Tài liệu Các phương thức dịch cụm danh từ tiếng anh sang tiếng việt trong các văn bản công nghệ thông tin và truyền thông

THAI NGUYEN UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES TRINH THI THU HUYEN PROCEDURES FOR ENGLISH – VIETNAMESE NOMINAL GROUPS TRANSLATION IN INFORMATION AND COMMUNUCATIONS TECHNOLOGY DOCUMENTS (Các phương thức dịch cụm danh từ từ tiếng Anh sang tiếng Việt trong các văn bản công nghệ thông tin và truyền thông) M.A. THESIS Field: English Linguistics Code: 8220201 THAI NGUYEN – 2019 THAI NGUYEN UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES TRINH THI THU HUYEN PROCEDURES FOR ENGLISH – VIETNAMESE NOMINAL GROUPS TRANSLATION IN INFORMATION AND COMMUNUCATIONS TECHNOLOGY DOCUMENTS (Các phương thức dịch cụm danh từ từ tiếng Anh sang tiếng Việt trong các văn bản công nghệ thông tin và truyền thông) M.A. THESIS (APPLICATION ORIENTATION) Field: English Linguistics Code: 8220201 Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Hoang Van Van THAI NGUYEN – 2020 STATEMENT OF AUTHORSHIP I hereby certify that the research paper entitled “Procedures for English – Vietnamese nominal groups translation in information and communications technology documents” constitutes my own product, that where the language of others is set forth, quotation marks so indicate, and that appropriate credit is given where I have used the language, ideas, expressions or writings of another. This work has not been and will not be submitted for any other degree at any other institution of higher education. Author’s signature Trịnh Thị Thu Huyền Approved by SUPERVISOR Prof. Dr. Hoang Van Van Date: October, 2019 i ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the special and important persons who have contributed to different aspects of this study. They have all made it possible for me to commence and complete this paper. I would like to acknowledge and commend them for their help that has worked towards the success of this study. First and foremost, this research could not have been completed without the help of my supervisor, Prof. Dr. Hoang Van Van. I am deeply grateful to him for his keen interest in me at every stage of this research. His prompt inspirations, timely suggestions with kindness, enthusiasm and dynamism have enabled me to complete the study. I also wish to thank profusely all the lecturers at the Department of PostGraduate Studies, School of Foreign Langues, Thai Nguyen University for the variable knowledge they have provided me and for their help so that I can get over many difficulties for the past two years. Last but not least, from the bottom of my heart, I am extremely thankful to my beloved families and other friends for their constant encouragement throughout my research period. Once again, I thank all those who have encouraged and helped me to complete this study. ii ABSTRACT The main purpose of this paper is to investigate the appropriate application of translation procedures to handle NGs of high frequency in the chosen ICT documents. In order to achieve that aim, the basic theory of translation along with the general information regarding the definition, structure and classification of NGs are discussed. Besides, several translation procedures employed to deal with the predominant types of NGs in the selected text are analyzed. The findings reveal that eight main translation procedures are used to translate NGs of the source texts from English into Vietnamese including transposition, expansion, literal translation, recognized translation, paraphrase, reduction, transference and naturalization. To specify how and why the translation procedures are applied, each procedure is explained with typical examples extracted from the chosen documents. Furthermore, in particular cases, the combination of translation procedures is required to produce desired translated versions. To conclude the study, some implications, unpreventable limitations and suggestions for future studies are proposed for further improvement of NGs translation practice. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS STATEMENT OF AUTHORSHIP ..........................................................................i ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ......................................................................................ii ABSTRACT ............................................................................................................. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS .........................................................................................iv LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS..................................................................................vi LIST OF TABLES ..................................................................................................vii LIST OF FIGURES .............................................................................................. viii CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION ............................................................................ 1 1.1. Rationale of the study .................................................................................... 1 1.2. Aims of the study ........................................................................................... 2 1.3. Research questions ........................................................................................ 2 1.4. Significance of the study ............................................................................... 3 1.5. Scope of the study.......................................................................................... 