unit of translation
When a text is being translated it is usually segmented into smaller parts which are easy and convenient to translate. Such segments of a text are known as units of translation. V.N.Komissarov uses the term “переводема” to refer to this notion. One of the foreign pioneers of the theory of translation J. Catford introduced the term ‘rank of translation’ in his book “A Linguistic Theory of Translation” (London 1965) which was used in a similar meaning. According to S.B. Tyulenev, the unit of translation should be termed translateme (транслатема) and defined as a combination of a linguistic unit of the source language expressing a certain contextual meaning and the minimal corresponding linguistic unit of the target language with the same meaning .The term ‘unit of translation’ was first used by J-P. Vinay, J. Darbelnet who claimed that its size may be variable as it serves only practical purposes. In this connection P. Torop who investigates translation in close connection with language and culture points out that for a translator/interpreter it is necessary to operationally distinguish elements of culture and language both on the level of a text and the level of language units.it reasonable to keep apart three aspects of the unit of translation that should be discussed separately and not confused as they arouse their own particular problems:
(1) theoretical: its understanding and definition which should take into account the most important features of a unit of translation;
(2) size-of-the-unit: relation of a init of translation to language levels;
(3) operational: criteria applicable in the process of their identification in a SLT, i.e. segmenting a SLT into textual elements that are convenient to translate.
The definition of the unit of translation may be given from three points of view:
1) with reference to a SLT,
2) with reference to a TLT,
3) with reference to both a SLT and a TLT.
Within the above three approaches scholars may take into account
(1) theoretical: its understanding and definition which should take into account the most important features of a unit of translation;
(2) size-of-the-unit: relation of a init of translation to language levels;
(3) operational: criteria applicable in the process of their identification in a SLT, i.e. segmenting a SLT into textual elements that are convenient to translate.
The definition of the unit of translation may be given from three points of view:
1) with reference to a SLT,
2) with reference to a TLT,
3) with reference to both a SLT and a TLT.
Within the above three approaches scholars may take into account