A study of the translation of architecture terms in the architects data neufert between english and vietnamese

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

VŨ HẢI YẾN

A STUDY OF THE TRANSLATION OF ARCHITE
TEMS IN THE" ARCHITECTS' DATA NEUFERT"
BETWEEN ENGLISH AND VIETNAMESE
(NGHIÊN CỨU CÁCH DỊCH CÁC THUẬT NGỮ)

2009


TABLE OF CONTENT
PART A: INTRODUCTION

1

1. Rationale

1

2. Scope of the study

2

3. Aims of the study

2

4. Method of the study

2

5. Design of the study

2

PART B: DEVELOPMENT
CHAPTER I: THEORETICAL BACKGROUND

4

I.1 Terminology

4

I.1.1 Definition

4

I.1.2 General features of terminology

5

I.1.3 Term creation

6

I.1.3.1 Primary and secondary term creation

6

I.1.3.2 Term formation in technology

6

I.1.3.3 Guidance on the creation of term

7

I.2 Translation theory

7

I.2.1 Definition of translation

7

I.2.2 Translation equivalence

8

I.2.3 Translation strategies, procedures, methods

9

I.2.4 Technical translation

11

I.3 Translation of terminology

11

I.4 Chapter conclusion

13

CHAPTER II: CHAPTER II: AN OVERVIEW OF ARCHITECTURE TERMS

14

II.1 Architecture terms possess typical features of terminology

14

II.2 Classification of architecture terms according to their structural patterns

15

II.2.1 Single terms

15

II.2.2 Compound terms

17

II.3 Chapter conclusion

21

CHAPTER III: THE TRANSLATION OF ARCHITECTURE TERMS

22


III.1 The translation of architecture terms of equivalence group

22

III.1.2 An overview of equivalence relationship in the translation of architecture
terms

22
III.1.3 The common strategies and procedures used in translation of Architecture

terms of equivalence group

24

III.1.3.1 The translation of single terms-Old words with new senses

24

III.1.3.2 The translation of compound terms by rank shift or transposition

25

III.1.3.3 The translation strategy which involves the deletion of "OF"

27

III.1.4 Concluding remarks

28

III. 2 The translation of architecture terms of non-equivalence group

28

III.2 .1The source of non-equivalence problem in the translation of Architecture
terms

29
III.2.2 The strategies, procedures and methods employed in dealing with non equivalence problem in the translation of Architecture terms

29

III.2.2.1 Translation of terms with transference procedure (the use of loan word) 29
III.2.2.3The translation of terms by paraphrase

31

III.2.2.4 The translation of terms with communicative method

32

III.2.2.5 Literal translation

34

III.3 Conclusion

35

PART C: CONCLUSION

36

I. The groups of terms and translation strategies and procedures used to translate
them

36
II. Suggestions for the methods, procedures and strategies

REFERENCES
APPENDICES

37


PART A: INTRODUCTION
1.

Rationale
English for specific purposes is now one of the greatest needs for students of all

majors. English for banking, English for tourism, English for law are all mentioned in

everyday life of students of each type. Although they are very difficult and challenging,
they have become popular in Viet Nam. There are still many majors that need ESP for their
own such as: English for accounting, English for advertising, English for computing and
English for building and constructing. Building and constructing is not a new major in
comparison with other majors like accounting or computing, but English for building and
constructing, in contrast, is a completely new for those who work in this field. The
problems do not lie in English itself, but in the great need for systematically translated
terms. Vietnamese architects, constructors need systematical materials which are in
Vietnamese to help them in their work, however, these materials mainly in English.
"Neufert", by Ernst and Peter Neufert, is a valuable English book for architects. It is
edited by many famous authors. Undoubtedly, it provides a lot of useful information in
architecture field. Therefore, students, teachers or even experienced architects need it. In
an effort to bring new knowledge to Vietnamese, many translators have tried to make it in
Vietnamese to provide students, architects and constructors an effective tool for their jobs.
However, translation in architecture field is not an easy task, the problem lies in the sharp
differences in English architecture terms and Vietnamese ones. Obviously, this will pose a
great obstacle to translators due to their insufficient knowledge about the two different subcultures of architecture. They may have to struggle to convey the true essence of each kind
of architecture terms from English in Vietnamese. Though, in Vietnam, translators do not
have to translate such architecture terms for clients, they still have to translate a number of
popular architecture terms for at least architecture-majored students or for those who work
in this field.
Having studied and compared the original and translated version by different
translators, I have decided to make a study on how Architecture terms in Neufert are dealt
with. In the hope that the study, titled”A study on the Translation of architecture Terms in
the "Architects' data Neufert" between English and Vietnamese”, may be of some help to
those who has been and will do translation, or are teaching in the field.