3 1.6. Design of the study ........................................................................................ 3 CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW ................................................................ 5 2.1. Previous studies ........................................................................................... 12 2.2. Translation theory .......................................................................................... 5 2.2.1. Definition of translation .......................................................................... 5 2.2.2. An overview of technical translation ...................................................... 5 2.3. English NGs and procedures to translate English NGs ................................. 6 2.3.1. English NGs ............................................................................................ 6 2.3.2. Procedures to translate English NGs ...................................................... 8 CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY ......................................................................... 14 3.1. Method of the study ..................................................................................... 14 3.1.1. Definition of content analysis ............................................................... 14 3.1.2. Rationale for choosing content analysis ............................................... 15 3.2. Data collection ............................................................................................. 15 3.2.1. Data of the study ................................................................................... 15 3.2.2. Data collection procedure ..................................................................... 18 iv 3.3. Data analysis ................................................................................................ 19 CHAPTER 4. DATA ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION ...................................... 21 4.1. Introduction of the selected documents ....... Error! Bookmark not defined. 4.2. Data analysis ................................................................................................ 21 4.2.1. Classification of English NGs according to structure .......................... 21 4.2.2. Classification of English NGs according to translation procedures ..... 22 4.3. Applied translation procedures .................................................................... 24 4.3.1. Shift or transposition ............................................................................. 24 4.3.2. Expansion.............................................................................................. 31 4.3.3. Literal translation .................................................................................. 35 4.3.4. Recognized translation .......................................................................... 39 4.3.5. Paraphrase ............................................................................................. 40 4.3.6. Reduction .............................................................................................. 42 4.3.7. Transference.......................................................................................... 44 4.3.8. Naturalization........................................................................................ 46 4.3.9. Combination of different translation procedures .................................. 46 CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION ............................................................................... 48 5.1. Summary of the findings ............................................................................. 48 5.2. Implications for translators .......................................................................... 49 5.3. Limitations of the study ............................................................................... 50 5.4. Suggestions for further research .................................................................. 50 REFERENCE .......................................................................................................... 51 APPENDICE ........................................................................................................... 53 v LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ICT: Information and communications technology NGs: Nominal groups vi LIST OF TABLES Table 2.1: Examples of NGs post-modifiers ............................................................... 8 Table 4.1: Examples of NGs by converting plural into singular .............................. 25 Table 4.2: Examples of using transposition of nouns ............................................... 27 Table 4.3: Examples of using transposition of adjectives ......................................... 28 Table 4.4: Examples of using transposition of participle.......................................... 28 Table 4.5: Examples of using transposition of ‘s genitive ........................................ 29 Table 4.6: Examples of using transposition of complex pre-modifiers .................... 30 Table 4.7: Examples of using the combination of two transposition types .............. 31 Table 4.8: Examples of using expansion with NGs consisting of only a noun ........ 32 Table 4.9: Examples of using expansion with NGs consisting of an adjective, a noun or participle as pre-modifiers ........................................................................... 33 Table 4.10: Example of using expansion with NGs consisting of complex elements ..................................................................................................................... 