A study on Vietnamese - English translation of construction texts

1

VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY, HANOI
UNIVERSITY OF LANGUAGES AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES
FACULTY OF POST-GRADUATE STUDIES
******

LƯƠNG THỊ NGÂN

A STUDY ON VIETNAMESE – ENGLISH TRANSLATION
OF CONSTRUCTION TEXTS
Nghiên cứu việc dịch Việt – Anh các tài liệu trong chuyên ngành
xây dựng

M.A. Minor Programme Thesis

Field:

English Linguistics

Code:

60 22 15

Hanoi - 2011
Hanoi - 2011


2

VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY, HANOI

UNIVERSITY OF LANGUAGES AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES
FACULTY OF POST-GRADUATE STUDIES
******

LƯƠNG THỊ NGÂN

A STUDY ON VIETNAMESE – ENGLISH TRANSLATION
OF CONSTRUCTION TEXTS
Nghiên cứu việc dịch Việt – Anh các tài liệu trong chuyên ngành
xây dựng

M.A. Minor Programme Thesis

Field:

English Linguistics

Code:

60 22 15

Supervisor : Assoc. Prof. Dr. Lê Hùng Tiến

Hanoi - 2011


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LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
SL:

Source language

TL:

Target language

ST:

Source text

TT:

Target text

CT:

Construction texts

NP:

Noun phrase

VP:

Verb phrase


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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Declaration…………………………………………………………………………………......i
Acknowledgements …………………………………………………………………………...ii
Abstract ……………………………………………………………………………………...ii i
List of abbreviations………………………………………………………………………….iv
Table of contents ……………………………………………………………………………...v
PART ONE – INTRODUCTION ……………………………………………………………1
1. Rationale ………………………………………………………………………………...1
2. Aims of the study………………………………………………………………………...1
3. Scope of the study ……………………………………………………………………….1
4. Methods of the study……………………………………………………………………..2
5. Design of the study ……………………………………………………………………...2
PART TWO – DEVELOPMENT…………………………………………………………….3
CHAPTER I: THEORETICAL BACKGROUND …………………………………………3
I.1. Translation theory…………………………………………………………………………3
I.1.1. Definition of translation…………………………………………………………..3
I.1.2. Translation methods ……………………………………………………………..3
I.1.3. Translation procedures…………………………………………………………...6
I.1.4. Translation equivalence…………………………………………………………10
I.2. Technical translation and construction texts……………………………………………14
I.2.1. Technical translation…………………………………………………………….14
I.2.1.1. Definition of technical translation…………………………………………14
I.2.1.2. Technical translation methods……………………………………………..14
I.2.2. Construction texts………………………………………………………………15
CHAPTER

II:

AN

INVESTIGATION

INTO

VIETNAMESE

–

ENGLISH

TRANSLATION OF CONSTRUCTION TEXTS…………………………………………17


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II.1. Translation of construction texts………………………...…………………………….17
II.1.1. Translation of lexical items ……………………………………………………………17
II.1.1.1. Technical terms ……………………………………………………………………...17
II.1.1.2. Synonyms ……………………………………………………………………………..19
II.1.1.3. Word meaning and word form……………………………………………………..20
II.1.2. Translation of syntactic structures …………………………………………………….20
II.1.2.1. Lengthy and complex sentences……………………………………………………21
II.1.2.2. Wrong sentence structures………………………………………………………….21
II.1.2.3. The use of passive structures……………………………………………………….22
II.1.2.4. The use of verb phrases and noun phrases……………………………………….23
II.2. Problems in translation of construction texts…………………………………………24
II.2.1. Problems related to translation of lexical items………………………………..24
II.2.2. Problems related to translation of syntactic structures…………………………25
II.3.The major causes of the problems ……………………………………………………..28
II.3.1. Badly written source language texts…………………………………………....28

