XII. Translation of Proverbs and Sayings

The last position is proved by the possibility of semantic rephrasing of the report of the source language text in the report of translation that exposes the commonness of the basic semes. Saving the method of description of situation implies pointing on the same situation, and identification of the described situations supposes that the purpose of communication of the original text is achieved by this.

For the second type of equivalence the identification in the original text and its translation of one and the same situation at the change of method of its description is typical. The universal character of relations between a language and extralinguistic reality serves the basis of semantic identification of different language texts. The second type of equivalence is presented by translations the semantic closeness of which to the source language text is not also based on the commonness of meanings of the used language devices. In similar utterances the most of words and syntactic structures of the original text do not find the direct correspondences in the text of translation.

In the second type of equivalence the general part of the content of the source language text and its translation does not only pass the identical purpose of communication but also reflect one and the same extralinguistic situation, i.e. the aggregate of objects and connections between objects described in the utterance. Any text contains information about something and is correlated with some real or imaginary situation. The communicative function of the text cannot be carried out differently as by means of the situation oriented to the report.

At such level of equivalence translations are accomplished when the more detailed reproduction of the content is impossible and also when such reproduction will lead a receptor of translation to the wrong conclusions, will cause quite the other associations than at the receptor of the original text, and, thus, will prevent the correct transmission of the purpose of communication.

The more complete reproduction of the content of the source language text does not mean the transmission of all the semantic elements of the original text. Saving the pointing on the identical situation is accompanied by considerable structural and semantic divergences with the source language text in translations of this type. One and the same situation can be described through different combinations of features peculiar to it. The possibility and necessity of identification of the situations described from different sides is the result of this. The sets of utterances, which are perceived by the native language speakers as synonymous ones, appear in a language, in spite of the complete lack of coincidence of their language devices. People are able to realize the identity of the situations described in different ways completely.

Thus, the relations between the source language text and the target language one is characterized by:

1) Uncompareness of lexical composition and syntactic organization.

2) Impossibility to link a vocabulary and structure of the source language text and its translation by the relations of the semantic rephrasing or syntactic transformation.

3) Saving the purpose of communication in translation.

4) Saving the pointing on the same situation in translation.

The comparison of the source language text and its translation of this type is characterized by the following features:

1) The absence of parallelism of lexical composition and syntactic structure.

2) The impossibility to link the structure of the source language text and the target language one by the relations of syntactic transformation.

3) Saving the purpose of communication and identification of the situation in translation that is the same in the source language text.

4) Saving the common notions by which the description of situation in the source language text is accomplished in translation.

The commonness of the basic concepts means saving the structure of a report, when one and the same signs are chosen for description of the situation in the source language text and the target language one. If in the previous types of equivalence the information related to what the content of the source language text is reported for and what is reported about in translation, then what is reported in the source language text is passed, i.e. what side of the described situation makes the object of communication.

In the fourth type of equivalence in the rank with three components of the content, which are saved in the third type, the considerable part of the meanings of the syntactic structures of the original text is reproduced in translation. The structural organization of the source language text gives the definite information included in the common content of the text translated. The syntactic structure of the utterance conditions the possibility of using the words of definite type in a definite sequence in it and with definite connections between separate words, and also greatly determines that part of the content, which comes forward on the first place in the act of communication. Therefore, the maximally possible saving of the syntactic organization of the source language text during translation promotes more complete reproduction of the content of the original text. Moreover, the syntactic parallelism of the source language text and its translation gives a basis for correlation of the separate elements of these texts. The use of the analogous syntactic structures provides the invariance of syntactic meanings of the source language text and the target language one in translation.

Thus, the relations between the source language text and its translations of the fourth type of equivalence are characterized by the following features:

1) Considerable and incomplete parallelism of lexical composition for the most words of the original text when it is possible to find the proper words with close content in translation.

2) The use of syntactic structures similar to the structures of the original text related to them by the relations of the syntactic varying that provides the maximally possible transmission of the meaning of the syntactic structures of the source language text in translation.

3) Saving the purpose of communication, pointing on a situation and method of its description in translation.

The less extent of invariance of the syntactic meanings is achieved by the use of the structures related to the analogous structure by the relations of the syntactic varying in translation at impossibility to save syntactic parallelism completely. Three basic types of such varying are marked out in the fourth type of equivalence:

1) The use of synonymous structures linked by the relations of the direct or reverse transformation.

2) The use of analogous structures with the change of order of words.

