Khóa luận A study on the translation of technical terms in the interface of common business websites and theirs Vietnamese equivalent

Nội dung text: Khóa luận A study on the translation of technical terms in the interface of common business websites and theirs Vietnamese equivalent

1. BỘ GIÁO DỤC VÀ ĐÀO TẠO TRƯỜNG ĐẠI HỌC DÂN LẬP HẢI PHÒNG ISO 9001 : 2008 KHÓA LUẬN TỐT NGHIỆP NGÀNH: NGOẠI NGỮ HẢI PHÒNG – 2010
2. HAIPHONG PRIVATE UNIVESITY FOREIGN LANGUAGES DEPARTMENT GRADUATION PAPER A study on the translation of technical terms in the interface of common business websites and theirs Vietnamese equivalent By: NGUYỄN ĐỨC MẠNH Class: NA 1002 Supervisor: TRẦN THỊ NGỌC LIÊN, M.A. HAI PHONG - 2010
3. BỘ GIÁO DỤC VÀ ĐÀO TẠO TRƯỜNG ĐẠI HỌC DÂN LẬP HẢI PHÒNG Nhiệm vụ đề tài tốt nghiệp Sinh viên: Mã số: Lớp Ngành: Tên đề tài:
4. Nhiệm vụ đề tài 1. Nội dung và các yêu cầu cần giải quyết trong nhiệm vụ đề tài tốt nghiệp ( về lý luận, thực tiễn, các số liệu cần tính toán và các bản vẽ). 2. Các số liệu cần thiết để thiết kế, tính toán. 3. Địa điểm thực tập tốt nghiệp.
5. CÁN BỘ HƯỚNG DẪN ĐỀ TÀI Người hướng dẫn thứ nhất: Họ và tên: Học hàm, học vị: Cơ quan công tác: Nội dung hướng dẫn: Người hướng dẫn thứ hai: Họ và tên: Học hàm, học vị: Cơ quan công tác: Nội dung hướng dẫn: Đề tài tốt nghiệp được giao ngày 12 tháng 04 năm 2010 Yêu cầu phải hoàn thành xong trước ngày 10 tháng 07 năm 2010 Đã nhận nhiệm vụ ĐTTN Đã giao nhiệm vụ ĐTTN Sinh viên Người hướng dẫn Hải Phòng, ngày tháng năm 2010 HIỆU TRƯỞNG GS.TS.NGƯT Trần Hữu Nghị
6. PHẦN NHẬN XÉT TÓM TẮT CỦA CÁN BỘ HƯỚNG DẪN 1. Tinh thần thái độ của sinh viên trong quá trình làm đề tài tốt nghiệp: 2. Đánh giá chất lượng của khóa luận (so với nội dung yêu cầu đã đề ra trong nhiệm vụ Đ.T. T.N trên các mặt lý luận, thực tiễn, tính toán số liệu ): 3. Cho điểm của cán bộ hướng dẫn (ghi bằng cả số và chữ): Hải Phòng, ngày tháng năm 2010 Cán bộ hướng dẫn (họ tên và chữ ký)
7. NHẬN XÉT ĐÁNH GIÁ CỦA NGƯỜI CHẤM PHẢN BIỆN ĐỀ TÀI TỐT NGHIỆP 1. Đánh giá chất lượng đề tài tốt nghiệp về các mặt thu thập và phân tích tài liệu, số liệu ban đầu, giá trị lí luận và thực tiễn của đề tài. 2. Cho điểm của người chấm phản biện : (Điểm ghi bằng số và chữ) Ngày tháng năm 2010 Người chấm phản biện
8. TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT PART I : INTRODUCTION 1. Rationale of the study ····································································· 1 2. Aims of the study ··········································································· 2 3. Scope of the study ·········································································· 2 4. Method of the study ········································································ 2 5. Design of the study ········································································· 3 PART II : DEVELOPMENT CHAPTER ONE : THEORETICAL BACKGROUND 1. Translation theory 1.1. Definitions of translation ························································ 4 1.2. Methods of translation ·························································· 6 1.3. Equivalence in translation ······················································· 8 1.4. Case of non-equivalence ························································ 10 2. ESP in translation. 2.1. Concept of ESP ······································································ 11 2.2. Types of ESP ·········································································· 13 3.Translation of technical terms 3.1. Definition of technical translation ·········································· 15 3.2. Terms 3.2.1. What is terms ? ··························································· 16 3.2.2. The characteristics of terms ········································ 17 CHAPTER TWO : AN INVESTIGATION ON TECHNICAL TERMS IN THE INTERFACE OF COMMON BUSINESS WEBSITES AND THIER VIETNAMESE EQUIVALENT 1. Popular forms of technical terms in the interface of common business websites
9. 1.1. Single terms 1.1.1. Single terms with Prefixes 1.1.1.1. Negative prefixes ··············································· 18 1.1.1.2. Positive prefixes ················································· 19 1.1.2. Single terms with Suffixes 1.1.2.1. Noun-forming suffixes ····································· 21 1.1.2.2. Verb-forming suffixes ······································· 21 1.1.2.3. Adjective-forming suffixes ································ 33 1.2. Compound words 1.2.1. Compound noun························································· 23 1.2.2. Adverb + noun ··························································· 23 1.3. Phrases ·················································································· 24 1.4. Abbreviation ·········································································· 24 2. Meaning of technical terms in the interface of common business websites 2.1. Single terms 2.1.1. Single terms carrying negative meaning ······················ 26 2.1.2. Single terms showing repetition/reversive meaning ···· 29 2.1.3. Single terms carrying the meaning of “the person/ thing/ who/ that ” ··············································································· 31 2.1.4. Single terms with other meaning ································ 34 2.2. Compound 2.2.1. Non-idiomatic compound ··········································· 40 2.2.2. Idiomatic compound ··················································· 44 2.3. Phrases ·················································································· 45 2.4. Abbreviation ·········································································· 47 CHAPTER THREE : IMPLICATION 1. Recognized translation ··································································· 50 2. Literal translation ··········································································· 51 3. Translation by paraphrasing ··························································· 52
10. 4. Translation by omission or addition ················································ 54 PART III : CONCLUSION 1. Issues addressed in the study ·························································· 56 2. Suggestions for further study ·························································· 57
11. ABBREVIATION AmE .American English ESP English for Specific Purpose SL Source Language TL .Target Language TT . Target Text Adj Adjective
12. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT First and foremost, I would like to express my gratitude to all those who gave me the possibility to complete this research. I want to thank the English Department of Haiphong Private University for giving me permission to commence this thesis in the first instance and to do the necessary research work. I am deeply indebted to my supervisor Mrs. Tran Thi Ngoc Lien M.A whose reference materials, support, stimulating suggestions and encouragement helped me in all stages of this research for and writing of this research. My classmates from class NA 1002 supported me a great deal and I want to thank them for all their support, cooperation and valuable suggestions. I would like to express my sincere appreciation to other fellow students of the English Department for providing me their translation exercises and assignments to use as references. Especially, I am obliged to my friends who looked closely at the final version of the thesis for English style and grammar, correcting both and offering suggestions for improvement. Finally, I cannot fully express my gratitude to all the people whose direct and indirect support helped me complete my research in time
