A Communicative Translation of the Novel "A Child of Sorrow" to Filipino

A COMMUNICATIVE TRANSLATION OF THE NOVEL“A CHILD OF SORROW” TO FILIPINO

Researcher / Translator: Percival S. Paras

Title: A Communicative Translation of the Novel A Child of Sorrow by Zoilo M.Galang to Filipino (Isang Komunikatibong Pagsasalin ng Nobelang A Child of Sorrow [Anak ng Pighati] ni Zoilo M. Galang sa Filipino)

Specializations: AB/BSE Literature & TESOL

Adviser: Dr. Ma. Antoinette C. Montealegre
Philippine Normal University
October, 2007

Objectives:This study aims to translate the novel A Child of Sorrow by Zoilo M. Galang from its original English version to Filipino. The communicative approach by Newmark was used in the translation.

Specifically, the study aims to:
1. Translate A Child of Sorrow from the Source language (SL), English, to the Target language (TL), Filipino.
2. Apply the techniques of Newmark’s Communicative Approach in the translation.
3. Identify the problems and give solutions through revisions to arrive at a final translation.
4. Evaluate the translation made by means of the comparison check and marginal notes from the evaluators of the translation.

Methods and Procedures:

1. The first draft of translation was made after several readings of the novel. The first draft of translation was evaluated using the comparison check and marginal notes.
2. After gathering all the data made by the evaluators, the translation was revised. The second draft of translation was again evaluated using the same comparison check and marginal notes.
3. The researcher gathered all the suggestions and recommendations of the evaluators to the translation.
After the second revision, the final draft of translation was made.

Findings:

1. There are grammatical errors in the original text (SL). It is necessary for the researcher to correct the grammar first before translating to Filipino.
2. The same strategy can be applied to words that connote a different meaning. The culture of the SL plays a vital role in probing for the exact perceived meaning or message received.
3. Some terms are translated literally. Some of the terms that were used are derived from the pre-translation done in the previous drafts. The one-to-one correspondence as an approach poses conflicting translation of the true meaning of the text.
4. Contradicting statements are present in the original text.
5. There are difficulties in sentence construction in the Filipino translation.


Conclusion:
Based on the findings on the study, the following conclusions were drawn:

1. The communicative approach can be appropriately used in translating the novel A Child of Sorrow by Zoilo Galang, from English to Filipino.
2. Applying the available techniques from Newmark is equally helpful.
3. The final revision is extensively done through the recommendations of the evaluators together with the researcher’s own intuition and discretion in translation. Comparison check and marginal notes are effective tools of the whole translation process.

Recommendations:
Based on the findings and conclusions, the following recommendations are offered:
1. Any theory or method can be employed by a would-be-translator; however, the communicative approach is the most ideal way to transfer an original text to another translated version.
2. There are many techniques that can be used but Newmark’s techniques are effective steps in getting the equivalence in response. Finding the most appropriate techniques for your translation will likely ensure appropriateness in context.
3. Translating any novel is a sure challenge to any would be translator. It is a good practice for research and analysis, specially the complex sentence structures and cultural equivalents.
4. For future research of this similar work, administering questionnaires and rating scales to the target reader will greatly contribute to the validity of the evaluation.








For more information, visit the Department of Linguistics, Bilingual Education and Literature (LBEL) of The Philippine Normal University, College of Languages, Linguistics and Literature – Room 301, Bonifacio P. Sibayan Hall, or contact the researcher/translator at perci.paras@yahoo.com