II.3.2. Insufficient language proficiency…………………………………………........29
II.3.3. Insufficient specialized knowledge……………………………………….........29
II.3.4. Lack of translation skills…………………………………………………….....29
II.4. Suggested for solutions to the problems………………………………………………30
II.4.1. Deal with problems related to lexical items……………………………………30
II.4.2. Deal with problems related to syntactic structures……………………………..31
PART THREE: CONCLUSION……………………………………………………………35
The implications for translation of construction texts……………………………………..35
Limitations of the study……………………………………………………...........................36
Suggestions for further research……………………………………………………………37
REFERENCES……………………………………………………………………………….38


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PART ONE - INTRODUCTION
1. Rationale
In a globalized world, translation has played an indispensable role in facilitating international
exchanges and cooperation in various fields, one of the most important of which is
construction. The construction industry has been crossing geographical boundaries for serving
clients globally. In Vietnam construction is one of the key industries in the country‘s
industrialization and modernization process since the beginning of the 20 th century. The next
following years may see the development in many fields of construction: house, road, bridge
and so on. In the open economy with many foreign investment projects and international cooperations, translation of construction texts, therefore, has become an urgent need to exchange
information and update modern constructional technology from developed countries.
Being a co-assistance of a translation agency, I am fully aware that the translation of texts in
construction is a difficult job. It requires the translators to continuously improve basic
knowledge in construction field as well as skill in dealing with situations relating to lexical
terms and syntactic structures…
That is the reason why I have decided to carry out a study on Vietnamese-English translation

of texts in construction for my MA minor thesis with the hope that the study can provide a
general view and give useful suggestions to translation of construction texts.
2. Aims of the study
The study is aimed at
-

Investigating fundamental aspects in translation of construction texts.

-

Identifying the problems relating to translation of construction texts.

-

Finding out major causes of the problems and suggestions for solution to the problems
in translation.

3. Scope of the study
As the translation of texts in construction belong to technical translation, it has it own
characteristics. The translators, therefore, has to try his/her best to fulfill his/her job. Within
the scope of this study, a study on the translation of construction texts is very exclusive to talk
about. However, due to the limitation of time, my minor thesis only deals with some aspects,


10

problems, major causes of problems and solution to the problems in translation of texts in
construction.
4. Methods of the study
In order to achieve the goal of the study, the main method is quantitative data analysis. Firstly,

the study goes through a number of materials on translation to build up a theoretical
background for the paper.
Then, as it was stated in the aims and scope of the study the writing bases on clarifying and
analyzing construction texts. Therefore, to accomplish the thesis, a flexible combination of
methods is employed, which embraces reference to publications, analysis of collected data,
and description of results.
5. Design of the study
The study consists of three main parts:
Part one is the Introduction which includes: rationale, significance of the study, scope, aims,
and design of the study.
Part two is the Development with two chapters:
Chapter 1 is theoretical background; it gives general information about translation theory,
technical translation, and construction texts.
Chapter 2 is the study; the main part of the study. It deals with an investigation into
Vietnamese – English translation of construction texts. In this chapter, some aspects and
problems in translation of construction texts are discussed. Then, major causes of problems
and suggestion for solution of the problems are analyzed and given.
Part three is the Conclusion. This part points out some limitations of the study and presents
implications for translation of texts in construction and suggestions for further research.


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PART TWO - DEVELOPMENT
CHAPTER I: THEORETICAL BACKGROUND
I.1. Translation theory
I.1.1. Definition
Translation has been approached from a scientific point of view by linguists through times and
thus has been defined variously. Different linguists have put the definition of translation in
various ways, among which the followings stand out.

We start with a definition quoted from the Encyclopedia of Language and Linguistics.
―Translation is the replacement of a text in one language (Source language –SL) by an
equivalent text in another language (Target language – TL)‖ and it is then followed by other
linguists, (Catford, 1965).
―Translation is the expression in another language (or target language) of what has been
expressed in another, source language, preserving semantic and stylistic equivalences‖
(Larson, 1984).
These definitions, in spite of slight differences in the expressions, there are still common
features which can be realized as the notion of movement between languages, content and the
responsibility to find equivalents that preserve the attributes or characteristic features of the
original text. It is a notion of equivalence, which will be taken into consideration in the next
part.
I.1.2. Translation methods
Translation methods are ways of translating for the widest range of texts or text categories.
They provide a framework of principles, restricted rules and hints for translating texts and
criticizing translations, a background for problem-solving.
Translation methodology is considered the utmost importance and the guideline in translation
job. The central problem of translating has always been whether to translate literally or freely.
The argument has been going on and on for a very long time. Some writers favoured some