1

2.

Scope of the study
The study mainly focuses on the Architecture terms in the material “Neufert”. The

major aspects to be considered are their:
 classification of equivalence relationships
 structural patterns of AT in English
 their translation
3.

Aims of the study
 To work out the similarities and differences between English and their Vietnamese
equivalents.
 To draw out the strategies, procedures and methods that may apply to the
translation of architecture terms (especially to the translation of non-equivalence
terms in the English architecture terms into Vietnamese).

4.

Method of the study
4.1 Research questions:
a) What are the similarities and differences between English terms and their
Vietnamese equivalent?
b) What are strategies, procedures, methods that are appropriate to the translation of
English architecture terms in Neufert?
4.2 Research methods:
To carry out the thesis the author went through the following steps:
 Collecting and grouping English architecture terms in Neufert and their Vietnamese
equivalents for description, analysis and induction.

 Draw out strategies, procedures and methods in translation of architecture terms.
4.3 Data collection:
The English architecture terms studied are taken from “Neufert”, “English for

building and constructing” and their equivalents are picked out from the translation by
Vietnamese translators those who are architects and teachers in this field.
5.

Design of the study:
The study consists of three main parts, references and appendixes as follows:
+ Part A: Introduction
The rationale for the study, scope, aims, methods and design of the study are

orderly presented in this part.
+ Part B: Development

2


There are three chapters in this part:
Chapter I: Theoretical background
The theory of translation and terminology will be dealt with in this chapter.
Chapter II: An over view of architecture terms
Chapter III: The translation of architecture terms of architecture terms
 The translation of architecture terms of equivalence group
This chapter gives out an investigation into the equivalence between English and
Vietnamese translation of architecture terms in the Neufert. Accordingly, the research
focuses on the two main questions: the first one is how architecture terms in the Neufert are
currently translated and the second one what strategies, procedures, methods are employed.
 The translation of architecture terms of non-equivalence group

This chapter finds out how non-equivalence problems in the translation of
architecture terms in the Neufert are solved by available translation strategies, procedures,
methods.
+ Part C: Conclusion
The conclusion summarizes the strategies, procedures and methods of translation,
as well as, makes relevant suggestions.
The appendixes give more examples of different groups of architecture terms.

3


PART B: DEVELOPMENT
CHAPTER I: THEORETICAL BACKGROUND
I.1 Terminology
I.1.1 Definition:
Terminology has been defined by many different linguists to establish its structure
and meaning. According to Mr. Do Huu Chau (1981) "Terms are specialist word used
within a scientific field, a profession or any technological field". To identify technical
terms he also states: " Scientific and technical terminology consists of lexical units used to
denote phenomenal objects, activities... in industrial technologies and natural or social
sciences". Sharing the same points of view about some common features in content with
the definition by Mr. Do Huu Chau, Mr. Nguyen Thien Giap (1998) proposed a different
definition "Terminology, understood as a special linguistic unit of languages, consist of
word and fixed phrase that provides precise definition and objectives that belong to
particular scientific area".
These definitions, though, are at different time and by different people, all show
that there exist "special words in specialized fields or braches of human knowledge".
Therefore, there must be terms for mathematics, business, medicine ... which should be
distinguished from ordinary words. Indeed, Baker (1998: 261) says that: "Terms differ
from words in that they are endowed with a special form of reference, namely that they

refer to discrete conceptual entities properties, activities or relations which constitute the
knowledge space of particular subject field.
Further important differences between terms and words are:
1. Terms have special reference within a particular discipline whereas words
function in general reference over a variety of subject fields.
2. Terms keep their lives and meanings only for as long as they serve the system of
knowledge that gave rise to them.
In other words, terms together with words and proper names constitute the general
class of lexical items. Names refer individually to object and people; words refer arbitrarily
to general concepts while terms refer deliberately to specific concepts. However, the
boundary between terms and words is not a clear cut i.e. many terms become ordinary
words when they are closed to daily life and used with high frequency, and many words
become terms when they are used in specialized field.

