Lecture 5. The Idiom of the Language (Source and Target Language)

Idiomatic language: what kind of language is it? Cultural patterns of discourse. Source Language Influence. Context. Word choice. Polysemy in translation. Case Study

Idiomatic language: what kind of language is it?

The idiom of a language, along with the concepts of equivalence and culture is central to theory and practice of translation. One of the sections of his book Translation Duff A. titles “Idiom: from one culture to another” thus emphasizing the interrelation between these concepts claiming that translation focuses on both the transfer from one language to another that from one culture to another.

Idiom. Definition.

Idiom n. 1. a phrase which means something different from the meanings of the separate words from which it is formed; 2. The way of expression typical of a person or a group in their use of language (Longman Dictionary of English Language and Culture)

2. Idiomatic adj. 1. of or containing an idiom To kick the bucket is an idiomatic expression. 2. (of a word, way of speaking etc) typical of the natural speech of a person speaking in their first language: a Frenchman who speaks idiomatic English.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary defines idiom as 1. Language of a people or country; specific character of this; form of expression peculiar to a language or person, peculiarity of phraseology approved by usage though having meaning not deducible from those of the separate words, characteristic mode of expression in music, art, etc.

Duff A. claims that idiomatic expressions as phraseological units including similes, proverbs, saying, jargon, slang, and colloquialisms, and phrasal verbs) are notoriously untranslatable: as good as gold, user friendly, the Big Apple, D.C., yuppie, etc. (1996, 11). Non-native speakers are at grave disadvantage dealing with them. Duff A. suggests the following ways of dealing with them if the expression cannot be directly translated:

- retain the original word, in inverted commas: ‘ yuppie’ (abbrev, of Young Upwardly-Mobile Professional –a young person in a professional job with a high income, especially one who enjoys spending money and having a fashionable way of life)

- retain the original expression with a literal explanation in brackets: Indian summer (dry, hazy weather in late autumn)

- use a close equivalent (talk of the devil = nebezpeka chatuye, literally “the wolf at the door”)

- use a non-idiomatic or plain prose translation: a bit over the top = more that reasonable, sensible, or proper)

Duff A. concludes that the golden rule is: if the idiom does not work in the L1 do not force it into the translation.

It is central for a translating practice and process to keep in mind that idiomaticity of language lies beyond the dictionary. Duff A. argues that translating them can not be solved merely by translating the surface meaning. Such conceptual aspects as tone, implication, hidden reference, metaphor, imagery – all those features of language which need to be not only translated but also interpreted.

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