving away from languages, cultural influences on Internet usage "singular perspective" of only communicating in patterns, and media preferences force professionals English. The concept of maintaining technical in the field of technical communication to utilize a communication in languages other than English is of number of different strategies in order to effectively particular significance in countries with high reach diverse populations across the globe. With volumes of multilingual speakers. For example, international online populations the technical research has shown that the English-speaking bias, translator must be culturally diverse in a due to the language's position as the lingua franca, technological sense [10]. within technical translation and communication has Conclusion negatively affected native Spanish speakers in the Finally, as technology makes intercultural and United States [12]. Lacking both in quality and international communication easier, the technical quantity, user manuals for various electronic devices translator must understand intercultural exemplified sub-par translations into Spanish, communication as it relates to ethics. Traditional demonstrating the limited accessibility of certain models for ethical decision-making can be applied to technical documents to speakers of languages other difficult situations in technical translation, but the than English, perhaps partly as a result of English as professional must avoid stereotyping and the lingua franca. Finally, when discussing English ethnocentrism in technical communication and as a lingua franca it is noteworthy to mention what translation [11]. some researchers call "untranslatable" words and Technical translation is the medium through what that means for technical translation. Such which language, discourse and communication can words or phrases are composed of concepts that are exist in a global world. As technology creates easier not easily translated from one language to another and faster means of communication and the world [13]. A word is considered "untranslatable" when moves toward becoming a global community, the there is either no direct corresponding word in the need to communicate with people from multiple target language, requiring the word to be described language backgrounds also grows. Rather than or when important cultural connotations from the working with multiple languages, some have source language are not properly communicated

© 2021, CAJLPC, Central Asian Studies, All Rights Reserved 5 CENTRAL ASIAN JOURNAL OF LITERATURE, PHILOSOPHY AND CULTURE Volume: 02 Issue: 05 | May 2021, ISSN: 2660-6828 through the target word. For example, a common 7. Cabré Castellví, M. Teresa Terminology: example in English of an untranslatable word is the Theory, Methods and German word "schadenfreude", which means to Applications. Amsterdam, Philadelphia: John exhibit joy as a result of someone else's misfortune. Benjamins Publishing Company (1999). This word exemplifies untranslatability due to the 8. Nizkodubov G.А. Diversifikatciya lack of a corresponding word; however words can be opredeleniy ponyatiya «texnologiya» // untranslatable due to a lack of a corresponding word, Vestnik TGPU.– № 6 (108). – pp. 24–26. – 2011. loss of cultural meaning, or for both reasons. One 9. Bell, Roger T. Translation and Translating: study demonstrated that when faced with Theory and Practice. untranslatable words, technical translators resorted to London/New York: Longman (1991). avoidance tactics that evaded using the words 10. Antia, Bassey Edem Terminology and altogether [13]. Language Planning: an Alternative Framework of The implications of untranslatable words and phrases Practice and Discourse. Amsterdam: John Benjamins suggest that the technical translation may not benefit (2000). from only utilizing English as a lingua franca, and 11. Arnold, I.V. The English Word. Moscow: rather, should focus efforts toward having more “Visshaja Shkola” (1986). effective means of translating documents among 12. Baker, Mona In Other Words: a Coursebook multiple languages. on Translation, London: REFERENCES: Routledge (1992). 1. Larson, Mildred L., ed., Translation: Theory 13. Beaugrande, Robert de & Wolfgang and Practice, Tension and Interdependence. Dressler. Introduction to Text (Binghamton: American Translators Association Linguistics. London/New York: Longman Scholarly Monographs, 1991). (1981/2002). 2. Thompson, Daniel. "Theophilus Presbyter: 14. Bessé, B. de, Nkwenti-Azeh, B. and Sager, J Word and Meaning in Technical Translation." C. «Glossary of Terms Used in Terminology», Medieval Academy of America 42.2: 313–339 Linguistics, vol. 35, pp. 861-877 (1997). (1967). 15. Bowker L. „Terminology‟. In "Routledge 3. Finch, C. An Approach to Technical Encyclopedia of Translation Translation: An Introductory Guide for Scientific Studies, Second Edition" edited by Mona Baker, Readers. New York: Pergamon Press, 1969. Gabriela Saldanha. Adbington: 4. Budin, G. «A critical evaluation of the state- Routledge. 286 – 290 (2009). of-the-art of terminology 16. Halliday, M.A.K. Language as Social theory». ITTF Journal 12 (1–2): 7–23 (2001). Semiotic, London: Edward Arnold (1978). 5. Chestermann, Andrew & Wagner, Emma Can theory help translators? Manchester: St. Jerome (2002). 6. Carter, Ronald Vocabulary: Applied Linguistic Perspectives. London: Routledge (1998).

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