3) The use of analogous structures with the change of type of connection between them.

In the last, the fifth type of equivalence the maximal extent of closeness of the content of the source language text and the target language one, which can exist between texts in the different languages, is achieved. The relations between the original text and its translation of this type is characterized by the following features:

1) The high extent of parallelism in the structural organization of the text.

2) The maximal interrelationship of the lexical composition when the correspondences to all the words of the source language text can be found in translation.

3) Saving all the basic parts of the content of the source language text in translation.

The maximally possible commonness of separate semes that are the part of the meaning of the corresponded words in the source language text and the target language one is added to four parts of content of the source language text saved in the previous type of equivalence. The extent of such commonness is determined by the possibility of reproducing the separate components of meaning of words of the source language text in translation that, in the same turn, depends on how one or the other component in the words of the initial language and language of translation is expressed and how the necessity to pass the other parts of content of the original text influences the choice of words in translation in every case.

Thus, speaking about translating equivalence, it is foremost spoken about possibility to pass a source language text into the target language one in a maximally complete volume.

However, the linguistic originality of any text, orientation of its content to the definite audience who possesses background knowledge, cultural and historical features that are peculiar to it, cannot be recreated in the other language with absolute plenitude. It is the reason why translation does not suppose creation of the identical text and absence of identity cannot serve an evidence of impossibility of translation. The loss of some elements of the text translated during translation does not mean that this text is «untranslatable» as such loss is usually revealed when it is already translated and the target language text is compared with the original one. The impossibility to reproduce some features of the source language text in translation is the private display of the general principle of no identity of the content of two texts in the different languages. The absence of identity does not prevent translation with accomplishing its communicative functions for carrying out of which the source language text was created.

The specific feature of translation, that distinguishes it from all the other types of linguistic mediation, supposes that it targets at the competent replacement of the original text and that the receptors of translation consider it fully identical to the source language text.

The features of translation and types of equivalent relations between the source language text and the target language one considered above are conditioned by the specificity of translation as the linguistic phenomenon that takes place within the framework of interlingual communication. The general description of translation, that determines translation as the correlated functioning of two linguistic systems, and conclusions that arise from this determination spread on any act of translation.

The real translating activity is carried out by translators under various conditions; the texts translated are various by their subjects, language and genre belonging; translations are accomplished in a written or oral form; the different requirements are set to the translators in regard to the exactness and plenitude of translation etc. The separate types of translation require the special knowledge and abilities from a translator.

All these distinctions, whatever considerable they are, do not change the essence of the process of translation, its general linguistic basis. First and foremost, any type of translation remains translation with all its features determined by correlation of the used languages.

It has been noticed long time ago that wisdom and spirit of people become apparent in its proverbs and sayings, and knowing them contributes not only to better language mastering but also to best understanding the manner of thoughts and character of people. Comparison of proverbs and sayings of different peoples shows, how much they are alike, that, in its turn, promotes better mutual understanding. In proverbs and sayings the national rich historical experience is reflected, namely, related to the labour activity, way of life and cultural peculiarities. The correct and appropriate use of proverbs and sayings gives unique originality and special expressiveness to any language.

Using a proverb in a concrete situation, a talker tries to confirm and underline the essence of what was said. Availability of such accents is inevitable at any epoch; accordingly, proverbs and sayings were and will be in any language. Thus, it makes necessary for a translator to render them faithfully to bring their meaning to the readers.

It is necessary to mark that many English and Ukrainian proverbs and sayings are of many meanings that do them difficult for interpretation and comparison. Nevertheless, it is important to remember that English and Ukrainian proverbs and sayings often used various images for expressing one and the same thought. In its turn, these images reflect distinctions in the social order and way of life of two nations and are not absolute equivalents.

Each language has phrases and expressions that could not be understand literally, even if the meaning of every word is known and grammatical construction is clear. The whole meaning of such phrase remains incomprehensible and strange. The attempts of word for word translation of proverbs and sayings can lead to an unexpected and often ridiculous result. For example, the English phrase «not room to swing a cat» with literal Ukrainian meaning «немає місця, щоб розмахувати кішкою» corresponds to faithful Ukrainian expression «яблуку ніде впасти» or a phrase «to carry coals to Newcastle» with literal Ukrainian translation «возити вугілля до Ньюкаслу» corresponds to faithful Ukrainian expression «ходити в монастир зі своїм уставом» etc.

Proverbs and sayings are the widespread genre of verbal folk arts. Such expressive devices as an exact rhyme, simple form, brevity did proverbs and sayings firm, easily stored in memory and necessary for using in own speech.