13. PART I : INTRODUCTION 1. Rationale of the study Though English is not the most widely spoken language in the world,it is the world‟s most prominent language in business,education,communication It has been estimated that more than 350 million people speak English all over the world.When you look at the importance of English for international business,you must look more than just the number of people who speak it and what the language is used for. In the 21st century,many companies have discovered that they can cut their costs of production by sending their jobs oversea.Some have also found that thet can save money by bringing immigrants into the country on work visas.For someone living in the country where English is not the native language,they will need to master this language in order to find a good job in United States or England. English is also the language of technology. Many kinds of technology are based on this. The role of English language is increasing year by year .Have you ever think about the ongoing impacts of English language on information access. English is now the dominated language of information world. About 80% of internet web pages are in this language. Main information resources are mostly published in this language or translated into it. But although Internet services themselves are, generally speaking, easy to learn and use, you will find yourself isolated on the Internet if you are not familiar with English. This means that knowledge or lack of knowledge of English is one of the most severe factors that cause polarization. Learning to use a new Internet service or user interface may take a few hours, a few days, or even weeks, but it takes years to learn a language so that you can use it in a fluent and self-confident manner. Of course, when you know some English, you can learn more just by using it on the Internet, but at least currently the general tendency among Internet users is to discourage people in their 1
14. problems with the English language. Incorrect English causes a few flames much more probably than encouragement and friendly advice. As a result,I choose studying technical terms in business websites with the hope that people who are not major in english will find it easier to use these internet services. Nevertheless, due to my limited English, this study can not avoid shortcomings. I hope to receive your contributions so that my study will be more completed. 2. The study is aimed at  Collecting and presenting some commonly used English terms in the interface of business websites  Identifying the formation and meaning of English terms used in interface of business websites  Giving some sugguestions in translating technical terms in business websites 3. Scope of the study The technical terms used in business and technology would require a great amount of effort and time to study.However,due to the limitation of time and knowledge,my study could not cover all the terms,but only focus on the popular terms in the interface of common business websites. But hopefully these will partly help people have general knowledge and understanding about these technical terms in order to get easier to react these websites. 4. Methods of the study The study is conducted with the combination of two main research method: quantitative and qualitative. As regards the first, after collecting the materials for study, the researcher uses quantitative statistical analysis to identify the frequency, the types and formation of English terms used in interface of business websites. 2
15. Secondly, hypothesis testing is made use as a way of doing qualitative method. The researcher suggests the strategies for translation of these terms, and then try to test his hypthesis to see if the recommended procedures are appropriate. 5. Design of the study My research is divided into three parts,in which,the second is the most important one. Part One is the INTRODUCTION in which rationale , purposes , methods , scopes are presented Part Two is the DEVELOPMENT that includes three chapters : Chapter I is theoretical background which focuses on the defenitions , methods , procedures of translation in general,technical terms and definition of terms Chapter II is an investigation on translation of technical terms in the interface of common business websites Chapter III is the implications of my study Part Three is the CONCLUSION which includes the summary of my study, experiences acquired and sugguestion for further study. 3
16. PART TWO : DEVELOPMENT CHAPTER ONE : THEORETICAL BACKGROUND 1. Translation theory 1.1. Definitions of translation Translation is very important but also difficult for English learners. Translation has existed in every corner of our life. It is considered as an indispensable part in the field of not only literature ,culture and religion but also commercial advertisement ,popular entertainment ,public administration ,international diplomacy, scientific research publication ,judiciary procedure ,immigration and education .Thus, definitions of translation are numerous and a large numbers of writers have written about this subject In this paper, some various concepts of translation have been collected as follows: The first definition is presented by Catford (1965: 20). He states that translation is the replacement of textual material in one language by equivalent textual material in another language Very much similar to this definition is that by Savory (1968: 37) who maintains that translation is made possible by an equivalent of thought that lies behind its different verbal expressions. Next, Nida and Taber (1959: 19) explained the process of translating as follows. “Translating consists of reproducing in the receptor language the closest natural equivalent of the source language message, first in terms of meaning and secondly in terms of style.” In Translation: Applications and Research, Brislin (1976: 1) defines translation as: “The general term referring to the transfer of thoughts and ideas from one language (source) to another (target), whether the languages are in written or oral form; whether the languages have established orthographies or do not 4
17. have such standardization or whether one or both languages is based on signs, as with sign languages of the deaf.” Identical with the above definition is the one proposed by Pinhhuck (1977: 38). He maintains that "Translation is a process of finding a TL equivalent for an SL utterance". In 1980, McGuire defined translation as “Translation involves the rendering of a source language (SL) text into the target language (TL) so as to ensure that the surface meaning of the two will be approximately similar and the structure of the SL will be preserved as closely as possible, but not so closely that the TL structure will be seriously distorted” (McGuire, 1980: 2). Some scholars defined translation as an art / craft: “Translation is a craft consisting in the attempt to replace a written message and/or statement in one language by the same message and/or statement in another language” (Newmark, 1981: 7). Wills defines translation more or less similarly as follows. “Translation is a transfer process which aims at the transformation of a written SL text into an optimally equivalent TL text, and which requires the syntactic, the semantic and the pragmatic understanding and analytical processing of the SL” (Wills in Noss, 1982: 3). Finally, according to Bell, translation is “The transformation of a text originally in one language into an equivalent text in a different language retaining, as far as possible, the content of the message and the formal features and functional roles of the original text” ( Bell , 1991: xv). Although these definitions are different in expression, they share common features about finding the closest equivalence in meaning by the choice of appreciate target language‟s lexical and grammatical structures, communication situation, and cultural context. Some sort of movement from 5