4


I.1.2 General features of terminology
Terms and words obviously are different in that terms have special reference within
a particular discipline and surely they are not allowed to carry the speakers’ attitude,
figurative sense, compliment or criticism, then it should possess the following qualities:
accurateness, systematicism, internationalism, popularity and nationality as proposed by
Nguyen Thien Giap (1998), Do Huu Chau (1981).
I.1.2.1 Accurateness
A term needs to be accurate and clear because basically it reflects an exact concept
of a science. If a term is of absolute accuracy, people never mistake one concept for
another. Once a word has become term, it no longer has connotational, emotional meaning;
it also loses its polysemouness, synonymousness and antonymousness. In short,
terminology necessarily works on the principle that “once concept has only one term for it,
and one term indicates only one concept”. This relationship is called the one-to-one

equivalent between a concept and a term.
I.1.2.2 Systematicism
Any field of sciences has its own limited system of concepts, which are named by a
system of terms. Therefore, each term has its own position in the system of concepts and
belongs to a terminological system. The value of ech term is determined by its
relationships with other terms in the same system. As a result, a term loses its value when
isolated from its system. In short, a term has to be a dependent member of its system.
I.1.2.3 Internationality
Terms are used internationally because they are special words expressing common
scientific concepts to people of different languages. Therefore, it is useful to agree on
terms to be used among languages in order to push up the development of science. The
international links in science result in a number of terms presented in many different
languages. For example, video, radio, telephone… are found in French, German, English
and Vietnamese… with little difference in form.
I.1.2.4 Popularity
Terms need to be popular in the sense that they should be close to the language of
the masses, which is to say easy-to-remember, easy-to-understand and easy-to-understand,
because they will help to bring knowledge to and benefit men of all aspects of life.

5


I.1.2.5 Nationality
Though terms are special words used in specialized fields, they are surely part of
the national language. They, therefore, possess the colors, the characteristics of the national
language. In other words, they should be made from materials of the national language in
terms of lexicology, form and grammar.
I.1.3 Term creation
Terms are used to name the concepts, so whenever a concept appears, is made in a
culture, or translated to a new culture, it involves the creation of a new term to name it.

I.1.3.1 Primary and secondary term creation
Primary and secondary term formation is governed by different influences:
+ Primary term formation occurs when a newly created concept has to be named
while secondary term formation occurs as result of either (1) the monolingual revision of
given terminology, for example, the purpose of producing a standard document, or (2) a
transfer of technology to another linguistic community-a process which requires the
creation of new term in the target language.
+ Another fundamental differences between the two formation methods lies in the
fact that in primary term formation, there is no linguistic precedent although there are rules
for forming appropriate terms. On the contrary, in secondary term formation, there is
always the precedent of an already existing term formation in another language with its
own motivation.
+ Secondary term formation is more often subject to guidelines than primary term
formation which are on the basis of patterns terms and words formation already prevalent
in the subject field and natural language in question.
I.1.3.2 Term formation in technology:
One important feature of vocabulary in technology and in industrial application is
that they are relatively controlled and controllable. A large and heterogeneous population
is involved in technology and the terminology used also occurs in general speech situation.
Another important feature of technological terminology is its volatility (unlike the
relatively stable terminology of science). This instability is caused by changes in materials,
methods of production, design… and it is further accentuated in secondary term formation
where knowledge is transferred from one linguistic community to another and, therefore,
new terms are created in the target language.

6


Both primary and secondary term formation in technology suffer from a heavy
proliferation of variants and synonyms which appear either because of parallel industrial

development or in response to the need for popular versions of scientific terms and product
differentiation.
There is a co-existence of several methods of secondary interlingual term formation
including borrowing, loan translation, paraphrase, parallel translation, adaptation and
complete new creation. These methods may be used sequentially or simultaneously and
often give rise to several alternatives or competing new terms.
I.1.3.3 Guidance on the creation of term
+ Terms should consistently reflect some key features of the concepts they are
linked to in order to facilitate precise reference. At the same time, they should be as
economical as possible without giving rise to homonymy.
+ Terms should be lexically systematic and should conform to the phonological and
morphological rules of the language.
+ Terms must conform to the general rules of word-formation of the language that
is they should allow composition and derivation where appropriate.
+ The meaning of the term should be recognizable independently of any specific
context.
Those advices from International Organization for Standardization (ISO 1988)
(cited in Bac, N.T, 2003)
I.2 Translation theory
I.2.1 Definition of translation
Translation has been defined variously by different linguists through times.
Followings are some typical definitions:
According to Marlone (1988), “Translation is the expression in another language
(or target language) of what has been expressed in another, (source language) preserving
semantic and stylistic equivalences”. Bell (1991) says that “Translation is basically a
change of from. In translation the form of the source language is replaced by the form of
the receptor (target) language”.While Carford (1965) defines translation as “The
replacement of a text in one language (SL) by an equivalent text in another language
(TL)”. Hatim & Mason (1990), however, claim “Translating consists of producing in the
receptor language the closest natural equivalent to the message of the source language, first

in meaning and secondly in style”. Newmark (1995) simply defines “Translation as the