35 Table 4.11: Examples of using literal translation with NGs consisting of a single noun ........................................................................................................................... 36 Table 4.12: Examples of using literal translation with NGs consisting of one noun as post modifiers ....................................................................................................... 37 Table 4.13: Examples of using literal translation with NPs have prepositional phrases consisting of complex elements as post modifiers ....................................... 38 Table 4.14: Examples of using recognized translation ............................................. 39 Table 4.15: Examples of using paraphrase ............................................................... 41 Table 4.16: Examples of using reduction .................................................................. 43 Table 4.17: Examples of using transference ............................................................. 45 vii LIST OF FIGURES Figure 4.1: Distribution of NGs structures found in the chosen English texts ......... 21 Figure 4.2: Distribution of translation procedures applied to translate NGs in the chosen English texts .................................................................................................. 23 viii CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION This chaper provides an insight into why the current research focuses on the translation procedures of different NGs’ constructions, the proposed aims and research questions which serve as the backbone for the thorough investigation process. Besides, the significance and scope of the study are also highlighted. Then, the way in which the entire research is built is given with general description for each chapter. 1.1. Rationale of the study It is evident that information and communications technology (ICT) has held an important and indispensable role in this integrated world. This field has a profound effect on not only the development of the globe in general but also the industrialization and modernization of Vietnam in particular. In order to be equipped with the cutting-edge intelligence of human beings in ICT aspect, there is an urgent need for Vietnamese to investigate the most advanced ICT materials which have frequently been written in English. This paves the way for the flourishing demands of ICT documents translated from English into Vietnamese. Noticeably, the translation process which requires plenty of qualities poses a number of challenges and obstacles on translators. Furthermore, technical translation emphasizing on the accuracy of single details than other types of translation has pushed communicators into difficulties in producing a translated version of high quality. Byrne (2006) indicated that the responsibilities of translators in tackling a technical document involve both adequate information transmission and the guarantee that the data conveyed is exploited in an easy, precise and effective way by readers. Importantly, several impediments have been revealed for translators on the way to fulfill the above missions. One among them is the distinctions of nominal groups (NGs)’ structure between English and Vietnamese. It is observed that the rendering of NGs which normally occur in a high frequency in technical texts encounters hindrances partly due to the contrast in the grammatical structure of NGs between the 1 two languages. For illustration, in English NGs structure, an adjective comes before the head noun whilst Vietnamese’s NGs constructions witness an opposite word order. In addition, terminology demanding a grasp of specialized knowledge is another factor leading to the confusion of communicators. For these reasons, NGs are chosen as the subject for investigation of this study. Thanks to the invaluable works of previous linguists, many translation procedures were defined so as to solve the mentioned problems. Nonetheless, the application of these procedures into a specific context varies from one to another and entails a deep study into every particular case. With the hope to contribute efforts to eliminate the above difficulties for the translation community in general and for individuals who are interested in ICT translation in particular, this thesis focuses on the application of translation procedures in NGs translation from English into Vietnamese. For the aforementioned reasons, relevant texts in the context of ICT has been chosen for thorough research and analysis. 1.2. Aims of the study The research is implemented to achieve the following aims:  to examine the frequency and the diversity of NGs’ structures found in the source texts;  to review translation procedures unveiled by antecedent linguistic experts to address NGs translation; and  to study the proper application of translation procedures of translating English nominal groups in ICT texts into Vietnamese. Of the three aims, the third one is considered the focus of the research. 1.3. Research questions The following questions are put forward for the research:  What are the frequency and diversity of NG’s structures in the source texts?  What are translation procedures applied to translating NGs’ structures of English ICT texts into Vietnamese? 2 1.4. Significance of the study Due to a variety of difficulties arisen in the translation process, this study is hoped to be a referential document for those dealing with the pool of translation. The analysis presented in the research may be used as a piece of consultative information when struggling with NG translation from English into Vietnamese. By connecting the translation procedures proposed by previous researchers and the actual NGs occurring in the purposively chosen texts, the relationship between the two subjects is highlighted. This is beneficial for the translation practice of linguistic students or beginning translators. Additionally, this study is managed to contribute to the translation community in the global scope in particular and in Vietnamese in general by stimulating more investigations performed in this field. 