| Author(s) | Said EI-Shiyab |
| Affiliation | Associate Professor, Department of European Languages and Translation, College of Languages and Translation, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia |
| Title | Translation: Theory or Practice? |
| Source | Journal of King Saud University. Languages & Translation. Volume 12, No 1. (2000/1420) |
| Abstract | Writing on translation theory and the way it should be taught in schools or universities still appears to be dominated by rules fonnulated a long time ago on what is mainly typified as a description of a good translation. It is unfortunate that some translation theorists have taken the stance to declare that translation is a craft, ignoring the potentiality of creating a comprehensive theory of translation. In this paper, translation theory is not to be regarded only as an exercise focusing on language learning; it is a discipline in its own right. This paper argues that translation theory is an aid to the translator. It helps him capture the sense and the spirit of verbal and non-verbal elements in texts. Any attempt to teach translation without resorting to translation theory would fail to produce certain elements, which are essential to the effectiveness and efficiency of a text. Therefore, a good translator is one who can link between translation theory and translation practice. Translation theory enriches the translator's knowledge of the text. It provides insights into cross-cultural semantics and pragmatics. Above all, it equips the translator with adequate knowledge and understanding of the techniques and ways of approaching a text. |
