When translating texts between languages, translators often run into the challenge of balancing the literal and figurative elements of the work. Though denotation is essential for staying true to an original plotline and concept, connotation is extremely significant in conveying nuanced aspects of a story’s deeper meaning to readers. Perfecting connotation is made more difficult by the fact that languages and cultures have different allusions, references, and idiomatic expressions which often necessitate variations between the original and target language of the translation for readers’ understanding.
To assess the level at which translators aim to eliminate or incorporate these cultural differences into translated texts, Lawrence Venuti of Temple University identified two methods of translation: domestication and foreignization.
Domestication of a foreign work entails the modification of culturally specific information to include references widely understood in the target language. For example, a French book likening someone’s attitude to cold January weather may be switched to reference a different month if the book were being translated into Spanish for distribution in Argentina, where it is warm in January. This would allow readers to still understand the insinuation that the character is being unwelcoming and stiff whilst utilizing their pre-existing notions of weather within their own environment. Proponents of this method believe that changing the specific content of a piece can enhance the audience’s ability to comprehend greater themes within the text without forcing them to align their mindsets to an unfamiliar culture. This strategy also operates on the assumption that readers have little knowledge of the original language’s society, which, if true, can be a considerable benefit. Critics of this method argue that complete cultural context is necessary for maximum accuracy in a translation and that attempting to make concessions for cultural neutrality weakens the work. For instance, an ancient Greek play may make a quick joke about a politician who was in power at the time. Though modern audiences may not be aware of who that politician was or their reputation, replacing their name with that of a current politician would arguably damage the authenticity of the piece since knowledge of present leaders is far beyond the scope of ancient Greek playwrights and could not possibly be included in their original writing.
Literary translation is an imperfect art that manages to connect humanity through the written word.
Meanwhile, foreignization seeks to retain most of the source material from the original language throughout the translation process despite cultural discrepancies that may arise. An example of this may be preserving the references within a novel in which a high school student discusses a local university rather than opting for replacement with a more recognizable college for the target audience. A foreignized approach aims to pay respect to the author by acknowledging the significance of the original culture regardless of international knowledge. Forcing readers to confront and overcome the initial barrier presented by foreignness is seen as a learning opportunity rather than a feature that would disincentivize the continuation of the text. Though proponents of foreignization embrace the discomfort that may come with a lack of cultural understanding, critics of this method believe that literary works should meet their audiences’ perceptions of their everyday world to limit confusion and focus more on larger thematic messages. To illustrate this, perhaps a character likened the texture of something to that of a mango. Foreignization supporters would believe that more description of the texture and inclusion of the mango would suffice to make this understandable to readers of a region where mangoes are not available, but critics would say that it is not relevant to maintain the specific fruit when it could be interchanged with a food item that the audience may be more familiar with. They are concerned that prioritizing the inclusion of these critical features reduces the overall interpretation of major abstract concepts.
Ultimately, most translated works rely on a mix of foreignization and domestication to pay homage to the origins of the translated content while making it digestible for different audiences. Acknowledging the cultural context of translated texts allows individuals to expand their realms of knowledge while making concessions for thematic precision, creating a greater appreciation for moral themes that transcend cultural barriers. Literary translation is an imperfect art that manages to connect humanity through the written word.
Journal of Literature and Art Studies (2018). DOI: 10.17265/2159-5836/2018.08.006