18. one language to another depends on translation types that will be show in the next part. Or sometimes translation is defined simply such as “a piece of writing or speech that has been translated from a different language.” 1.2. Translation methods There are various methods by which the text may be translated. The central problem of translating is whether to translate literally or freely. It all depends on some factors such as the purpose of the translation, the nature of readership and the text types. As stated by Peter Newmark (1988:45) there are eight methods of translation, namely word-for-word translation, literal translation, faithful translation, semantic translation, adaptation, free translation, idiomatic translation and communicative translation. And basing on the degree of emphasis on the SL and TL, he puts it in a flattened diagram as below. SL Emphasis TL Emphasis Word-for-word translation Adaptation Literal translation Free translation Faithful translation Idiomatic translation Semantic translation Communicative translation (1) The methods closest to the source language a) Word-for-word Translation: in which the SL word order is preserved and the words translated singly by their most common meanings. Cultural words are translated literally. The main use of this method is either to understand the 6
19. mechanics of the source language or to construe a difficult text as pre- translation process b) Literal Translation: This is a broader form of translation, each SL word has a corresponding TL word, but their primary meaning may differ. The SL grammatical forms are converted to their nearest target language equivalents. However, the lexical words are again translated out of context. Literal translation is considered the basic translation step, both in communication and semantic translation, in that translation starts from there. As pre-translation process, it indicates problems to be solved. c) Faithful Translation: This method tries to reproduce the precise contextual meaning of the original within the constraint of the TL grammatical structures. It transfers cultural words and preserves the degree of grammatical and lexical deviation from SL norms. It attempts to be completely faithful to the intentions and the text-realization of the SL writer d) Semantic Translation: It differs from faithful translation only in as far as it must take more account of the aesthetic value of the SL text, compromising on meaning where appropriate so that no assonance, word play, or repetition jars in the finished version. e) Translation by using a loan word is particularly common in dealing with culture-specific items, modern concepts and buzz words. Using a loan word is dramatically strong method applied for the word which have foreign origin or have no equivalence in TL (2) The methods closest to the target language a) Adaptation: Adaptation refers to that type of translation which is used mainly for plays and poems. The text is rewritten considering the source 7
20. language culture which is converted to the target language culture where the characters, themes, plots are usually preserved. b) Free Translation: This method of translation produces the translated text without the style, form, or content of the original text. c) Idiomatic Translation: It translates the message of the original text but tends to distort the original meaning at times by preferring colloquialisms and idioms. d) Communicative Translation: This method displays the exact contextual meaning of the original text in a manner where both content and language are easily acceptable and comprehensible to the readers. 1.3. Equivalence in translation The comparison of texts in different languages inevitably involves a theory of equivalence. Equivalences can be said to be the central issue in translation although its definition, relevance, and applicability within the field of translation theory have caused heated controversy, and many different theories of the concept of equivalence have been elaborated within this field in the past fifty years. Pym (1992) has pointed to its circularity: equivalence is supposed to define translation, in turn, defines equivalence. Here are some elaborate approaches to translation equivalence: Translational equivalence is the similarity between a word (or expression) in one language and its translation in another. This similarity results from overlapping ranges of reference. A translation equivalent is a corresponding word or expression in another language.( Lingua Links Library, Version 5.0 published on CD-ROM by SIL International, 2003). 8
21. Nida argued that there are two different types of translation equivalence, namely formal equivalence- which in the second edition by Nida and Taber (1982) is referred to as formal correspondence- and dynamic equivalence. Formal correspondence “focuses attention on the message itself, in both form and content”, unlike dynamic equivalence which is based upon “the principle of equivalent effect” (1964:159). In the second edition (1982) or their work, the two theorists provide a more detailed explanation of each type of equivalence. Formal correspondence consists of a TL item which represents the closest equivalent word or phrase. Nida and Taber make it clear that there are not always formal equivalents between language pairs. They therefore suggest that these formal equivalents should be used wherever possible if the translation aims at achieving formal rather than dynamic equivalence. The use of formal equivalents might at times have serious implications in the TT since the translation will not be easily understood by the target audience (Fawcett, 1997). Nida and Taber themselves assert that “Typically, formal correspondence distorts the grammatical and stylistic patterns of the receptor language, and hence distorts the message, so as to cause the receptor to misunderstand or to labor unduly hard” (ibid: 201). Dynamic equivalence is defined as a translation principle according to which a translator seeks to translate the meaning of the original in such as way that the TL wording will trigger the same impact on the TC audience as the original wording did upon the ST audience. They argue that “Frequently, the form of the original text is changed; but as long as the change follows the rules of back transformation in the source language, of contextual consistency in the transfer, and of transformation in the receptor language, the message is preserved and the translation is faithful” (Nida and Taber, 1982:200). 9