1.5. Scope of the study In terms of the subject, the research is aimed at discussing the translation of the nominal groups in some articles whose content is about the industry of ICT. Within the given period, the study is better to be conducted on such a scale so that the stated aims can be obtained adequately and effectively. Besides, the paper focuses on the translation process of the selected documents from English into Vietnamese. This means other linguistic phenomena are out of the scope of the study and are excluded. Added to this, the study gives priority to the way in which NGs are rendered from the source language into the target one. Consequently, only the translation procedures employed for NGs translation are mentioned and investigated. 1.6. Design of the study The paper contains four main parts: • Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION includes the rationale, objectives, research questions, significance and scope of the study; besides, a general structure of the research is also mentioned. • Chapter 2: LITERATURE REVIEW provides information regarding concerned paper conducted by previous scholars. In addition, the theory of translation 3 as well as an overview of NGs along with specific translation procedures to handle NGs translation from English into Vietnamese are supplied. • Chapter 3: METHODOLOGY specializes on the method of the study as well as the data collection and analysis process. • Chapter 4: FINDINGS AND DISCUSSIONS focuses on analyzing NGs and the procedures applied in NGs translation process. This is the main part of the paper. • Chapter IV: CONCLUSION sums up the study and points out the limitations and implications of the research. Also, recommendations and suggestions for future studies are proposed. 4 CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW This chapter reviews the literature regarding not only related studies which have been carried out by antecedent researchers but also basic translation theories accompanied with English NGs structure and their translation procedures. This background knowledge serves as a solid foundation for the deployment of the study. Specifically, relevant theories are offered from a general to a particular perspective. Firstly, some investigations into the concerned topic are furnished. Secondly, an overview of translation is briefly discussed. Then, a discussion of English NGs followed by useful translation procedures is provided. 2.1. Translation theory 2.1.1. Definition of translation It is undeniable that translation is a long-term aspect that attracts the attention and interest of various investigators all around the world. Hence, numerous attempts have been made to supply the most suitable definition matching the nature of the translation process. Bell (1991, p.20) defined this phenomenon as “the replacement of a representation of a text in one language by representation of an equivalent text in a second language”. In this conception, the expert emphasized the use of equivalence in the target language. In another research, Newmark (1988, p.5) refers to translation as the action of “rendering the meaning of a text into another language in the way that the author intended the text”. Through this definition, Newmark (1988) furnished another viewpoint that perceives the preserve of the author’s intention as the backbone for a translation product. Although different linguists possess diversified ways of expression to describe the translation, they share the same common in the belief that translation is a process of rendering text from the source language into the target language while the original message remains unchanged. 2.1.2. An overview of technical translation Technical translation is believed to make a marvelous contribution to the widespread of the modern invention as well as the teaching and learning of English 5 for specific purposes. Newmark (1988, p. 151) proposed that “Technical translation is one part of specialised translation; institutional translation, the area of politics, commerce, finance, government etc., is the other.” It can be seen that technical translation covering a wide range of various aspects is one of the primary translation branches. Accordingly, there is a must for communicators to qualify an understanding about a specific area to ensure that the whole source text is comprehended thoroughly and misconceptions are avoided in the translation production. Nevertheless, it is difficult for the translator to become a master in every area. Therefore, Byrne (2006) suggested that a grasp of the basic knowledge about science and technology can support translators in multiple types of technical translation. 