12

kinds of free translation: the spirit not the letter, the sense not the words, the message rather
than the form, the matter not the manner.
Larson (1984) divides translation into two main kinds: literal and idiomatic. According to the
author, literal translation is form-based while idiomatic translation is meaning-based. For
some purposes, it is desirable to reproduce the linguistic features of the source text, as for
example, in a linguistic study of that language. Literal translation sounds like nonsense and
has very little communicative value. If two languages are related, the literal translation can

often be understood, since the general grammatical form may be similar. But if they are not
related, the literal choice of grammatical form and lexical items makes the translation sound
foreign.
In contrast to literal translation, idiomatic translation uses natural forms of receptor language,
both in the grammatical constructions and in the choice of the lexical items. A truly idiomatic
translation does not sound like a translation. It sounds as if it was written originally in the
receptor language. Therefore, it is recommended that a good translator should try to translate
idiomatically. However, translations are often a mixture of a literal transfer of the grammatical
units along with some idiomatic translation of the meaning of the text.
Newmark (1988) suggests 8 translation methods divided into two main groups called semantic
translation and communicative translation. Newmark put these methods in the form of a
flattened V diagram:
SL emphasis
Word-for-word translation
Literal translation
Faithful translation
Semantic translation
I.1.2.1. Word for word translation

TL emphasis
Adaptation
Free translation
Idiomatic translation
Communicative translation


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Word for word translation is interlinear translation in which words are translated by their most
common meanings, out of context. The SL word order is preserved.

I.1.2.2. Literal translation
In literal translation method, lexical words are again translated singly, out of context. The SL
grammatical constructions are converted to their nearest equivalent.

I.1.2.3. Faithful translation
A faithful translation attempts to reproduce precise contextual meaning within the constraints
of TL grammatical structures. It transfers cultural words and preserves the grammatical and
lexical abnormality
I.1.2.4. Semantic translation
Semantic translation is somehow similar to faithful translation. However it takes more account
of the aesthetic value of SL text. It is more flexible, less dogmatic than faithful translation.
Semantic translation admits the creative exception and makes some small concessions to the
readership
I.1.2.5. Communicative translation
Communicative translation attempts to render the exact contextual meaning of the original in
such a way that both language and content are readily acceptable and comprehensible to the
readership.
I.1.2.6. Idiomatic translation
This method reproduces the message of the original but tends to distort nuances of meaning by
preferring colloquialisms and idioms.
I.1.2.7. Free translation


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This reproduces the matter without the manner, or the content without the form of the original.
Usually it is a paraphrase much longer than the original.
I.1.2.8. Adaptation translation
Adaptation translation is the freest form of translation mainly used for plays and poetry:
themes, characters, plots preserved, SL culture converted to TL culture and text is rewritten.

I.1.3. Translation procedures
Definition of Translation procedures: Translation procedures are methods applied by
translators when they formulate equivalence for the purpose of transferring elements of
meaning from the source text (ST) to the target text (TT) (cited by Delisle)
More than one procedure can be seen in one translation, and some translations may result from
a cluster of procedures that is difficult to discern.
There is some disagreement amongst translation scholars about translation procedures. This
disagreement is not only terminological but also conceptual. There is even a lack of consensus
as to what name to give to call the categories, different labels are used (procedures,
techniques, strategies) and sometimes they are confused with other concepts. Furthermore,
different classifications have been proposed and the terms often overlap.
The following are the different translation procedures that Newmark (1988b) proposes:


Transference: it is the process of transferring an SL word to a TL text. It

includes transliteration and is the same as what Harvey (2000:5) named "transcription."