22. Newmark (1988: 39) defines that: “The overriding purpose of any translation should be to achieve „equivalence effect‟ i.e. to produce the same effect on the readership of translation as was obtained on the readership of the original”. He also sees equivalence effect as the desirable result rather than the aim of any translation except for two cases: (a) If the purpose of the SL text is to affect and the TL translation is to inform or vice ; (b) If there is a pronounced cultural gap between the SL and the TL text. Keller (1979: 188-89) considers fives types of equivalence: - Denotative equivalence: the SL and the TL words refer to the same thing in the real world. It is an equivalence of the extra linguistic content of a text. - Connotative equivalence: This type of equivalence provides additional value and is achieved by the translator‟s choice of synonymous words of expressions. - Text-normative equivalence: The SL and the TL words are used in the same or similar context in their respective languages. - Pragmatic equivalence: With readership orientation, the SL and TL words have the same effect on their respective readers. - Formal equivalence: This type of equivalence produces an analogy of form in the translation by either exploiting formal possibilities of TL, or creating new forms in TL. Although equivalence translation is deferent point of view of theorists, it is same effective equivalence between SL and TL. 1.4. Case of non-equivalence Non-equivalence can be divided into two basic categories : Non-equivalence at word level 10
23. Non-equivalence above word level According to Mona Baker,the concept of non-equivalence at word level is more and less as follow: “ Non-equivalence at word level means that the target language has no direct equivalence for a word which occurs in the source text ” In the original English book, there are many special expressions which do not have suitable counterparts in other language. This means that it is not possible to translate these expressions by applying typical translational methods and strategies 2. ESP in translation. “Tell me what you need English for and I will tell you the English that you need”. ( Hutchinson & Waters, 1987: 8) As English became the accepted international language of technology and commerce, it created a new generation of learners who knew specifically why they were learning a language and now became subject to the wishes, needs and demands of people other than language teachers. The new studies shifted attention away from defining the formal features of language usage to discovering the ways in which language is actually used in real communication. “The growth of ESP was brought about by a combination of three important factors: the expansion of demand for English to suit particular needs and developments in the fields of linguistics and educational psychology. All three factors seemed to point towards the need for increased specialisation in language learning.” (Tom Hutchinson and Alan Waters, 1987: 8). 2.1. Definitions of ESP ESP began in the 1960s, but some of famous linguisticians build on earlier definitions. 11
24. According to Hutchinson and Waters (1987:19), “ESP must be seen as an approach not as a product, ESP is not a particular kind of language, or methodology, nor does it consist of a particular type of teaching material. Understood properly, it is an approach to language learning, which is based on learner need”. Stevens‟(1988) definition of ESP makes a distinction between four absolute characteristics and two variable characteristics. The absolute characteristics are that ESP consists of English Language Teaching which is: . Designed to meet specified needs of the learner; . Related in content (that is in its themes and topics) to particular disciplines, occupations and activities; . Centered on language appropriate to those activities in syntax, lexis, discourse, semantics and so on, and analysis of the discourse; . In contrast with “General English”. . The variable characteristics are that ESP . May be restricted as to the learning skills to be learned (for example reading only); . May not be taught according to any pre-ordained methodology. Robinson in her second survey of ESP in 1991 also accepted the primacy of needs analysis in defining ESP. Her definition is based on two key definition criteria and a number of characteristics that are generally found to be true of ESP. Her key criteria are that ESP is “normally goal-directed”, and that ESP course develop from a needs analysis, which “aims to specify as closely as possible what exactly it is that students have to do through the medium of English” (Robinson, 1991: 3). From looking at three definitions of ESP found in the literature, finally, Tony Dudley-Evans and Maggie Jo St John (1998, 2) defined ESP by using absolute and variable characteristics that is: 12
25. Absolute characteristics: ESP is designed to meet specific needs of the learner; ESP makes use of the underlying methodology and activities of the disciplines it serves; ESP is centred on the language (grammar, lexis, and register), skills, discourse and genres appropriate to these activities. Variable characteristics: ESP may be related to or designed for specific disciplines; ESP may use, in specific teaching situations, a different methodology from that of general English; ESP is likely to be designed for adult learner, either at a tertiary level institution or in a professional work situation. It could, however, be used for learners at secondary school level; ESP is generally designed for intermediate or advanced students. Most ESP courses basic knowledge of the language system, but it can be used with beginners. 2.2. Types of ESP David Carter (1983) identifies three types of ESP: English as a restricted language English for Academic and Occupational Purposes English with specific topics. The language used by air traffic controllers or by waiters are examples of English as a restricted language. Mackay and Mountford (1978) clearly illustrate the difference between restricted language and language with this statement: The language of international air-traffic control could be regarded as 'special', in the sense that the repertoire required by the controller is strictly 13
26. limited and can be accurately determined situational, as might be the linguistic needs of a dining-room waiter or air-hostess. However, such restricted repertoires are not languages, just as a tourist phrase book is not grammar. Knowing a restricted 'language' would not allow the speaker to communicate effectively in novel situation, or in contexts outside the vocational environment (pp. 4-5). The second type of ESP identified by Carter (1983) is English for Academic and Occupational Purposes. In the 'Tree of ELT' (Hutchinson & Waters, 1987), ESP is broken down into three branches: a) English for Science and Technology (EST), b) English for Business and Economics (EBE), and c) English for Social Studies (ESS). Each of these subject areas is further divided into two branches: English for Academic Purposes (EAP) and English for Occupational Purposes (EOP). An example of EOP for the EST branch is 'English for Technicians' whereas an example of EAP for the EST branch is 'English for Medical Studies'. Hutchinson and Waters (1987) do note that there is not a clear-cut distinction between EAP and EOP: "· people can work and study simultaneously; it is also likely that in many cases the language learnt for immediate use in a study environment will be used later when the student takes up, or returns to, a job" (p. 16). Perhaps this explains Carter's rationale for categorizing EAP and EOP under the same type of ESP. It appears that Carter is implying that the end purpose of both EAP and EOP are one in the same: employment. However, despite the end purpose being identical, the means taken to achieve the end is very different indeed. I contend that EAP and EOP are different in terms of focus on Cummins' (1979) notions of cognitive academic proficiency versus basic interpersonal skills. This is examined in further detail below. The third and final type of ESP identified by Carter (1983) is English with specific topics. Carter notes that it is only here where emphasis shifts from 14