7


rendering of a written text into another language in the way the author intended in the
text”.
Those five definitions, in spite of slight differences in the expressions, share
common features that they all emphasize the importance of finding the closest equivalence
in meaning by the choice of appropriate target language’s lexical and grammatical
structures, communication situation and culture context.
I.2.2 Translation equivalence
Equivalence can be considered a central concept in translation theory. Therefore, it
is understandable that several linguists has made a great attempt in defining equivalence or
translation in terms of equivalence as Pym (1992) who has pointed to its circularity:
equivalence is supposed to define translation, in turn, defines equivalence. The followings
are some elaborate approaches to translation equivalence:
Nida (1964) distinguishes formal equivalence and dynamic translation as basic
orientations rather than as a binary choice:
- Formal equivalence is achieved when SL and TL words have he closest possible
match of from and content.
- Dynamic equivalence is achieved when the SL and TL words have the same effect
on their effective readers.
Newmark (1995: 48) sates: “The overriding purpose of any translation should be to
achieve “equivalence effect”, i.e. to produce the same effect (or one as close as possible)
on the readership of translation as was obtained on the readership of the original”.
According to him, equivalence effect is regarded as the desirable result rather than the aim
of any translation except for two cases: (a) If the purpose of the SL text is to affect and the
TL translation is to inform or vice versa; (b) If there is a pronounced cultural gap between
the SL and the TL text.

Koller (1979) considers five types of equivalence:


Denotative equivalence: the SL and the TL words refer to the same thing in the

real world.


Connotative equivalence: this type of equivalence provides additional values

besides denotative value and is achieved by the translator’s choice or synonymous words
or expressions.


Text-normative equivalence: The SL and the TL words are used in the same or

similar context in their respective languages.

8




Pragmatic equivalence: With readership orientation, the SL and the TL words

have same effect on the respective readers.


Formal equivalence: This type of equivalence produces an analogy of form in

the translation by their exploiting formal possibilities of TL, or creating new forms in TL.
Kade (1968) and other writers on lexical equivalence, in particular in the area of
terminology, categorize equivalence relationships as follows:


One-to-one: There is single expression in the TL for a single expression in the

SL


One-to-many: There is more than one expression in the TL for a single SL one.



Many-to-one: There is more than one expression in the SL, but there is only a

single expression in the TL that is equivalent to them.


Many-to-many: There is more than one expression in the SL and they are

equivalent to more than one in TL.


Whole-to-part/ Part-to-whole: A TL expression is only equivalent to part of the

concept designated by a single expression in the SL, or the equivalent in the TL has
broader meaning than the concept in the SL.


One-to-zero: There is no expression in the TL for a single expression in the SL.

The one-to-zero or nil equivalence problem has always been a big challenge to
even experienced translators in every field.
I.2.3Translation strategies, procedures, methods
In this part, we will present only translation methods, procedures and strategies that
match the content of the study, or can serve the aim of the research.
I.2.3.1 Literal translation
In order to have a deep understanding of what Literal translation is, it is useful to
have a look at what is word-for-word translation. According to Newmark (1995: 69),
“word-for-word translation transfers SL grammar and word order, as well as the primary
meanings of all the SL words into the translation”. This kind of translation is supposed to
be effective only for brief simple neutral sentence. While literal translation ranges from
one word to one word (hall-salle) through group to group (a beautiful garden-un beau
jardin), collocation to collocation (make a speech-fair un discour), clause to clause (when
that was done-quand cela fut fair) to sentence to sentence (The man is in the street-L’home
e’tait dans la rue).

9


I.2.3.2 Communicative translation
Communicative translation tries to render the exact contextual meaning of original
in such a way that both content and language are readily acceptable and comprehensible to
the readership. Newmark (1995: 42) says that in communicative translation, the translator
has the right to correct or improve the logic; to replace clumsy with elegant, or at least
functional, syntactic structure; to remove obscurities; to eliminate repetition and tautology;
to exclude the less likely interpretation of an ambiguity; to modify and clarify jargon, and
to normalized bizarreries of idiolect, i.e. wayward uses of language. In addition, one has
the right to correct mistakes of fact and slips, normally stating what one has done in a

