Translation has been instrumental in developing and exchanging ideas between different cultures throughout history. All human communication is, in a sense, an act of translation, as each word or phrase can have different meanings and nuances. This process of interpretation affects both everyday language and literary translation. It is not only a way of writing but also a way of being and understanding, making it a central theme in translating a novel.
Literary texts, such as light novel translations, face unique challenges that distinguish them from the translation of other genres, such as academic or technical texts. While the latter prioritizes accuracy and clarity, literary translation must capture the original language’s musicality, metaphors, and emotional subtleties.
After all, it is fiction; therefore, it cannot be limited to a word-for-word translation. In this article, we will explore what makes literary translation quite complex, analyzing the techniques and strategies outstanding translators employ to overcome these obstacles and preserve the essence of the original works.
The art of capturing the author’s style and intention
To translate light novels, you must consider the original text’s style, tone, and rhythm. This involves grasping the words’ meaning and the author’s effect and intent. It’s important to stay true to the original text. At the same time, the translation should connect with the reader. It’s a process that requires a particular sensitivity to the author’s style and creativity that allows the aesthetic and cultural experiences to be recreated for the reader in the target language.
Translation has a spiritual function above linguistic and cultural differences. It should not just transfer meaning. It should also connect with the “intention” of the original work. This way, it seeks a deeper link between languages. Sometimes, it is necessary to sacrifice linguistic accuracy to achieve an experience like the one the reader would have with the original, which is an art itself.
Techniques and strategies for translating puns and cultural references
One of the central issues in translating works of fiction is the dilemma between being faithful to the original text and making the text understandable and enjoyable for the target audience. Some texts benefit from open translations, while others require more literalness to preserve their artistic structure. Let’s look at specific strategies some of the most prominent fiction translators employ in their texts.
Translation by cultural substitution
It is done by changing a cultural reference from the original text. This new reference should connect well with the target culture. For example, suppose the source text mentions a specific food uncommon in the target culture. In that case, the translator might substitute it with food that is more familiar to the target audience.
When a cultural reference is unclear to the audience, the translator can use a more familiar one. This new reference should create a similar emotional or intellectual response. While cultural accuracy is sacrificed, the desired impact is maintained.
A translator can use more general words when he cannot use specific terms directly due to cultural differences. The translator may opt for a broader term encompassing the original word’s meaning in these cases.
Paraphrasing translation using unrelated words
When a direct translation is impossible, the translator can paraphrase the idea using completely different words. The latter can help convey the underlying meaning even when exact terms do not exist in the target language.
Word games, for example, present significant challenges for translators. When it is impossible to translate a specific pun due to differences between languages, the translator may employ a different pun elsewhere in the text. The aim is to maintain the playful nature of the work, even if the specific content of the original play on words changes. In this way, the loss in one place is compensated by adding value in another.
When puns based on specific sounds are lost, the translator may insert alliterations, assonances, or similar sound patterns into other text parts. This way, musicality is preserved, even if precise puns are lost in translation.
Translating poetry involves deciphering the meaning and preserving the original’s rhythm, rhyme, and wordplay. Musicality and form are essential to the reader’s experience, making poetry translation a highly complex art. Hence, if the original rhyme scheme cannot be reproduced precisely, the translator can create a new rhythmic structure that produces a similar effect on the reader while maintaining the poem’s musicality even if the rhymes are not identical.
Similarly, prioritizing the comic effect over literality is often necessary when translating humor. Translators must be willing to reinvent sentences as long as the humorous spirit of the original is preserved. Sometimes, this means changing the words to achieve a similar reaction in readers.
Translation by illustration
If a physical entity or concept mentioned in the original text does not exist in the target language or culture, the translator can illustrate it. This method is less common but valuable for achieving clarity.
In this approach, the translator gives extra information or an explanation. This helps clarify a concept or entity that the reader may not know. Rather than simply translating the term or phrase, the translator offers a description or contextualization that allows the reader to understand better what is being communicated.
Imagine an author mentioning “a quetzal, the national bird of Guatemala.” Suppose the translator is working for an audience that is unfamiliar with this reference. In that case, they might illustrate the concept rather than simply translate “quetzal.” The translation could include a brief description such as: “A quetzal (a species of bird with colourful plumage that is the national symbol of Guatemala).”
Translation by omission
This strategy involves removing a term or phrase from the translation when deemed unnecessary or untranslatable. It may occur, for instance, when the content does not add significant value to the understanding of the text or when the phrase could be confusing or irrelevant to the target audience.
It is important to think of this strategy as a last option. It can change the meaning of the text. Omission can create gaps in the story or cause the loss of cultural details. We need to check if the missing term or phrase is important. This will help us understand the overall message better.
Therefore, when opting for omission, the translator must weigh the impact of this decision on the quality of the translation and the reader’s experience. An omission might be more acceptable in contexts where precision is not compromised. Still, it may be less suitable in literature, where every word can carry weight and serve a specific purpose.
Final thoughts
These strategies provide a flexible way for translators to handle language and cultural differences. This helps ensure that the translated text connects well with the target audience. If you’re interested in learning how to translate a novel, you should consider that it is an art that goes beyond words and requires creativity, sensitivity, and a deep cultural understanding.
It requires a balance between precision and creativity. Each strategy offers tools that translators can adjust based on the context. This helps keep the work’s essence and effectively reach the new audience. Thus, literary translation is an art that unites cultures, enriches languages, and transforms literature into a powerful bridge between diverse contexts.