27. purpose to topic. This type of ESP is uniquely concerned with anticipated future English needs of, for example, scientists requiring English for postgraduate reading studies, attending conferences or working in foreign institutions. However, I argue that this is not a separate type of ESP. Rather it is an integral component of ESP courses or programs which focus on situational language. This situational language has been determined based on the interpretation of results from needs analysis of authentic language used in target workplace settings. 3.Translation of technical terms 3.1 Definition of technical translation Technical translation is the translation of technical writing (owner's manuals, user guides, etc.), or more specifically, texts that contain a high amount of terminology, that is, words or phrases that are virtually used only within a specific profession, or describe that profession in great detail. Technical translation covers the translation of many kinds of specialized texts which requires a high level of subject knowledge and mastery of the relevant terminology. The importance of consistent terminology in technical translation as well as the highly formulaic and repetitive nature of technical writing makes computer-assisted translation using translation memories and terminology databases especially appropriate. In his book Technical Translation Jody Byrne argues that technical translation is closely related to technical communication and that it can benefit from research in this and other areas such as usability and cognitive psychology Technical translation (n.d.) Retrieved May 19, 2010 from ( 15
28. 3.2. Terms 3.2.1.What is terms ? A term, or a terminology unit, is the name of a concept in a particular subject field. “Terminology is the technical used in a particular subject or words used with particular specific meanings”, (Oxford advanced learner‟s dictionary). It may be a word, an expression, a symbol, a chemical or mathematical formula, an acronym and so on. A term in a specialized language is distinguished from a word in general language by its single-meaning relationship (call monosemy) with the specialized concept that it designates by the stability of the relationship between form and content in texts solving this concept (call lexicalization). Other indications that you are dealing with a term are its frequency of use and its relatively fixed contextual surroundings (its co- occurrents). According to structure, technical terms consist of following types;  Single terms are those that consist of just one word (compound or derived). Example: page, home, tool, menu, help  Compound terms are terms consisting of two or more words, most of them are compound nouns, compound adjectives. Example: keyword frequency, link popularity, search engine, banner ads, domain name, web browser, internet explorer, e-mail adress, home page, database system, etc.  Phrases: Most of them are noun phrases, used usually in titles of section in guidelines or documents. Example: pay-per-click search engine, terms of services, estimated prize for each package, frequently asked questions, etc. 16
29.  Abbreviation: URL (Uniform Resource Locator), IE (Internet Explorer), IIS (Internet Information Server), IP (Internet Protocol), etc. All types of terms will be presented in detail in the next chapter. 3.2.2.The characteristics of terms There is distinction between technical and descriptive terms. The original SL writer may use a descriptive term for a technical object for three reasons: The objective is new, and not yet has a name The descriptive term is being used as a familiar alternative, to avoid repetition. The descriptive term is being used to make a contrast with another one. Normally, you should translate technical and descriptive terms by their counterparts and, in particular, resist the temptation of translating a descriptive by a technical term for showing off your knowledge, there by sacrificing the linguistic force of the SL descriptive term. However, if the SL descriptive term is being used either because of the SL writer‟s ignorance or negligence, or because the appropriate technical term does not exist in the SL, and in particular if an object strange to the SL but not to the TL culture is being referred to, then you are justified in translating a descriptive by a technical term. 17
30. CHAPTER TWO : AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE TRANSLATION OF TECHNICAL TERMS IN THE INTERFACE OF COMMON BUSINESS WEBSITES 1. POPULAR FORMS OF TECHNICAL TERMS USED IN THE INTERFACE OF COMMON BUSINESS WEBSITES As most of terms, technical terms are also divided into such kinds as : single term, compound term, phrase and abbreviation. 1.1. Single terms 1.1.1 Single terms with Prefixes A prefix is an affix which is placed before the stem of a word. According to my research, in technical term, there are 2 types of prefixes: negative prefix and positive prefix. Due to limited time and knowledge, my research was carried out with only about 140 single terms. In which, prefixes was used in 64 terms or about 45,71 %. This number shows that prefixes, as well as suffixes, are popularly used in the interface of business websites. 1.1.1.1. Negative prefixes Negative prefixes occupy the larger part of prefixes used in the interface of business websites with 62,5% (40 terms). They are mainly used in warning messages or errors which are giving to the users when problems happen. Example: The page you are looking for is currently unavailable. Your password or username is incorrect. Disable to connect. In the scope of this research, 3 negative prefixes are mentioned : “Dis-”, “In- ” and “Un-”. 18
31. The prefix “Dis-” , originating from Latin, means “not, not any” and in Vietnamese equivalent is as “không, vô”. RandolphQuirk el at (1985) has called the prefix “Dis-” a pejorative prefix that means “to reserve the action” as in the following verbs: disconnect, disamble, disjoint, dismount (take into pieces), discontinue (cause something to come to an end) . It can combine with an adjective (eg., able) or a verb (eg., connect) to form a new adjective (eg., disable) or verb (eg., disconnect) with reflected meaning. However, the frequency of “Dis-” used in single terms is very few, only 4,3% (6 in 140 terms) and it is also the fewest in negative prefixes with 15%. Occupying 35% of nagative prefixes used in the interface of common business websites is the Latin prefix “In-” with 14 terms. It is typically used with adjectives of French or Latin originins. The negative prefix “In-” added to adjectives means “not” (incompatible, insufficient, invalid, independent ); and added to nouns means “without, lacking of” (inaccuracy, incompatibility, insufficiency ). We have not found any verbs negated by means of “In-”. Relating to Latin prefix “In-“ is “Un-” with the origin from Old English. It is native English prefix used for negation, but it combines freely with non-native roots as well. By this way, we can easily realize that prefix “Un-” is widely used in technical terms by half of negative prefixes. „Un-” can combine with adjective (eg., available), verb (eg., do) or even adverb (eg., fortunately) to form a new adjective (eg., unavailable), verb (eg., do) or adverb (unfortunately). According to statistics in this research, most of cases using prefix “Un-” ( >90%) is the combination with adjectives. 1.1.1.2. Positive prefixes The last part and also the smaller one of prefix is the positive prefixes with 37,5%. Positive prefixes are often used to describe a function or action when 19