Naturalization: it adapts the SL word first to the normal pronunciation, then to

the normal morphology of the TL. (Newmark, 1988b:82)


15



Cultural equivalent: it means replacing a cultural word in the SL with a TL

one. however, "they are not accurate" (Newmark, 1988b:83)


Functional equivalent: it requires the use of a culture-neutral word. (Newmark,

1988b:83)


Descriptive equivalent: in this procedure the meaning of the CBT is explained

in several words. (Newmark, 1988b:83)


Componential analysis: it means "comparing an SL word with a TL word

which has a similar meaning but is not an obvious one-to-one equivalent, by
demonstrating first their common and then their differing sense components."
(Newmark, 1988b:114)


Synonymy: it is a "near TL equivalent." Here economy trumps accuracy.

(Newmark, 1988b:84)


Through-translation: it is the literal translation of common collocations, names

of organizations and components of compounds. It can also be called: calque or loan
translation. (Newmark, 1988b:84)



Shifts or transpositions: it involves a change in the grammar from SL to TL, for

instance, (i) change from singular to plural, (ii) the change required when a specific SL
structure does not exist in the TL, (iii) change of an SL verb to a TL word, change of
an SL noun group to a TL noun and so forth. (Newmark, 1988b:86)


Modulation: it occurs when the translator reproduces the message of the

original text in the TL text in conformity with the current norms of the TL, since the
SL and the TL may appear dissimilar in terms of perspective. (Newmark, 1988b:88)


Recognized translation: it occurs when the translator "normally uses the official

or the generally accepted translation of any institutional term." (Newmark, 1988b:89)


Compensation: it occurs when loss of meaning in one part of a sentence is

compensated in another part. (Newmark, 1988b:90)


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Paraphrase: in this procedure the meaning of the CBT is explained. Here the



explanation is much more detailed than that of descriptive equivalent. (Newmark,
1988b:91)
Couplets: it occurs when the translator combines two different procedures.



(Newmark, 1988b:91)
Notes: notes are additional information in a translation. (Newmark, 1988b:91)



Vinay and Darbelnet (1965) first proposed 7 procedures operating on three level of style:
lexis, distribution, and message.
The procedures were classified as direct or literal translation and oblique translation.
Literal translation occurs when there is an exact structural, lexical, even morphological equivalence
between two languages. According to the authors, this is only possible when the two languages are
very close to each other.
Oblique

translation

occurs

when

word

for

word

Direct

Indirect (Oblique)

1.Borrowing

4. Transposition

2.Calque

5. Modulation

3. Literal translation

6. Equivalence

translation

is

impossible.

7. Adaptation

Borrowing refers to words taken directly from another language. Generally, borrowings enter
a language through translation, and just as with false friends (false cognates) the translator
should strive to look for the equivalents in the SL that convey the meaning of the SL more
advantageously

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Calque is used when a foreign word or phrase is translated and incorporated into another
language. It is a special type of borrowing, consisting of borrowing an expression from the
source language and translating literally each element.
Literal translation means the direct transfer of the source text into the target language in a
grammatically and idiomatically proper way. This technique is used when it is possible to
transpose the source language message element by element into the target language and obtain
a text that is idiomatic.
Transposition replaces words from one grammatical word class with another without
changing the meaning of the message. For example, a verb is translated with a noun, a noun
with an adjective, an adjective with an adverb and so on.
Modulation is a shift in point of view, changing the point of view without changing the
meaning of the message. Vinay and Darbelnet identify different types of modulation, some of
which are abstract for concrete, cause for effect, means for result, a part for the whole,
geographical change
Equivalence accounts for the same situation using a completely different phrase. It generally
refers to the commonly accepted and used equivalents of idioms, proverbs, idiomatic
expression and lexicalized terms.
Adaptation refers to a shift in cultural environment, for instance, to express the message using
a different situation. Translators have to adapt a source language situation when it does not
exist in the target language or would be considered inappropriate in the target culture.
According to Nida (1964) there are three types of translation procedures: additions,
subtractions and alterations. They are used (1) to adjust the form of the message to the
characteristics of the structure of the target language, (2) to produce semantically equivalent
structures, (3) to generate appropriate stylistic equivalences and (4) to produce an equivalent
communicative effect.
A translator makes an addition when he needs to clarify an elliptic expression, to avoid

ambiguity in the target language, to change a grammatical category, to amplify implicit
elements or to add connectors