Many proverbs and sayings appeared in ancient times when there was no written language. Accordingly, a question about sources of their origin is still opened. It is possible to outline such basic sources of origin of the English proverbs and sayings: folk, literary, biblical origin, borrowing and use of quotations of Shakespeare as proverbs and sayings.

It should be taken into account that proverbs are to be distinguished from sayings. The particular feature of a proverb is its completeness and didactic content. A saying differs by incompleteness of deduction and absence of instructive character. For example, «when pigs fly», in Ukrainian «коли рак на горі свисне» or «when two Sundays come together», in Ukrainian «коли Місяць з Сонцем зустрінеться».

One of the expressive devices by which firmness and memorization of proverbs and sayings are achieved is an exact or assonance rhyme. For example, «haste makes waste», in Ukrainian «поспішиш – людей насмішиш» etc.

The simple balanced form of proverbs and sayings is the most often used device. For example: «more haste, less speed», in Ukrainian «тихіше їдеш, далі будеш», «easy come, easy go», in Ukrainian «легко прийшло, легко пішло» or «як нажите, так і прожите» etc.

Brevity is the substantial aspect of the memorized utterances. The majority of proverbs and sayings contain no more than five words: «better late than never», in Ukrainian «краще пізно, ніж ніколи» or «practice makes perfect», in Ukrainian «перша чарка колом» etc.

It is possible faultlessly to assume that each proverb was created by a definite man in the definite circumstances, however, in relation to a great deal of old proverbs the source of their origin is fully lost. Therefore, it will be more correct to say that proverbs and sayings have the folk origin and their original source is found in the collective minds of people. In the great number of utterances that summarizing everyday experience, the meaning of words, obviously, developed in the form of a proverb gradually, without some obvious announcement.

The phrase «make hay while the sun shines», in Ukrainian «коси коса, доки роса», that has taken its origin from practice of the field works, is the example of such a proverb. Any farmer feels the rightness of this thought, not necessarily expressed by these words exactly. But since a great number of people expressed this thought by many different ways, it finally required the memorized or fixed form and began the existence as a proverb. Similarly, the utterance «don’t put all your eggs in one basket», in Ukrainian «ризикувати усім або поставити все на карту» arose up as a result of practical experience of trade relations.

On the other hand, it is similarly obvious that many proverbs were created by definitely smart people. For example, «the end justifies the means», in Ukrainian «мета виправдовує засоби», have resulted from the theology doctrine of the seventeenth century, or gold thought as «the wish is father to the thought», in Ukrainian «потреба – мати винахідливості», has been first spoken out by Julius Caesar.

But nobody can exactly say that these proverbs had not become the part of verbal tradition long before they got their written form. The use of proverbs attained the bloom in times of the great poet Shakespeare, and, probably, many of them, ascribed to him, existed much earlier, though in the less memorized or fixed form.

Another important source of the English proverbs is proverbs and sayings in other languages. However, it is difficult to be sure of an original source. If a proverb existed in a Latin, French or Spanish language before it became English, there is no confidence, that it has not been borrowed from some other language before. Probably, a proverb was English in the beginning, but it was not written down.

Thus, for example, the proverb «through hardship to the stars», in Ukrainian «крізь терни до зірок» sounds somehow foreign and looks like a proverb in a less extent that a Latin «per aspera ad astra» with the same Ukrainian meaning.

The large number of the borrowed proverbs remained in an authentic form, for example: «noblesse oblige», in Ukrainian «становище зобов’язує», or «in vino veritas», in Ukrainian «істина у вині».

The proverbs taken from the Bible are another type of borrowings, as the Bible was many times translated, and its wise utterances reflect consciousness of the ancient society. In ancient times the Bible was read very widely, so that many of its utterances became the part of public consciousness and many of proverbs from it were used in a daily speech. Nowadays, a great number of English proverbs are wholly taken from the Holy Writ, for example: «the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak», in Ukrainian «дух бадьорий, та немічна плоть» or «spare the rod and spoil the child», in Ukrainian «пожалієш різку, зіпсуєш дитину» etc.

Many utterances from literary works are used as proverbs, but not become them, remaining halfway between a quotation and a proverb, for example: «the wages of sin is death» (Romans), in Ukrainian «розплата за гріхи – смерть» etc.

Thus, the proverbs possess mobility and are in a permanent motion. Out-of-date proverbs are constantly added to them.