32. users interact the websites. There are many positive prefixes but the most common ones mentioned in this research are “Re-” and “Pre-”. Prefix “Re-” originates from Latin, indicating “again, back”, it shows an activity, a process is done twice time. In Vietnamese equivalent it means “lại” . Comparing to “Pre-”, “Re-” appears much more often in technical terms. In every 25 terms with positive prefixes, there are 20 terms are “Re-” while only 5 of them are “Pre-”. Example: Restart . take up or begin anew Redo to do again Reload . to refresh a copy of a program in memory or of a web page on screen “Pre-” derived from Latin roots, meaning “before” or “tiền” in Vietnamese equivalent. Although “Pre-” is not used in technical terms frequently but it is an important element to form single terms. Example: Precheck .to make an examination or investigation before doing something Prepay pay for something before receiving it Preview a computing function to display a document, page, or film before it is produced in its final form These two prefixes mostly combine with verbs and the results are also new verbs. Example : Re + view = Review (to view or estimate again ) Pre + view = Preview (to display a document, page, or film before it is produced in its final form) 1.1.2. Single terms with Suffixes 20
33. As well as prefix, suffix is also applied popularly to form single terms. It is also sometimes called a postfix or ending, which is placed after the stem of a word. Common examples are case endings, which indicate the grammatical case of nouns, adjectives and verbs. 1.1.2.1. Noun - forming suffixes The most common “noun-forming” suffixes are “-er, -or, -ist, -yst” with the meaning “the person/ thing/ wo/ that ” ( “người” or “nhà” in Vietnamese equivalent ). Words that end with these suffixes are usually (but not always) nouns. Familiarity with these “noun-forming” suffixes may help you identify and translate these nouns correctly. In technical field, noun-forming suffixes mostly combine with verbs to create a new noun. Example : Advertise + er = Advertiser Buy + er = Buyer Contribute + or = Contributor Moderate + or = Moderator Particularly, there are very few combinations with nouns: Style + ist = Stylist Tour + ist = Tourist 1.1.2.2 Verb – forming suffix There are certain "verb-forming" suffixes that can be addedd to certain root words (such as nouns or adjectives) to make them into verbs, for example suffixes such as: -ate, -ize. There´s also plenty of examples (20 terms) where verbs are formed out of nouns. Example: Capital + ize = Capitalize Custom + ize = Customize Estimation + ate = Estimate Navigation + ate = Navigate 21
34. 1.1.2.3 Adjective – forming suffix Adjective-forming suffixes are essential elements in the construction of single terms. They are the most popular suffixes used in 30 terms (39,47%) including “-ic”, “-ive”, “-ble”. Literal meanings for adjectives often begin with the words 'having the quality of ', 'being', or 'pertaining to'. While suffixes such as “-ive” and “-able” often coordinate with verbs, “-ic” seems to combine with nouns more often. Example: Alternate + ive = Alternative Accept + able = Acceptable Base + ic = Basic Economy + ic = Economic 1.2. Compound A compound word is a word composed of two or more words that are spelled normally and retain their usual meanings. It is easy to recognize the short, known words within compound words, and each of those short words is accented, which makes them less confusing to a beginning reader. For these reasons, compound words are often used in technical terms. There are three forms of compound words:  The "solid" or "closed" form, in which two usually moderately short words appear together as one. Nornamlly, it is listed in dictionaries ( such as firefly, secondhand, softball, childlike, crosstown, redhead, keyboard, makeup, notebook);  The hyphenated form( such as daughter-in-law, master-at-arms, over- the-counter, six-pack, six-year-old, mass-produced);  The open form, consisting of newer combinations of usually longer words ( such as post office, real estate, middle class, full moon ) 22
35. By researching 41 compound terms in the interface of common business websites, we realize that two forms mainly used are closed form (13 terms or 31,70%) and open form (28 terms or 68,30%). 1.2.1. Compound noun Most natural languages have compound nouns. The positioning of the words varies according to the language. A compound noun is a noun that is made up of two or more words. In technical terms, the most common order of constituents in phrases where nouns are modified by adjectives, by participles or by other nouns. In these combinations, the first word modifies or describes the second word. Example: Noun + noun : Toolbar Adj + noun : Software Participle + noun : Warning message In the first example, the words “Tool” and “Bar” are each nouns in their own right, but if you join them together, “Tool” modifies “bar” and they form a new word – “Toolbar”. Similarly, the second and the third example are in the same rule. 1.2.2. Adverb + Noun In technical terms, another case that is popularly used is the combinations of adverbs and nouns to form new verbs which mostly belong to closed form of compound. They are often used to describe fuctions that concern in processing files via network. Example: Up + date = Update Down + load = Download The number of verbs formed by adverb and noun is very small but they appear very often on the interface of almost websites. 23
36. 1.3. Phrases A phrase is a group of words functioning as a single unit in the syntax of a sentence. Using phrases in website is essential and very popular because they can save spaces instead of long sentences while single words can not describe clearly and sufficiently about what they want. Think about common business websites, they probably include a lot of phrases as additional functions. Example: Add to cart : add the items that you choose to your virtual basket Check for updates : check for the latest version of a program Check out : to pay money after you finish shoping Sometimes, one word is considered a name of a function, but two or three words make up a more detailed phrase as function‟s name. In addition, using phrases in websites is what will make the websites easier and more friendly to the users. 1.4. Abbreviations An abbreviation is a shortened form of a word or phrase. Usually, but not always, it consists of a letter or group of letters taken from the word or phrase. In technical field, there are a lot of terms which represent the names of services, organizations, functions However, they are often very long and difficult to use or remember. To deal with this problem, using abbreviation, in which “Initialism” is the most effective way. Initialism is a group of initial letters used as an abbreviation for a name or expression, each letter being pronounced separately. Obviously, that is a useful way to simplify terms or make them to be shortened and avoid the redundancy 24