footnote.
I.2.3.3 Transference
As Newmark (1981) puts it “Transference (emprunt, loan word, transcription) is the
process of transferring a SL word to a TL text as a translation procedure”. When it comes
to the role of a translator with respect to this translation procedure, he/she has to decide
whether or not to transfer a word unfamiliar in the TL. Generally, only cultural objects or
concept should be transferred to show respect for the SL’s culture. Words and expressions
that are normally transferred are: names of all living and most dead people; geographical
and topographical names including newly independent countries except for those which
already have recognized translation; name of periodicals and newspapers; titles of
untranslated literary works; plays, films, names of private companies and institutions,
public or nationalized institutions; street names, addresses, etc.
I.2.3.4 Shifts or transpositions
A “shift” (Catford’s term) or “transposition” (Vinay and Darbelnet) is a translation
procedure involving a change in the grammar from SL to TL. Newmark (1995: 85)
mention four sub-types of shifts: (1) the change from singular to plural or in position of the
adjective; (2) the change when a SL grammatical structure does not exist in the TL; (3) the
change where literal translation is grammatically possible but may not accord with natural
usage in the TL; (4) the replacement of a virtual lexical gap by a grammatical structure.
I.2.3.5 Paraphrase
Paraphrase is an amplification or explanation of the meaning of a segment of the
text. According to baker (1992:40), the main advantage of the paraphrase is that it achieves
a high level of precision in specifying propositional meaning.

10


I.2.4 Technical translation
Sofer (1991, cited in Bac,N.T.2003) approaches technical translation by
distinguishing it from literary translation “ The main division in the translation field is

between literary and technical translation” and “the translation of a text may be called
technical when it requires specialized terms in a particular field”. According to him, literal
translation covers such areas as fiction, poetry, drama and humanities in general and is
done by writers of the same kind in the TL, or at least by translators with the required
literary aptitude. Meanwhile, technical translation is done by a much greater number of
practitioners and is an ever-growing and expanding field excellent opportunities.
Newmark (1995: 151) differently distinguishes technical translation from
institutional translation “Technical translation is one part of specialized translation;
potentially non-cultural, therefore, universal”. He suggests that technical translation is
potentially non-cultural and universal because the benefits of technology are not confined
to one speech community. The term technical translation, therefore, should be translated.
In the contrary, institutional translation is cultural, so, in principle, the terms are transferred
unless they are concerned with international organization. Though having different
approaches to technical translation, the two authors both view it as specialized translation
with its essential element “specialized terms”.
I.3 Translation of terminology
I.3.1 Definition of neologisms
According to Newmark (1995:140) “Neologisms can be defined as newly coined
lexical units existing lexical units that acquire a new sense”. Neologisms are perhaps the
non-literary and the professional translator’s biggest problem. According to him, since they
usually arise first in response to a particular need, a majority of them have a single
meaning and can therefore be translated out of context, but many of them soon acquire new
meanings in the TL. Newmark (1995) also proposes twelve types of neologism ( Old
words with new senses; New coinages; Derived words; Abbreviations; Collocations;
Eponyms; Phrasal words; Transferred words; Acronyms; Pseudo-neologism; and The
creation of neologism) and the way to deal with each but only the ones relevant to the
study are presented below:

11

I.3.2 The translation of neologisms
I.3.2.1 Old words with new senses
These words, as claimed by Newmark (1995), do not normally refer to new objects
and processes, therefore, they are non-cultural and non-technical. They are usually
translated either by that already exists in the TL, or by a brief functional or descriptive
terms, for example, “structural support - đỡ kết cấu” or “canopy – mái che cửa ra vào”.
Existing collocations with new sense are a translator’s trap. They may be cultural or
non-cultural; if the referent (concept or object) exists in the TL, there is usually a
recognized translation or through translation. If the concept does not exist or the TL
speakers are not aware of it, an economical descriptive equivalent has to be given.
I.3.2.2 Collocations
Newmark (1995) says that new collocations (noun compounds or adjectives plus
nouns) are particular common in social sciences. Collocations or terms in architecture such
as “Compressive strength”, “Compound unit”, or “Covered porch” can serve as a good
example. These terms represent problems as some of them like “SFB instructions” do not
exist in TL. Therefore, in such cases, what a translator is expected to do is transfer them
and then add a functional-descriptive term. Otherwise, we might create our own
neologism, but it really is a challenging task.
I.3.2.3 Acronyms
Newmark (1995:200) defines an acronym as “the initial letters of words that form a
group pf words used (vertiginously) for denoting and object, institution or procedure”.
Sometimes, the acronym can be specially coined for the text and can be found there, so it
would be a waste of time if one tries to look for it in the numerous reference books.
Besides, there are many cultural reasons why the acronym may or may not be worth
transferring (depending on the standard contextual factors as readership, translation,
prospects…). In sciences, the letters are occasionally joined up and become
internationalisms, e.g, “laser”, “master” and analysis is required only for a less educated
TL readership. In translation, the importance of the acronyms decides on the way they are
translated. It can be transferred if they stand for institutions or names of companies. When

a political or social organization become important, it is common to transfer its acronym
and translate its name. The acronyms can be translated by a standard equivalent term, or a
descriptive term if the standard does not yet exist.