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Subtraction refers to the omission of words or phrases if they are not essential to the meaning
or impact of the text.
Alterations are changes made because of incompatibilities between the two languages due to
structural differences between the two languages such as changes in word order, grammatical
categories and semantic misfits, especially with idiomatic expressions.
In Delisle‘sopinion, translation procedures consider textual micro-units to say the result of the
translation functions in relation to the corresponding unit in the source text.
Delisle (1993) introduces some variations to the translation procedures and maintain the term
procedure for Vinay and Darbelnet‘s procedures. He also introduces a different terminology –
translation strategies, translation errors, operations in the cognitive process of tranlating. He
lists several of these categories as contrasting pairs. In his review of Vinay and Darbelnet
which are all classified as opposing pairs except for the procedures of compensation and
inversion such as: reinforcement/condensation and amplification/ economy, he reduces them
to a single pair: reinfocement/ economy. Reinforcement is to use more words in the TT than
the ST to express the same idea. He distinguishes three types of reinforcement: Dissolution,
explicitation, periphrasis. Economy is to use fewer words in the TT than the ST to express the
same idea. He distinguishes three types of economy: concentration, implication, concision.
The other categories Delisle introduces are:
Addition vs Omission: He defines them as unjustified periphrasis and concision and considers
them to be translation errors. Addition is to introduce unjustified stylistics elements and
information that are not in ST, omission is the unjustifiable suppression of the elements in the
ST.
Paraphrase: This is defined as excessive use of paraphrase that complicates the TT without
stylistic or rhetorical justification.

Discursive creation: This is an operation in the cognitive process of translating by which a
non-lexical equivalence is established that only works in context.
I.1.4. Translation equivalence


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Translation equivalence is the relationship between a source text (ST) and a target text (TT)
that allows the TT to be considered as a translation of the ST. The following are some
elaborate approaches to translation equivalence.
I.1.4.1. Nida and Taber : Formal Equivalence and dynamic Equivalence
Nida argued that there are two different types of equivalence, namely formal equivalence—
which in the second edition by Nida and Taber (1982) is referred to as formal
correspondence—and dynamic equivalence. Formal correspondence 'focuses attention on the
message itself, in both form and content', unlike dynamic equivalence which is based upon 'the
principle of equivalent effect' (1964:159). In the second edition (1982) or their work, the two
theorists provide a more detailed explanation of each type of equivalence.
Formal correspondence consists of a TL item which represents the closest equivalent of a SL
word or phrase. Nida and Taber make it clear that there are not always formal equivalents
between language pairs. Nida and Taber themselves assert that 'Typically, formal
correspondence distorts the grammatical and stylistic patterns of the receptor language, and
hence distorts the message, so as to cause the receptor to misunderstand or to labor unduly
hard'
Dynamic equivalence is defined as a translation principle according to which a translator seeks
to translate the meaning of the original in such a way that the TL wording will trigger the same
impact on the TL audience as the original wording did upon the ST audience. They say that
'Frequently, the form of the original text is changed; but as long as the change follows the
rules of back transformation in the source language, of contextual consistency in the transfer,
and of transformation in the receptor language, the message is preserved and the translation is
faithful'. (Nida and Taber, 1982:200).

I.1.4.2. Baker’s approach to translation equivalence
Baker‘s theory of translation equivalence combines both the linguistic and the communicative
approach. She explores the notion of non-equivalence at different levels and in relation to the
translation process.