37. Example: “RSS” (Really Simple Syndication ) “DNS” (Domain Name Service / Server) Most abbreviations that are used world-wide still remain in Vietnamese even they were translated into Vietnamese. In the above examples, “DNS” and “RSS” are abbreviated in both ST and TT. If a repetitive term appears in a text, using initialism of this term will more convenient and faster for users. 25
38. 2. MEANNING OF TECHNICAL TERMS USED IN THE INTERFACE OF COMMON BUSINESS WEBSITES 2.1. Single terms 2.1.1. Single terms carrying negative meaning Vietnamese Terms Explanation equivalent Deprive of an ability or Disable function; make unable to Vô hiệu hóa perform a certain action to not agree or to be of disagree Không đồng ý different opinions To break or interrupt an disconnect Không(ngắt) kết nối existing connection dismount to take into pieces Chia nhỏ disordered not arranged in order Không theo trật tự Vietnamese Terms Explanation equivalent not able to be accessed; out of inaccessible Không thể truy cập reach; not able to be reached inaccuracy Mistaken or not accurate Không chính xác inactivated lying idle or unused Không hoạt động A lack of caution; Thiếu thận trọng, incaution the trait of forgetting or không cẩn thận ignoring possible danger incompatible incapable of being used with Không tương thích 26
39. or connected to other devices or components without modification the state or condition of being incomplete Chưa hoàn thành not complete the quality of not being useful inconvenience Bất tiện or convenient Not correct; erroneous or incorrect wrong; Faulty or defective; Không chính xác Inappropriate or improper not direct in manner or indirect Gián tiếp language or behavior or action the quality or state of being Không đủ tư cách ineligible ineligible (tiêu chuẩn) cheap: relatively low in price inexpensive Không đắt, rẻ or charging low prices not many times; not Không thường xuyên, infrequently frequently hiếm, ít khi insecure lacking in security or safety Thiếu an toàn of a quantity not able to fulfill insufficient Thiếu, chưa đủ a need or requirement Vietnamese Terms Explanation equivalent unaccomplished Not accomplished Không hòan thành Not active, lying idle or unactive Không họat động unused 27
40. Bị cấm, Không được unallowed Not allowed, forbidden phép unauthorized Without official authorization Trái phép not available or accessible or Bất khả dụng, không unavailable at hand có khả năng sử dụng unedited; not having had Không qua kiểm uncensored objectionable content removed duyệt Not officially verified, Không được chứng uncertified guaranteed, or registered nhận not being under control; out of uncontrolled Mất kiểm soát control undefined Lacking a definition or value; Không xác định cancel, annul, or reverse an undo Xóa, hủy action or its effect Không ngờ, không unexpected not expected or anticipated mong đợi unexpired Not expired; still available Chưa hết hạn not brought to an end or unfinished Chưa hoàn thành conclusion; not completed unfortunately by bad luck Không may không biết, chưa xác unknown Nameless; not known định unnamed Not having a name Vô danh unplug To disconnect from a supply Tháo, rút ra 28
41. dangerous: involving or unsafe Không an toàn causing danger or risk Not in a particular order; unsorted Mixed, not separated by Chưa phân loại property having failed or having an unsuccessfully Không thành công unfavorable outcome Vô đề, không đủ untitled Without a title thẩm quyền 2.1.2. Single terms showing repetition/ reversive meaning Terms Explanation Vietnamese equivalent Tending to be active reactive Tái hoạt động again put into a new order or rearrange Sẵp xếp arrangement The process of turning a computer system or reboot printer off and then back Khởi động lại on again, to reload the software. regain a former condition after a recover Khôi phục financial loss; return to an original state The action when a web redirect page automatically Đổi hướng forwards (redirects) the 29
42. user to another web page redo To do again Làm lại Chèn lại,đưa (đĩa) vào reinsert insert again lại reinstall install again Cài đặt lại Fetch a fresh copy of the Web page currently reload Nạp lại (trang web) displayed in the browser window cause to appear in a new renew Làm mới form a repeated order for the Tái đặt hàng, đặt mua bổ reorder same merchandise sung refund: return the repay money received Trả lại, hoàn lại previously reproduce to produce again Tái sản xuất to sell something resale Bán lại purchased change the size of; make resize the size more Thay đổi kích thước appropriate To start something again; to clear any Khởi động lại, bắt đầu restart pending errors or events lại and bring a system to normal condition or 30
43. initial state return to its original or restore usable and functioning Phục hồi condition retry To take another attempt Thử lại To go back to a prior return location; refund: repay Trở lại, quay lại the money a summary at the end that repeats the review Xem lại, duyệt lại substance of a longer discussion 2.1.3. Single terms carrying the meaning of “the person/ thing/ who/ that ” Terms Explanation Vietnamese equivalent Person skilled in Nhà phân tích Analyst analysis a person whose job involves helping to organize and supervise Administrator Người quản lý the way that an organization or institution functions someone whose Nhà quảng cáo, tờ Advertiser business is advertising quảng cáo One who, or that which, Analyzer Nhà phân tích analyzes 31
44. Buyer a person who buys Người mua a person who uses goods Consumer Người tiêu dùng or services someone who contributes (or promises Người đóng góp, cộng Contributor to contribute) a sum of tác money someone who pays for Customer Khách hàng goods or services A person who designs, Designer Nhà thiết kế as profession someone who purchases and maintains an Dealer Người buôn bán inventory of goods to be sold A person, firm or other entity which pays for or Employer Nhà tuyển dụng hires the services of another person In functional programming, filter is a higher-order function that processes a data Filter structure (typically a Bộ lọc list) in some order to produce a new data structure containing exactly those elements 32
45. of the original data structure for which a given predicate returns the boolean value true. The contractor's employee who is Investigator Nhà điều tra, nghiên cứu primarily responsible for conducting the study. a business engaged in Manufacturer manufacturing some Nhà sản xuất product someone who presides Moderator over a forum or debate Người điều hành someone who owns or Operator Chủ( xí nghiệp) operates a business someone who owns (is Owner legal possessor of) a Chủ sở hữu business someone who is associated with another in a common activity or Partner interest . . . a member of Đối tác a business or law partnership a spouse or domestic Something used or Placeholder Giữ chỗ included temporarily or 33