12


I.4 Chapter conclusion
We have finished reviewing the theoretical background on terminology, its general
features and translation of terminology. The translation theory, especially a variety of
relevant translation strategies and procedures also has been reviewed so that it can show us
how architecture terms are currently translated.

13


CHAPTER II: AN OVERVIEW OF ARCHITECTURE
TERMS
In this chapter, a brief introduction to architecture terms is given to examine the
modes of word formation which are used in Primary Term Creation.
II.1 Architecture terms possess typical features of terminology:
II.1.1 Accurateness
Architecture terms are emotionally neutral with denotative meaning and most of
them have one-to-one relationship with the concept they refer to.
Examples:
The term “Voltmeter” (vôn kế) refers to the only one concept that denotes an
instrument for measuring in volts the differences of potential between different points of an
electrical circuit.
Or the term “Hygrometer” (ẩm kế) refers to the only one concept that denotes An
instrument for measuring the degree of moisture of the atmosphere.

Similarly, there are enless examples of single meaning terms such as
“Thermometer” (nhiệt kế); “sound pressure meter” (đồng hồ đo áp suất âm thanh)… that
respectively refer to a single concept.
II.1.2 Systematicism:
An architecture terms take on a different meaning in the field of architecture. This
meaning is decided by its relations with other terms in the same system or by its position in
the system.
Example:
The term “section” means (mặt cắt) (not đoạn) when it is used in the field of
architecture terms; or the term “plan” means (mặt bằng) (not kế hoạch) in its relation with
the phrase “plan of stanchions” (mặt bằng cột).
II.1.3 Internationality
Architecture terms surely are used internationally. Though, they may appear in
similar or different forms in different languages, they refer to the same concepts that exist
in different cultures.
Example:
English

Vietnamese

French

Design

thiết kế

dresser

14

Architecture

kiến trúc

architecte

II.1.4 Nationality
Architecture terms are made up from the material of the language that contains
them. For example, to denote the small part of a building English language uses the term
“unit” whereas Vietnamese uses “chi tiết” with its own way of word formation, spelling,
pronouncing and writing.
II.1.5 Popularity
Many architecture terms have become so popular that they are no longer regarded
as technical terms but ordinary words in daily life of the user.
Example:
Floor (sàn)
Wall (tường)
II.2 Classification of architecture terms according to their structural patterns
Architecture terms are divided into two sub-groups according to their structural
features: single terms and compound terms.
II.2.1 Single term
II.2.1.1 Single term in form of a verb
Erect

Lắp/ dựng

Decorate

Trang trí

Fix

Cố định

Support

Đỡ

Excavate

Đào đất

Construct

Xây dựng

Build

Xây

Lay

Trải/ rải

Install

Lắp đặt

One important feature of these terms is that they are not “fixed” i.e. they can appear

either in the form of a verb or a noun at different time in the same text or in the same
sentence to avoid repetition. Almost all the verbs have their nouns to be used as
alternatives:
Verbs

Nouns

Erect

Erection

Sự lắp dựng

Decorate

Decoration

Sự trang trí

15


Fix

Fixation

Sự cố định

Support

Support

Sự đỡ

Excavate

Excavation

Sự đào đất

Another important feature of these verbs is that each verb usually goes with (in
collocation) one or two certain nouns. The followings are examples of verbs and nouns that
go together:
Excavate the ground

Đào đất nền

Construct the concrete foundations

Xây dựng móng bê tông

Fix the column base plates

Cố định tấm đế chân cột

Erect the steel columns

Lắp dựng các cột thép

II.2.1.2 Single term in form of a noun

The terms that are nouns (also including those deriving from verbs) can be divided
into subgroup as follows:
Sub-architecture terms
Many architecture terms are ordinary words that lose their normal sense and take
on the specialist meaning, e.g. the normal sense of “section” is “a part separated from
something; a division; a portion; a slice” (phần). While its specialist meaning is one of the
most important designs in constructing a building or a house (mặt cắt).Below are other
examples:
English terms

Vietnamese terms

Column

Cột

Unit

Chi tiết

Stress

Ứng suất

Structure

Kết cấu

Foundations

Móng

These terms may cause troubles for translators because words commonly met in
general English take on a specialized meaning within, say, architecture context. Though
the users already know the general meaning, he may be thrown into confusion when
encountering it in a context with totally different meaning that he has never experienced
before.