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 Non-equivalence at word level
It means that the target language has no direct equivalence for a word which occurs in the
source text. Common problems of non-equivalence then involve such cases as culture-specific
concept, the SL concept is not lexicalized in the target language, the SL is semantically
complex, the SL and TL make different distinctions in meaning, the TL lacks a subordinate,
the TL lacks a specific term (hyponym), differences in physical or interpersonal perspective,
difference in expressive meaning, difference in form, difference in frequency and purpose of
using specific forms, the use of loan words in the source text
 Non-equivalence above word level
According to Baker‘s theory, non-equivalence above word level is referred to the differences
in collocation, idiom and fixed expression translation of the SL and the TL, which create
potential pitfalls and can cause pose various problems in translation.
 Grammatical equivalence
Differences in grammatical structures in SL and TL may cause considerable changes in the
way the information or message is carried across. For many cases, translators need to add or
omit functional word or even information in the TT because of the lack of particular
grammatical devices in the TL or the insufficient meaning in the ST. Baker focuses on
common grammatical devices such as number, tense and aspects, voice, person and gender
 Textual equivalence
Textual equivalence is achieved through the realization of cohesion or cohesive devices such
as reference, substitution, ellipsis, conjunction, and lexical cohesion from the source text into
the target text. It is up to the translator to decide whether or not to maintain the cohesive ties as

well as the coherence of the SL text. His or her decision will be influenced by three main
factors, that is, the target audience, the purpose of the translation and the text type.
 Pragmatic equivalence
Pragmatic equivalence is associated with implicatures and strategies of avoidance during the
translation process. Baker claims that the translator needs to work out implications of the ST


21

in order to get the ST message across. The role of the translator is to recreate the author‘s
intention in another culture in such a way that help the audience in the target culture
understand it clearly.
I.1.4.3. Koller’s categories of equivalence
Koller‘s (1989: 100-103) categories establish a descriptive framework which involves various
types of equivalence, among which are: denotative, connotative, text-normative, pragmatic
and formal equivalence


Denotative equivalence

Denotative equivalence is achieved when the same extra-linguistic content is expressed in both
source and target text (both texts refer to the same thing in the real world). This is the
referential identity between SL and TL units. This is equivalence of the extra linguistic content
of a text, otherwise called 'content invariance'


Connotative equivalence

Connotative equivalence is realized, for example, when the linguistics choices (register) in the
target text such as colloquial language, and style, archaic or modern language create similar

associations to the original ones. SL and TL words should produce the same communicative
values in the mind of native speakers of the two languages. Or the equivalence transmitted by
specific choices between synonymous expressions with respect to level of style (register), the
social and geographical dimension, frequency, etc.


Text-normative equivalence

The SL and TL words are used in the same or similar text types in their respective languages.


Pragmatic equivalence

Pragmatic equivalence means translating the text for a particular readership. The expectations
of the target readers have to be considered. It is also called ―communicative equivalence‖


Formal equivalence


22

Possibilities of formal equivalence with respect to categories such as rhyme, verse form,
rhythm, special stylistic forms of expression in syntax and lexis, word play, metaphor and so
on. The SL and TL have the same formal-aesthetic features-orthographic or phonological
features, etc.
I.1.4.4. Vinay and Darbelnet and their definition of “full equivalence”
Vinay and Darbelnet view equivalence-oriented translation as a procedure which 'replicates
the same situation as in the original, whilst using completely different wording' (ibid.:342).
They also suggest that, if this procedure is applied during the translation process, it can

maintain the stylistic impact of the SL text in the TL text. According to them, equivalence is
therefore the ideal method when the translator has to deal with proverbs, idioms, clichés,
nominal or adjectival phrases and the onomatopoeia of animal sounds.
With regard to equivalent expressions between language pairs, Vinay and Darbelnet claim that
they are acceptable as long as they are listed in a bilingual dictionary as 'full equivalents'
(ibid.:255). However, later they note that glossaries and collections of idiomatic expressions
'can never be exhaustive' (ibid.:256). They conclude by saying that 'the need for creating
equivalences arises from the situation, and it is in the situation of the SL text that translators
have to look for a solution' (ibid.: 255). Indeed, they argue that even if the semantic equivalent
of an expression in the SL text is quoted in a dictionary or a glossary, it is not enough, and it
does not guarantee a successful translation.
I.2. Technical translation and construction texts
I.2.1. Technical translation
I.2.1.1. Definition of technical translation
In terms of nature of SL text, Sofer (1991) classified translation into translation of literary
works and translation of scientific and technical matters. Technical translation covers
scientific and technical matters such as books written on science, techniques like books on
computers, instruction manuals on TV, washing machine, etc. Technical translation is usually


