Translation- unit 4

b) Think of other verbs in English or Hebrew which have different

translations in the other language, depending on the object or the subject

of the action.

Some linguistic background - 1
Every language 'maps out' the world of reality into semantic fields.
A semantic field includes all the words that are associatively
connected with a certain concept, e.g. size, time, emotion, housing,
justice. However, the inner division within the semantic fields - the
gridding - often differs from language to language, i.e. ץחר ,חידה ,סבכ.
In exercise 1, the semantic field of 'cleaning with water' is divided
differently in the two languages. Hebrew is more specific, i.e. has a
finer gridding, than English. The same holds true for 'raise' (exercise 2).

3) The tables below demonstrate differences in gridding within the semantic
field of 'travel', according to the different elements of meaning in each
word.
a) Read table 1 below.
b) Fill in the missing information in table 2.

Table 1 - English

TRAVEL	ELEMENTS OF MEANING
trip	general word for travelling (for pleasure, study, business, etc.)
journey	greater distance, longer time, travelling by a means of transportation
outing	short, not very far, not alone, for enjoyment
hike	on foot, in nature
voyage	rather long, by boat
cruise	by luxury boat, for pleasure
tour	organized, in a group

Table 2 - Hebrew

ELEMENTS OF MEANING	TRAVEL
	העיסנ
	לויט
	רויס
	עסמ
	טייש
	הגלפה

4) Read the sentences below.

a) Translate them.

b) Under each sentence write the words (not the travel words) which
helped you determine the suitable translation into Hebrew.

c) Specify the elements of meaning contained in each 'travel word'.

1. Columbus made several voyages to America.
Translation:
Words:
Elements of meaning of 'voyages':

2. Second-year art students must take a study trip to Florence.
Translation:
Words:
Elements of meaning of 'trip':

3. They need a rest after the long journey.
Translation:
Words:
Elements of meaning of 'journey':

4. The class went on an outing to the nearby waterfall.
Translation:
Words:
Elements of meaning of 'outing':

5. The programme included a cruise down the Nile.
Translation:
Words:
Elements of meaning of 'cruise':

6. We are going on a hike with the scouts.
Translation:
Words:
Elements of meaning of 'hike':

Some linguistic background - 2
The gridding within a semantic field does not necessarily overlap in
the two languages. There may not be a one-to-one equivalent for each word,
i.e. there may not be a word in one language which contains exactly the
same elements of meaning as a word in the other language.
Within the semantic field of 'travel', both languages make distinctions
according to purpose, distances covered, means of transportation (exercise 3).
However, there is a different gridding - there is no one-to-one equivalent.

5) The following texts illustrate some of the problems that stem from
differences in gridding in the two languages. Translate them, paying special
attention to the underlined words.

1. Let's go to Eilat for a couple of days. We'll fly down to save time.
If it's not too hot, we'll walk to the nature reserve and watch the
flocks of birds fly by on their way to the warm countries of the South.
We might even go by boat to Aqaba.

2. You don't understand me. You must realize that I am no longer
a child. Will you ever grasp that I have a world of my own now?

To sum up
In this unit you have learned about semantic fields, i.e. the 'mapping out'
of reality. Languages may differ in the divisions and distinctions - the
gridding - which they make within the semantic field. While translating the
texts in this unit, you had to cope with problems stemming from the lack of
equivalents in the TL and examined different solutions.


It is preferable to complete a whole unit before sending it in. Please use the 'incomplete' option only if you have no other alternative.