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High-architecture terms
Obviously, every subject has its own set of highly technical terms, which is an
intrinsic part of the learning of the discipline itself. Without background knowledge of the
field, it would be difficult for the users to understand these terms. For examples:
English terms

Vietnamese terms

Combustibility

Độ bắt lửa của vật liệu

Tongue

Mộng

Vault

Mái vòm

Illumination

Độ chiếu sang

Plumb-bob

Quả dọi

These highly architecture terms can be really problematic if the users are equipped
with little knowledge of both their subject discipline and of English.
II.2.1.3 Single term in form of an adjective
Unlike technical terms in the form of a verb, almost all the terms in the form of an
adjective do not have their nouns to be used as alternatives:
English terms

Vietnamese terms

Trabeated

Kết cấu dạng dầm cột

Framed

Kết cấu dạng khung

Arcuated

Kết cấu dang vòm

Corrugated

Lượn sóng

Longitudinal

Dọc

One important feature of these adjectives is that all of them usually collate with one
or two certain nouns to form collocations:
Internal/ external surface

Bề mặt trong/ ngoài

Longitudinal section

Mặt cắt dọc

Corrugated iron roof

Mái sắt lượn sóng

Machined flat

Bề mặt gia công bằng máy

We have studied single architecture terms that account for significant proportion of
the collected terms.
II.2.2 Compound terms
These are terms which are composed of two words or more; these words, which are

of different part of speech, combine and create terms that have the form of nominal group
(Haliday’s term).

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II.2.2.1 The nominal group
Before examining the terms, which appear in the form of nominal groups, we
would like to go through a brief investigation of the experiential structure of the nominal
group.
According to Halliday (1985: 180), the nominal group structure comprises the
Thing, commonly called head noun, preceded by various items including Deictic,
Numerative, Epithet, Classifier, and followed by Qualifier. The following table will
exactly illustrate structure:
Deictic

Numerative

Epithet

Epithet

Classifier

Thing

Those

two

splendid

old

electric

trains

Qualifier
with
pantographs

All these items functioning as pre-modifier and post-modifier will be briefly
presented in the following table:
Item

Function

Examples

The Deictic element indicates whether or not (1) This, these, my …
Deictic

some specific subset of the Thing is intended. It (2) A, each, every …
is either (1) specific or (2) non-specific.
The

Numerative

Numerative

element

indicates

some (1) One, two…

numerical feature of the subset: either (1) (2) First, second, few,
little, many …

quantity or (2) order, either exact or inexact.

This item, usually in the form of an adjective, (1) Old, short, heavy …
indicates some quality of the subset. This can be (2)Wonderful, splendid,
Epithet

(1) an object property of the thing itself; or (2) it silly …
may be an expression of the speaker’s subjective
attitude towards it.
The Classifier indicates a particular subclass of (1) Structural support

Classifier

the thing in the question. It can be (1) an (2) Frame construction
adjective or (2) a noun.
The Thing is the semantic core of the nominal

Thing

group, which may be common noun, proper

noun, or personal noun.

Qualifier

This

element

follows

the

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Thing

and Hard water occurs in


characterized it. It can be a relative clause or a areas

which

prepositional phrase.

salts

soluble

have

in

the

ground.
As far as Classifier concern, it needs more discussion, because apart from
adjectives and nouns which serve as classifier; verbs also enter into the nominal group,
functioning as Epithet or Classifier in one of the two forms:
(1)

present (active) participle, V-ing, e.g. insulating, as in insulating roof

(2)

past (passive, or intransitive active) participle, V-en, e.g. rolled, as in rolled

metal sheet.
When functioning as Epithet, these forms usually have the sense of the finite tense
to which they are most closely related: the present participle means “which is (was/will
be)… ing”, the past participle means “which has (had/will have) been …ed”.
Examples:
An insulating roof (a roof which is insulating)
Rolled metal sheet (a mental sheet which has been rolled)
When these form function as Classifier, they typically have the sense of a simple
present, active or passive: present (active) “which…s”, past (passive) “which …ed”.
Examples:
Tapering column (a column that tapers)
Covered porch (a porch that is covered)
Often the participle itself further modified, as in an architect-designed house, preexisting condition, a fast-moving train, a fund-raising activity.
Sometimes, the same word may function as either Epithet or Classifier, with

different meaning.
Example:
Fast in fast trains: fast serves as Epithet in the sense that it means “trains that go
fast”, and functions as Classifier since it classifies as subtype of train, that is “expresses
train”.
It is noted that usually several classifiers cluster around a thing to indicate
subclasses of more concreteness. Nouns, adjectives, participles, positioned near the Thing,
are most common classifier in English.
Example:
Wellness

office

visit

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Classifier (Cs)