The often-used idiomatic expressions that look like proverbs must be separated from proverbs themselves. For example, the expression «to cry for the moon» is not a proverb as it does not give any piece of advice and does not contain warning. But it easily can be turned out into a proverb, if it will be given in a form of advice, for example: «don’t cry for the moon», in Ukrainian «не варто бажати неможливого» or «only fools cry for the moon», in Ukrainian «лише дурні бажають неможливого».

Thus, proverbs and sayings are inalienable attribute of folk art and the attribute of national culture, to which they belong. Many English and Ukrainian proverbs and sayings are of many meanings that make them difficult for interpretation. It is important to remember that English and Ukrainian proverbs were formed in different historical terms as well as different images were often used for expressing the similar thought. For example, a proverb: «the glass is always greener on the other side of the fence» has the word for word translation «трава завжди зеленіше по той бік забору», but there is no such a proverb in the Ukrainian language, where «краще там, де нас немає» is used.

A great number of proverbs and sayings are easily translated into Ukrainian, for example «seize the bull by horns», in Ukrainian «взяти бика за роги» etc. However, some of them require explanation, as they have nothing in common with the Ukrainian expressions, though their meaning may be guessed, for example, the most widespread saying «between the devil and deep blue sea», that in Ukrainian sounds as «між двох вогнів» etc.

Centuries-old experience of intercourse of the peoples who talked and wrote in different languages testifies that a good translator must not only understand the meaning of a text translated, but master the affluence of the target language as well. Thus, English language has its own order of words, and Ukrainian language has the other one. In the English phrase there can never be two negatives comparing with Ukrainian language.

The difficulties of translation of the English proverbs and sayings are not rare. Taking into account all the peculiarities of that or the other language, it is very difficult to translate what is considered to be a part of culture of one nation into the other nation language. For example, the meaning of the English proverb «the pot calls the kettle black» is clear to the English people, but this proverb seems to be new and somehow strange for the Ukrainians. It is necessary to find Ukrainian equivalent to make this proverb understandable for Ukrainian people. According to this proverb Ukrainian variant of translation can be «хто б казав» etc.

For better understanding, consider the practical use of proverbs and sayings in situations and their translation on the base of some example given below:

1) Custom is a second nature. – «Звичка – друга натура».

A Proverb in a situation: «A young woman wants her mother to move to town and live with her and her family. «If you live in town a bit longer, I’m sure you’ll like it». «No, I’m afraid I shan’t get accustomed to town life. I like the woods and the river. Custom is a second nature, they say»».

2) There is no smoke without fire. – «Немає диму без вогню».

A Proverb in a situation: ««Who told you this? Mary? I can’t believe that Paul could let his friends down», said Betty. «Believe it or not as you like, but there is no smoke without fire,» answered Mike».

3) Pride goes before a fall. – «Хто високо літає, низько падає».

A Proverb in a situation: «Mary boasted that she would be a scientist, yet she couldn’t enter the institute. «Remember, pride goes before a fall», her friend said to her».

4) Neck or nothing. – «Або пан, або пропав».

A Proverb in a situation: «He trained very much for the competition. «It would be neck or nothing», he said. He would break the school record in boxing and set a new one».

5) It is no use crying over spilt milk. – «Сльозами горю не допоможеш».

A Proverb in a situation: «There was a long silence, then he said, «Well, I judge there’s no use crying over spilt milk»».

6) The devil is not so black as he is painted. – «Не такий страшний диявол, як його малюють».

A Proverb in a situation: «When Victor failed in the examination, life suddenly seemed very hard. But his father said that the devil was not so black as he was painted, and that Victor must try and take the examination again».

7) Don ’ t trouble troubles until troubles trouble you. – «Не буди лихо, доки тихо».

A Proverb in a situation: «His heart felt heavy with the thought that something was about to happen. «Don’t trouble troubles until troubles trouble you!», said Mary angrily. And at once he felt a little better».

8) East or West, home is best. – «В гостях добре, але вдома краще».

A Proverb in a situation: «She was standing on the same bridge talking to Bob, whom she had not seen for five years. Well, East or West, home is best! She was happy to be at home again».

9) Appearances are deceitful. – «Зовнішність оманлива».

A Proverb in a situation: «He is not so quiet as he looks. His appearance is deceitful».

10) What is done cannot be undone. – «Що з возу впало, те пропало».

A Proverb in a situation: ««I am afraid, sir, that you have ruined a great career». «I suppose that is so», he answered with a sigh. «What is done cannot be undone»».

