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Article published In: Target
Vol. 13:1 (2001) ► pp.1–28

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The adequate translation as a methodological tool

Dante’s onomastic wordplay in English

 | University of Manchester, UK
Published online: 27 May 2002
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https://doi.org/10.1075/target.13.1.02cri
This paper argues that the question of theoretical translatability is crucial both to source-oriented and target-oriented approaches. Reflecting on translatability requires a discussion of Toury’s notion of ‘adequate translation’, which has two senses: the general or ideal approximation to source-text norms, and the tertium comparationis represented by a source-text-oriented translation (i.e. showing how the original ‘can’ be translated). It is argued that both senses have heuristic value in Translation Studies. The explanatory power of target-orientedness is demonstrated by discussing the various strategies pursued by seven Anglo-American translators of Dante who either re-create or avoid rewriting grotesque onomastic wordplay in Inferno. Zero translation policy of Dante’s names is not considered to be evidence of their inherent ‘untranslatability’ since for an empiricist nothing is untranslatable. Evocative names may be translated in a creative way provided the rewriter is willing (or allowed) to be innovative.
Résumé
L’article soutient que le principede la traductibilité est d’un intérêt crucial, tant pour les « sourciers » que pour les « ciblistes ». Au départ,il y a lieu deseréférer à la notion de ‘traduction adéquate’ (Toury); cette notion est douée de deux significations: le rapprochement général ou idéal de normes du texte-source, et le tertium comparationis constitué par une traduction orientée vers le texte-source (et chargé de montrer comment l’original ‘peut’ êtretraduit). Les deux significations ont une portée heuristique dans les études de traduction.D’autre part, l’orientation vers le pôle-cible possède à son tour une valeur explicative, ce qu’illustre l’analyse des diverses stratégies déployées par sept traducteurs anglo-américains de Dante, qui soit recréent, soit évitent la réécriture de jeux de mots onomastiques à caractère grotesque de L’Enfer.Quant à la traduction-zéro des noms, elle n’est pas un argument en faveur de leur ‘non-traductibilité’, puisqu’aux yeux d’un empiriste rien n’est proprement intraduisible. Des noms évocateurs peuvent êtrel’ objet d’une traduction créatrice, pourvuque le traducteur est disposé (ou autorisé) à innover.
Article outline
  • 1.Translatability and the notion of ‘adequate translation’
  • 2.Onomastic wordplay and the issue of (un)translatability
  • 3.Onomastic wordplay in Dante’s Inferno and the construction of a hypothetical ‘adequate translation’
  • 4.An explanation of the avoidance policy (or zero translation strategy)
  • 5.The rewriting of Dante’s onomastic wordplay
  • 6.Conclusions
  • Acknowledgements
  • Notes
  • References
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Cited by (2)

Cited by two other publications

Pablé, Adrian
2005. The importance of re-naming Ernest?. Target. International Journal of Translation Studies 17:2 ► pp. 297 ff. DOI logo
Ptaszyński, Marcin
2004. On the (un)translatability of jokes. Perspectives 12:3 ► pp. 176 ff. DOI logo

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