Question 1

Which of the following best explains the difference between a translation strategy and procedure?
A) A strategy is a higher-level approach to a text, while a procedure is a technique used at a specific point in the text
B) A strategy is the choice of text to translate, while a procedure is the selection of a specific wording
C) A strategy is a decision taken in advance of translation, while a procedure is part of the decision-making process

Accepted Answer

A translation strategy refers to the overall approach or plan for translating a text, while a procedure refers to a specific technique or method used at a particular point in the translation process. In other words, a strategy is a higher-level decision made in advance, while a procedure is a more specific application of that strategy.

Question 2

What are the two general types of translation described by Vinay and Darbelnet?
A) Direct and indirect translation
B) Direct and oblique translation
C) Literal and oblique translation

Accepted Answer

Vinay and Darbelnet describe two general types of translation: direct translation where the target language follows the grammatical and semantic patterns of the source language, and oblique translation where the target language adapts to the target culture and context to convey the same meaning as the source language. Direct translation is also known as literal translation, but this term is not used by Vinay and Darbelnet. Therefore, the best choice is B (Direct and oblique translation).

Question 3

Which of the following is correct?
A) In English, pizza is a borrowing while feng shui is a calque
B) In English, pizza is a calque while feng shui is a borrowing
C) In English, both pizza and feng shui are borrowings

Accepted Answer

Both "pizza" and "feng shui" are examples of borrowings in English. "Pizza" comes from Italian, while "feng shui" is borrowed from Chinese. A calque involves the direct translation of the elements of a word into the borrowing language, which is not the case for either of these terms.

Question 4

What does the term 'translation shift' mean?
A) A textual equivalent which is different from the formal correspondent of the source language item
B) A non-obligatory lexical or grammatical change that occurs in the move from source to target text
C) Both a and b

Accepted Answer

Translation shift refers to both A and B, which means that it encompasses any changes or deviations that occur when translating a text from the source language into the target language. These changes may be due to differences in grammar, syntax, culture, or other factors that affect the meaning and intended audience of the text.

Question 5

What does the term 'markedness' mean?
A) A target text segment that is highlighted by the translator
B) A choice or pattern of choices that stands out in a text
C) A very formal word in a text

Accepted Answer

Markedness refers to a linguistic term where certain choices or patterns of choices are considered more noticeable or salient than others. These choices are marked, while the others are unmarked. For example, in English, the past tense is marked with "-ed," while the present tense is unmarked. This means that when a verb is used in its past tense form, it is more noticeable or salient in the sentence than when it is used in its present tense form.

Question 6

What does Lederer's term 'deverbalization' mean?
A) Semantic transfer
B) Communicative transfer
C) An intermediate phase between reading/understanding of the source text and expression in the target text

Accepted Answer

Deverbalization refers to an intermediate phase in the translation process where the translator mentally processes and understands the meaning of the source text before expressing that meaning in the target language.

Question 7

What is the basis of a relevance theory model of translation?
A) The translator makes it possible for the reader to grasp the writer's intention without unnecessary effort
B) The translator adds footnotes to the target text to show its relevance to the reader
C) The translator uses explicitation wherever possible to facilitate comprehension

Accepted Answer

The basis of a relevance theory model of translation is that the translator's goal is to make it easy for the reader to understand the writer's intention without any unnecessary effort. This means that the translator focuses on conveying the intended meaning of the source text in a way that is relevant and accessible to the target audience. The other options, adding footnotes and using explicitation, may be strategies used by the translator but are not the basis of the relevance theory model.

Question 8

In translation process research, what normally happens in a retrospective think-aloud protocol?
A) A translator describes the translation decisions during the translation process
B) A translator answers questions about the translation decisions after the translation process
C) A translator keeps a reflective diary of their translation decisions

Accepted Answer

In a retrospective think-aloud protocol, a translator reflects on and answers questions about their translation decisions after the translation process has been completed. This method allows researchers to gain insights into the decision-making process without interrupting the translation process itself.

Quiz 4: Studying Translation Product and Process

Which of the following best explains the difference between a translation strategy and procedure?

What are the two general types of translation described by Vinay and Darbelnet?

Which of the following is correct?

What does the term 'translation shift' mean?

What does the term 'markedness' mean?

What does Lederer's term 'deverbalization' mean?

What is the basis of a relevance theory model of translation?

In translation process research, what normally happens in a retrospective think-aloud protocol?