Everybody who is seriously acquiring a language different from their mother tongue (L2-acqusition) has to manage different problems in translating satisfactorily lexemes, phrases and sentences from one language system to another. Learners have to take into account both the denotative and the connotative meaning of the lexemes of the L2-language. Many phrases have to be utilized in fixed forms and are as arbitrary and conventional as words; therefore, they have to be learned like the vocabulary. Furthermore, there is seldom a semantic equivalence between two lexemes of different languages. Taking these facts into account, the structuralism’s hypotheses of perceiving every individual language as a system of its own, where each element has significance because of its relation to the other elements in the system, seems convincing (Foley 1997: 105; Loebner 2002: 153).
The most crucial representatives of relativistic theories (based on structuralism), like Franz Boas, Edward Sapir and Benjamin Lee Whorf, and their supporters believe in a direct connection between language (which conveys the fundamental ideas of a culture) and thought. They deduce from this hypothesis that because of the differing language systems every language culture has a unique worldview. Indeed, there are problems in perfectly transferring meaning by translation from one language system to another. Yet, can this phenomenon be perceived as evidence for the arbitrariness of lexicalization? Affirming the relativistic hypotheses proven to be true, will we have to negate automatically the universalistic assumptions of rational linguists, such as Noam Chomsky and Anna Wierzbicka, that all languages obey the same principles (Foley 1997: 81-82; Loebner 2002: 161)?
My research in the raised linguistic problems will deal with an exploration of different kinds of translation problems first. Afterward, I will demonstrate how these problems are connected to the theories of relativism and universalism, respectively, and discuss the effect that Berlin and Kay’s investigation of color terms had on relativistic and universalistic assumptions. Finally, I will give a summarizing conclusion.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Translation Problems in Reference to Thought and Reality
- Translation Problems
- Types of Phrasal Semantic Mismatch
- Types of Lexical Semantic Mismatch
- Forms of Addressing and Self-Reference
- Relativism versus Universalism
- Relativism
- Universalism
- Berlin and Kay's Investigation of Color Terms
- Translation Problems
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This research explores the complexities of translation, particularly focusing on the challenges arising from differences in language systems and their potential impact on cultural perspectives.
- Exploring the relationship between language and thought.
- Investigating different types of translation problems, including those related to phrasal and lexical semantics.
- Examining the contrasting theories of relativism and universalism in linguistics.
- Analyzing the significance of Berlin and Kay's research on color terms in relation to linguistic relativity.
- Assessing the impact of cultural influence on translation and the perception of reality.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Introduction: This chapter sets the stage for the research by examining the challenges of translating between languages, highlighting the importance of understanding both denotative and connotative meanings. The structuralist perspective, which views languages as unique systems, is introduced as a framework for understanding these complexities. The chapter raises questions about the potential connections between language, thought, and cultural worldview.
- Translation Problems in Reference to Thought and Reality: This chapter delves into specific translation problems, focusing on phrasal and lexical semantic mismatch. Examples from English and Japanese are used to illustrate how these problems can arise from different cultural perspectives and the specific ways in which languages structure meaning. This section also explores the role of collocations and idioms in translation.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Key terms and concepts covered in this work include translation problems, phrasal semantics, lexical semantics, relativism, universalism, color terms, linguistic relativity, cultural influence, and cross-cultural communication. The research examines how these concepts intersect to shape our understanding of language, thought, and the world.
- Quote paper
- Gunnar Linning (Author), 2007, Translation problems in reference to thought and reality, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/83357
