Abstract:
This article focuses on constraints and creativity in translation. Due to the different constraints encountered by translators in their quest to convey a message from the source language into the target language, lack of creativity on the part of the translators may affect the quality of their end product. Therefore, in exploring the themes of constraints and creativity, the paper has endeavored looking into both linguistic and non-linguistic factors that pose challenges for translators and how different translation techniques can be used creatively to deal with these constraints. It is however important to note that these constraints have been categorized differently by different scholars and there seems to be no one rigid way of laying them out. The article has further highlighted some strategies/techniques that professional translators have had to use in order to bridge the cultural gap between the cultures under consideration, which in turn facilitates communication. Among the strategies used are: borrowing, calque, literal translation, transposition, modulation, equivalence and adaptation, which have been seen to enhance creativity in translation. This study was guided by the textual analysis approach as it examined a text in English as well as its translated version in French. The parallel texts have been attached as annexes 1 and 2. From the findings of this study, it is lucid to argue that translation and culture are inextricably intertwined and it is no wonder many constraints in translation emanate from cultural variations. This therefore calls for translators to reconcile their translation purpose and function with their intended audience as well as the text genres before embarking on any translation task. The importance of creativity in translating cannot be overemphasized as it is evident in the annexes attached that the translator of the COMESA Newsletter was an expert with a creative mind. |