2.2. English NGs and procedures to translate English NGs 2.2.1. English NGs 2.2.1.1. Definition of English NGs NGs, when it is viewed under the grammatical perspective, is the cornerstone in the structure of clause and sentence. This aspect of paramount importance is analyzed in different approaches corresponding with the English NGs’ concepts from distinctive angles. In regard to functions, NGs take the duty as “subject, object and complement of clauses and as complement of prepositional phrases” (Quirk et al. 1985, p. 245). In terms of formation, Greenbaum and Nelson (2002) defined a noun phrase as a word or a word combination in which noun or pronoun is situated in the center. In the matter of constituents, Haan (1989, p. 8) stated that “a noun phrase is a string of words which, syntactically is a constituent with an internal structure containing a determiner, a modifier and a head”. Biber, Conrad and Leech (2002) shared the same idea with Hann (1989) but put forward a more concrete interpretation that NGs are constituted by four main elements including Determiner, pre-modifiers, head (noun or pronoun), postmodifiers placed in the respective order. Among them, only the head is the compulsory part of a noun phrase. This definition will serve as the basis for the classification of NGs presented in the next section. 6 2.2.1.2. Classification of NGs Biber, Conrad and Leech (2002) introduced a system of NGs’ classification based on the types of pre-modifiers and post-modifier. According to this division, there are three main types of pre-modifiers involving adjectives, participles and other nouns, as displayed with instances below: • Adjective as pre-modifier Ex: An interesting book • Participial pre-modifier Ex: A written text That running girl • Noun as pre-modifier Ex: The cottage house As claimed by Biber and his colleagues, the circumstances of NGs with multiple pre-modifiers are not frequently detected in writing contexts. In spite of the absence of transparent rules, the author group still discovered some typical pre-modification sequence. • Adverb + adjective + head Ex: A pleasantly surprised present • Adverb + noun + head Ex: An increasing pollution level • Adjective + adjective + head Ex: Dark blue eyes In connection to post-modification, several categories of post-modifiers have been constructed at both clause and phrase levels (Biber, Conrad & Leech 2002). Clausal post-modifiers, in turn, are divided into finite clause which is simultaneously relative clause and non-finite clause which is in the structure of ed-clause, ing-clause and to-clause. Meanwhile, phrasal post-modifiers are commonly recorded in the form of either appositive phrases or prepositional phrases. Although adjective phrases can 7 also act as a post-modifier, these situations are rare to happen. The following table will provide a closer look at the organization of major post-modifiers in NGs. Types of modifiers post- Constituents Example The book which I left on the table relative clause Clausal post The amount of money spent on defense ed-clause modifier Phrasal modifier ing-clause The girl wearing a blue skirt to-clause The criteria to evaluate a book post appositive phrase The U.S.A president, Donald Trump preposition phrase The bookshop at the corner of the street Table 2.1: Examples of NGs post-modifiers The above classification can be used as a representative from the standpoint of almost all the proposed hypotheses. However, in some other material, ’s genitive is also included in the list of noun modification. Ex: I was distracted by the children’s noise. 2.2.2. Procedures to translate English NGs As stated by Newmark (1988), whilst translation methods are used to handle the whole text, translation procedures are applied to smaller units of the document. The author listed nearly twenty translation procedures in his work for appropriate application in particular contexts. Nonetheless, within the scope of this research, only translation procedures that may be exploited in our chosen text are discussed. 2.2.2.1. Literal translation Newmark (1988, p. 69) argued that literal translation differs from word-forword as well as one-to-one translation owing to its wide range from “one word to one word, through group to group, collocation to collocation, clause to clause, to sentence to sentence”. Although it is believed to be the basic translation procedure, it may not 8 work well with units above word level. That is the reason why other translation procedures are needed. Ex: Nguyen Cong Ai and Vu Tuan Phuong (1983) suggested that “the whole realm” is translated as “toàn bộ vương quốc này”. 2.2.2.2. Transference Through the analysis of Newmark (1988), transference, or it may be named emprunt, loan word or transcription is outlined as a procedure preserving the original words from the source text to the target text. This strategy is applied for proper nouns such as the name of people, places, addresses, private or public institutions and so on with the exception that recognized translation is available. Ex: The word “botnet” in “Details of the botnet information” was retained in the translated version as “Thông tin chi tiết về máy chủ botnet” (Nguyen Nhu Hiep, Truong Hanh Hoa, Tran Quynh Trang, 2013). 2.2.2.3. Shift or Transposition Vinary and Darbelnet (1995) asserted that transposition is a technique in which the part of speech is varied while the meaning is consistent. Agreeing with the outlook of the two writers, Newmark (1988) even extended the study of the procedure to a more comprehensive level. In Newmark’s point of view, a shift or transposition is a procedure creating the distinctions between the original and the target language in terms of grammar. This kind of translation procedure includes four main following subtypes according to Newmark’s classification. The first type leads to the alter in the number of nominal groups from singular into plural or in the order of adjectives in phrases construction. The second type is helpful in the case that there is no corresponding grammatical structure in the target language. The third type is employed when it is grammatically possible for literal translation to be utilized; however, it may cause unnaturalness in the target language. The fourth type is the use of a grammatical structure to compensate for the virtual lexical gap. 9