23

done by the one with significant knowledge of linguistics and background knowledge of the
specific technical field.
According to Newmark (1981), ―technical translation is one part of specialized translation;
institutional translation, the area of politics, commerce, finance, government etc…is the
other‖. He adds that ―technical translation is potentially non-cultural and universal because the
benefits of technology are not confined to one speech community. Worldwide technology is
developing rapidly and play an important role in human life. Demand for technology transfer
is of logical necessity among nations. The terms in technical translation, therefore, should be

translated.
Technical translation is primary distinguished from other forms of translation by terminology,
its characteristics, grammatical features (passive, nominalization, third person, empty verb,
present tense) and its technical format (technical report).
I.2.1.2. Technical translation methods
It is suggested by Newmark (1988) that when approaching a technical text, the translator read
it first to understand it, underline difficult words and then to assess its nature, its degree of
formality, its intention, the possible cultural and professional differences between the
readership and the original one. Next, the translator should give the translation the framework
of a recognized house-style. In addition, the translator has to take into account for everything,
every word, every figure, letter, every punctuation mark.
Newmark draws attention into two main points in the translation method of technical texts.
They are translating the title, and going through the text.
 Translating the title
Newmark assumes that all titles are either descriptive or allusive. A descriptive title succinctly
names the subject and states the purpose, while an allusive title is suitable for some
imaginative literature and popular journalism, and may have to be changed.


24

The title of the SL article is often two long by English standard and could be omitted. Besides,
the ―general‖ word is best slightly shifted in translation to application. In addition, the title has
transparent collocation.
He adds that most errors in technical translation are caused be misleading adjective plus noun
collocation for standardized terms. In non-standardized language, transparent or motivated
verb plus object, or subject plus verb collocation can also be misleading.
 Going through the text
It is recommended by Newmark that the translator should read the text through to get the gist
and underline all words and structures that appear to contain problems: new technical terms,

unfamiliar apparent transparent words with morphemes, figures and symbols, syntactic
ambiguity, verb forms.... The translator, then, can translate sentence by sentence, making
grammatical shifts to form natural language.
In technical translation , the translator can be as and free in recasting grammar (cutting up
sentence, transposing clause, converting verbs to nouns, etc.) as in any other type of
informative or vocative text, provided the original is defective.
Lexically, the main characteristic of technical language is its actual richness and its potential
infinity. The translator has to ensure equivalent level of register. Also he/she has to adjust the
translated sentence in each technical style.
I.2.2. Construction texts
Nowadays due to the dominant role of the global needs for construction, there is a great
opportunity for translation of construction texts (CT). The translation of CT is one part of
technical translation; therefore, it is distinguished from other forms of translation by its
characteristics, its terminology and syntactic features, etc.
Construction texts appear in different forms such as construction reports, construction
procedures and specifications, constructional contracts, constructional investment project,
construction tender documents and so on. In term of style, those texts are in neutral style, the
highest priority is given to denotational meaning. In addition, the language used in the texts is


25

usually precise and brief. However, the construction texts are usually written for a special kind
of readership, who is specialized in construction. Therefore, these documents are typically full
of technical terms and special expressions.
Generally, there have been always challenges in translating lexical items and syntactic
structures in CT. The translation of those documents requires a good understanding of the
basic principles and the correct use of its lexical items and grammatical structures.

