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Article published In:
Babel
Vol. 63:3 (2017) ► pp.364–378

Translation procedures

How should the translator deal with the source text and the target text during the translation process?

| King Abdulaziz University

Translation can be seen as a process through which the translator begins with the source text, with an attempt at analyzing this particular text into semantic construction. The translator then reconstructs the semantic construction concerned into proper forms of the target language, seeking to produce an equivalent receptor language text (Larson, 1998: 519). In practice, the translator places himself/herself between the source and target texts, moving from the former to the latter and vice versa. The present paper crucially addresses the stages through which the translator is required to pass in order to achieve an acceptable and appropriate translation. It considers each stage in sufficient detail, showing the significance of these stages for the purpose of achieving a successful translation project. Finally, the present paper argues that the translator has to pass specific steps for the sake of accomplishing an acceptable and appropriate translation and that cognizance of translation theories is crucial in carrying out translation procedures, specifically when adopting the translation strategy on which the whole translation project will generally be based.

Keywords: translation stages, translation theories, translation strategy, source text, target text
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Stages of translation
  • 3.Familiarity with the background information of the source text
  • 4.Analysis of the source text
  • 5.The process of transfer
  • 6.Production of the first draft of the target text
  • 7.Production of the second draft of the target text
  • 8.Testing the translation
  • 9.Translation theories
  • 10.Concluding remarks
  • References
Published online: 3 November 2017
DOI logo
https://doi.org/10.1075/babel.63.3.04alw
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