Cs

thing

II.2.2.2 Architecture terms in the form of nominal group
A number of high-frequency nominal groups have been found among terms
collected for this study.
II.2.2.2.1 Term consisting of Classifier (noun) + Thing
These terms consist of two nouns with the first one functioning as Classifier. It
distinguishes the Thing (the second noun) form the other concept of the same group. For

example, roof in “roof beam” (dầm mái) helps to distinguish this type of beam from other
types such as “floor beam”(dầm sàn), “steel beam” (dầm thép), “concrete beam” (dầm bê
tông). Other examples of this group are:
Frame construction

(Xây dựng khung)

Plannar construction

(Xây dựng tấm phẳng)

Mass construction

(Xây dựng khối)

II.2.2.2.2 Terms consisting of Classifier (adjective) + Thing
A term of this group is formed by an adjective that serves as Classifier and the
Thing (the head noun).
Examples:
Uneven/ flat surface

Bề mặt không phẳng/ phẳng

Long/ short side

Cạnh dài/ ngắn

Spatial dimension

Kích thước không gian

Sectional area

Diện tích mặt cắt

The Classifier as mentioned in (II.2.2.1), can be further modified by another subclassifier that takes on the form of a noun or an adjective:
Rolled metal sheet

Tấm kim loại cán

Mental roof decking

Mái kim loại

External fire escapes

Lối thoát hoả hoạn bên ngoài

And several classifiers cluster around a Thing to indicate subclasses of more
concreteness like the followings:
II.2.2.2.3 Term consisting of Classifier/Epithet (present participle + thing)
In this group, some V-ing function as (1) Epithet and some as (2) Classifier:
(1) Vertical cladding panels are fixed (Cố định các tấm tường bao đứng). In this
example, cladding panels means the panels which is cladding vertically.

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(2) Load bearing corner unit (chit tiết góc chịu lực) = the corner unit which bears
load.

However, there are some others can be either Classifier or Epithet when they are
interpreted in different situations:
Insulating roof

Mái cách nhiệt

Tapering column

Cột tường tiết diện thu hẹp

II.2.2.2.4 Term consisting of Classifier/Epithet (past participle + thing)
Like V-ing participle, some V-ed function as either Classifier or Epithet, and when
it serves the role of Classifier or Epithet depends on different situations:
Suspended ceiling

Trần treo

Deposited materials

Vật liệu đóng cặn

Wooden joists

Dầm gỗ

II.2.2.2.5 Term consisting of Thing + Qualifier
The Qualifier in this group is usually “of noun phrase”:
Plan of a house

Mặt bằng của một ngôi nhà

Span of the arch

Nhịp của mái vòm

Back of the building

Tường hậu của toà nhà

Long axis of the building

Trục dài của toà nhà

Blocks of materials

Khối vật liệu

Factor of safety

Hệ số an toàn

II.3 Conclusion:
We have studied the structural patterns of the nominal group in English in general
and of architecture terms in the form of nominal group in particular. We also have tried to
classify and dividing them into groups namely “single terms” and “compound terms”.
Single terms are further grouped into sub-architecture terms and high-architecture terms,
and there are also some subgroups of terms under the head “compound terms”.
In the next part, we will study the translation strategies and procedures have been
used currently to translate architecture terms and then draw out the ones that may be best
applicable.

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CHAPTER III: THE TRANSLATION OF
ARCHITECTURE TERMS
III.1 THE TRANSLATION OF ARCHITECTURE TERMS OF EQUIVALENCE
GROUP
III.1.2 An overview of equivalence relationship in the translation of architecture
terms
From collected data we can group equivalence relationship into four categories,
excluding the one-to-zero which will be studied in chapter III:
+ One-to-one equivalence
+ One-to-many equivalence
+ Many-to-one equivalence
+ Many-to-one equivalence
The four following tables present some typical examples of each type:
One-to-one equivalence
Steel beam

Dầm thép

Structural support

Đỡ kết cấu

Compressive strength

Cường độ chịu nén

Still

Bậu cửa

Elevation

Mặt đứng

One-to-many
Section

Mặt cắt
Đoạn

Joint

Mối nối
Các đường hàn
Mái đón

Entrance Canopy

Lối vào chính
Mặt tiền nhà

Frontage

Khoảng đất mặt trước nhà

Many-to-one

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