A complex sentence is a polypredicative construction built up on the principle of subordin

24. Translation: Basic Definitions

Translation is a human activity known since ancient times and an interpreter or translator is among the oldest professions dating back to the biblical era and earlier. Usually when people speak about translation or even write about it in special literature they are seldom specific about the meaning. The presumption is quite natural – everybody thinks that they understand the meaning of the word. However, to describe and study translation intuitive understanding is not sufficient –what one needs is a definition.

So, how do you understand the term “translation”?

In professor Fyodorov’s definition translation is a recreation of the original by means of another language with the retained unity of form and content. It is a form of creative activity in the sphere of language. In this connection the task set before the translator is not word for word rendering of the original but its creative reproduction by means of another language. The aim of the translation is to acquaint the reader who does not know the language of the original with the content of the latter. To translate the original is to express its content exactly and completely by means of another language retaining the unity of form and content.

Translation is the replacement of a representation of a text in one language by a representation of an equivalent text in a second language. Ttranslation may be defined as the transfer of meaning from one language to another. Translation takes place in writing and interpreting is its oral counterpart. The two terms are often confused. At its best, a successful translation should read as if it were originally written in the new language.