11) First think, then speak. – «Слово не горобець, вилетить, не спіймаєш».

A Proverb in a situation: «The favourite proverb of our teacher is «First think, then speak». Sometimes he says: «To speak without thinking is to shoot without looking»».

12) There ’ s many a slip between the cup and the lip. – «Не загадуй наперед».

A Proverb in a situation: «There’s many a slip between the cup and the lip! Who knows what may happen, Dick! Who knows whether you will be the chairman next year?».

13) He laughs best who laughs last. «Сміється той, хто сміється останнім».

A Proverb in a situation: «As he left them, he knew that they were laughing at him. But he knew also that «He laughs best who laughs last». «They think they caught me. I know that I have caught them», he thought».

14) Never say die. – «Ніколи не кажи «ніколи»».

A Proverb in a situation: ««I hate this old house. Why can’t we leave it», said Peter. «Never say die, Peter», said his wife. «We’ll get a new flat soon, you’ll see»».

15) It is the last straw that breaks the camel’s back. – «Остання крапля переповнює чашу».

A Proverb in a situation: ««Leave the room», Mr. Smith shouted angrily. It was the last straw that broke the camel’s back. «Leave the room at once and let me sleep». The boy went out and shut the door»».

16) The early bird catches the warm. – «Хто рано встає, тому Бог дає».

A Proverb in a situation: «Tom liked to sleep late. By the time he got up, Kate had come back with a basket full of mushrooms. «The early bird catches the warm», the mother said».

17) Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today. – «Ніколи не відкладай на завтра те, що можна зробити сьогодні».

A Proverb in a situation: «Mary is angry with Jane. This is what she says to her, «I don’t know anybody like you, Jane! Your favourite word is «tomorrow». It’s the first word you say when anybody talks to you about works. Remember the proverb – never put off till tomorrow what you can do today».

18) Let bygones be bygones. – «Що було, те пройшло».

A Proverb in a situation: ««Are you in love with him still?» «I don’t know. I want him to come back. If he does that, we’ll let bygones be bygones»».

19) To make a mountain out of a molehill. – «Робити з мухи слона».

A Proverb in a situation: «She wondered why he, who had not usually troubled over things of little importance, made such a mountain out of this molehill».

20) As you make your bed, so you must lie on it. – «Що посієш, те й пожнеш».

A Proverb in a situation: «No one must know – certainly not her father, who had warned her so seriously! She had made her bеd, and would have to lie on it».

There is a list of the widely spread proverbs and sayings below:

1. If you want a thing well done, do it yourself.

2. He who begins many things finishes only few.

3. Well begun is half done.

4. He who makes no mistakes makes nothing.

5. Choose a book as you choose a friend.

6. He that nothing asks, nothing learns.

7. He knows who speaks least.

8. Keep your mouth shut and your eyes open.

9. Live not to eat but eat to leave.

10. No living man all things can.

11. Everything comes to him who waits.

12. Do not cross the bridge before you come to it.

13. An apple a keeps the doctor away.

14. A good beginning makes a good ending.

15. A fortune favours the brave.

16. Wear the old coat and buy a new book.

17. You can’t eat your cake and have it.

18. First impressions are most lasting.

19. A good name is better that riches.

20. A tree is known by its fruit.

21. A good name is better than a good face.

22. To draw water with a sieve.

23. To pull chestnuts out of the fire for somebody.

24. Everything is easy after it has done.

25. Who knows most speaks least.

26. The greatest talkers are always the least doers.

27. What greater crime that loss of time.

28. If you run after two hares, you will catch neither.

29. A sleeping man is no better than a dead man.

30. Various are the tastes of men.

31. One day is worth two tomorrows.

32. A bad workman always blames his tools.

33. A barking dog does not bite.

34. Actions speak louder than words.

35. A friend in need is a friend indeed.

36. A friend is easier lost than to find.

37. A friend to everybody is a friend to nobody.

38. A man is known by his friends.

39. Before you make a friend, eat a bushel of salt with him.

40. Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.

41. East or West, home is best.

42. He is a good friend that speaks well of us behind our backs.

43. It is early bird that catches the warm.

44. Knowledge is power.

45. Quick at meat, quick at work.

46. The appetite comes with eating.

47. Saying is one thing and doing another.

48. Show me your company and I tell you who you are.

49. There’s no place like home.

50. Who likes not his business his business likes not him.

Дата добавления: 2014-12-23