26

CHAPTER II:
AN INVESTIGATION INTO VIETNAMESE – ENGLISH TRANSLATION OF
CONSTRUCTION TEXTS
II.1. Translation of construction texts
Translation is a very complicated process, it is complicated because it involves many aspects
that need to be paid attention and clarified by the translator during the translating process.
Concerning to translation of technical texts in general and technical construction texts in
particular, the documents are written for the experts or the ones specialized in the construction
field not for the lay people. The translator has to carefully take into considerations every
aspect in order to make it successful translation. Nonetheless, lexical items and syntactic
structures are the two main aspects that should be discussed and analyzed in the translation
process.
II.1.1. Translation of lexical items
Lexical items are bone of technical texts in general and technical texts in construction in
particular. They embody the process of knowledge distillation. In construction texts, a lot of
special expressions like acronyms, abbreviation, figures, symbols, and formulas etc are used.
Thus translating lexical items accurately is very important and it becomes the first and
foremost aspect that matters the translator.
II.1.1.1. Technical terms
As suggested by Newmark (1988), the central difficulty in construction text translation is the
technical terms, the new and difficult terminologies. In fact, there have been no translators
who are products of courses that provide technical translation training. Thus, translating
technical terms becomes a challenging matter for a translator of CT.
The following examples are highly specialized terms in construction. To render them into
English is not an easy task at all.
Vietnamese

English

Đầm lèn

Compaction


27

Đá dăm lu khô

Dry bound macadam

Đất gia cố guđrong

Tar-stabilized soil

Cốt liệu thô

Coarse aggregate

Mặt đường tấm đan bê-tông đúc sẵn

Precast slab concrete pavement

Vữa phun

Shotcrete

Máy đổ bê tông ván khuôn trượt

Slip-form paver

Khoan thăm dò địa chất

Geological drilling

Múi cấp phối

Grading envelope

Bê tông dự ứng lực

Pre-stressed concrete

Bó thép kéo sau

Post-tensioned tendon

Vôi sống

Quicklime

The following extract is another example:
Việc đo cao độ miệng lỗ khoan phải được thực hiện bằng máy thủy bình hoặc máy kinh vĩ.
Sai số giữa 2 lần đo không vượt quá  50 L mm , với L là khoảng cách từ mốc cao độ tới lỗ
khoan, tính bằng kilômét.
Khi công tác khoan được thực hiện trên các phương tiện nổi thì việc xác định cao độ miệng lỗ
khoan phải được thực hiện và tính toán theo công thức sau:
Zm = Zn - Hn

(1)

Trong đó:
Zm – Cao độ miệng lỗ khoan khi bắt đầu hoặc kết thúc khoan
Zn – Cao độ mặt nước ở cùng thời điểm đó (m)
Hn – Chiều sâu từ mặt nước đến mặt đất (đáy sông, đáy hồ....) khi bắt đầu khoan hoặc
kết thúc khoan (m).


28

Cao độ lỗ khoan phải được ghi chép đầy đủ vào nhật ký khoan và theo quy trình 22TCN2592000.
The terms in bold may be new and unfamiliar to a non-construction majored translator. He/she
may be confused in getting the meaning of these terms in the source texts, and choosing the
words in the target language so that the translation is correct may become challenging. It takes
the translator time and experience to find proper translated version.
Measurement of drill hole elevation must be carried out by the level or the theodolite. Error
span between two measurement times will not be over  50 L mm , with L is the distance
from the bench mark to drill hole calculated in km.
When drilling is carried out by floating means, identification of drill hole elevation must be
done and calculated based on the following formula:
Zm = Zn - Hn

(1)

While: Zm - Elevation of drill hole mouth when starting of finishing drilling
Zn - Elevation of water surface at the measurement time. (m)
Hn - The depth from the water surface to land surface (river bed, lake bed, etc) when
starting of finishing drilling (m).
Elevation of drill hole must be fully noted in the drill diary and based on procedure

22TCN259-2000.
II.1.1.2. Synonyms
According to Larson (1984:73) in any languages, there are synonyms which are words very
similar in meaning. Usually, the translator uses synonyms to avoid repetition and make the
texts natural to the English. However, these words may not have exact the same usage in
sentence and paragraph structures.
For example, the word ―giám sát‖ are translated by some synonyms like “to supervise”, “to
monitor”, “to watch over”, “to oversee”, and “to look out”. The word “thẩm định”/ “đánh
giá” can be translated by ―to evaluate”; “to appraise”; “to appreciate”; “to assess”; “to
rate”, etc.