46. as a substitute for something that is not known or must remain generic; that which holds, denotes or reserves a place for something to come later someone who Producer Nhà sản xuất manufactures something someone whose business is to supply a Provider Nhà cung cấp particular service or commodity Company or person to Purchaser whom the property was Người mua sold a person who receives Receiver Người nhận something an artist who is a master Người tạo dựng phong Stylist of a particular style cách Visitor someone who visits Khách viếng thăm 2.1.4. Single terms with other meaning Terms Explanation Vietnamese equivalent give or delegate power Authorize ủy quyền or authority to To cause to move faster; Accelerate Tăng tốc to quicken the motion 34
47. of; to add to the speed of; To quicken the natural or ordinary progression or process of someone who takes the Alternate Thay thế place of another person To impart motion or the appearance of motion to; That which lives; Animate Sống động Possessing the quality or ability of motion; Dynamic, energetic acknowledge faults or Apologize Xin lỗi, thứ lỗi shortcomings or failing convert (a company's Capitalize reserve funds) into Dùng làm vốn capital a formal declaration that documents a fact of relevance to finance and Certificate Chứng nhận investment; the holder has a right to receive interest or dividends To impart or transmit (to another); to give a share Communicate Liên lạc of; To impart information or 35
48. knowledge of operating as a unit; "a Coordinate unified utility system"; Phối hợp "a coordinated program" To alter to suit Customize individual requirements Từy chỉnh or specifications transfer power to Delegate Ủy quyền someone a judgment of the Estimate qualities of something Đánh giá or somebody make as big or large as Maximize Phóng to possible make small or Minimize Thu nhỏ insignificant direct carefully and Navigate Thông qua, vượt qua safely commit in order to Obligate Bắt buộc fulfill an obligation direct or control: Operate Điều hành, hoạt động projects, businesses Organize Create; plan and direct Tổ chức, thiết lập turn on or around an Rotate Xoay vòng, luân phiên axis or a center make a division or Separate Tách rời separation 36
49. Terms Explanation Vietnamese equivalent (đang)hoạt động,có hiệu Active in operation lực worthy of acceptance or Acceptable Có thể chấp nhận satisfactory relating to or Administrative responsible for Thuộc về quản lý administration Affirmative a reply of affirmation Khẳng định serving or used in place Alternative Thay thế, luân phiên of another conforming to fact and Authentic therefore worthy of Xác thực belief operating with minimal human intervention; Automatic Tự động independent of external control pertaining to or Basic constituting a base or Cơ bản, cơ sở basis capable of or tending to Capable change in form or Có thể thay đổi quality or nature A perfect and/or early Changeable example of a particular Cổ điển, kinh điển style Cooperative involving the joint Hợp tác 37
50. activity of two or more of or relating to an Economic Kinh tế economy using or providing or producing or Electric Điện, chạy bằng điện transmitting or operated by electricity qualified for or allowed Eligible or worthy of being Đủ tư cách chosen not divided or shared Exclusive Độc quyền with others a person responsible for Executive the administration of a Người điều hành business high in price or charging Expensive Đắt tiền high prices including much or everything; and Inclusive Bao gồm especially including stated limits incapable of being used with or connected to Xung đột, không tương Incompatible other devices or thích components without modification Infinitive Without limitation Vô định Modular constructed with Có tính mô đun 38
51. standardized units or dimensions allowing flexibility and variety in use expressing or consisting Negative of a negation or refusal Từ chối, phủ nhận or denial easily or conveniently Portable Xách tay, di động transported a person who represents Representative Đại diện others ready for service or able Serviceable Tiện lợi, có ích to give long service applying to or characterized by or Specific distinguishing Đặc biệt, riêng biệt something particular or special or unique highly important to or an integral part of a Strategic Mang tính chiến lược strategy or plan of action Having sufficient or the required properties for a Suitable certain purpose or task; Phù hợp, thích hợp appropriate to a certain occasion Usable capable of being put to Có thể sử dụng 39
52. use having great material or monetary value Valuable Có giá trị especially for use or exchange 2.2. Compound 2.2.1. Non-idiomatic compound Vietnamese Terms Explanation equivalent is a piece of electrical equipment which displays images generated by devices Biểu ngữ quảng Banner ads such as computers, without producing a cáo permanent record is the first web page that is displayed Thẻ đánh dấu Bookmark after starting a web browser trang is a menu in a graphical user interface that appears upon user interaction, such Thực đơn ngữ Context menu as a right mouse click or middle click cảnh mouse operation a document granting exclusive right to Copyright publish and sell literary or musical or Quyền tác giả artistic work strings of letters and numbers (separated by periods) that are used to name Domain name Tên miền organizations and computers and addresses on the internet Home page A network name associated with an Trang chủ 40
53. organization (e.g., google.com or yahoo.com). Domain names are organized in a hierarchy, with each level separated by a "dot." Common organizational types are commercial (.com), government (.gov), and network (.net). In the U.S., most Internet addresses follow a standard format: name of server.name of organization.type of organization is a software application for retrieving, Trình duyệt Internet browser presenting, and traversing information internet resources on the World Wide Web A unique numeric identifier for a IP address Địa chỉ IP computer on a network Denotes how often a keyword appears in a page or in an area of a page. In general, higher the number of times a Keyword keyword appears in a page, higher its Tần suất từ khóa frequency search engine ranking. However, repeating a keyword too often in a page can lead to that page being penalized for spamming. computer software that obtains Phần mềm gián Spyware information from a user's computer điệp without the user's knowledge or consent The status bar is the bar across the Status bar Thanh trạng thái bottom of the computer screen that 41
54. displays information about the computer or programme Mặc định hệ System Defaults thống A row of icons in a graphical user interface that are used to activate the Toolbar Thanh công cụ functions of an application or operating system An account a User who uses the site has Tài khỏan người User account signed-up for dùng an agreement between all users and the Thỏa thuận User agreement owner of the website người dùng is the graphic design and appearance of Giao diện người User interface a website dùng Web address The name of a website Địa chỉ web Vietnamese Terms Explanation equivalent A boot disk is a removable digital data storage medium from which a computer Help content Giúp đỡ can load and run (boot) an operating system or utility program is a holding area for files and folders that Recycle bin are held before final deletion from a Thùng rác storage device A form with spaces in which to write Register form your information in order to check in or Mẫu đăng ký register 42
55. is the URL or local file that automatically loads when a web browser Startpage Trang khởi động starts or when the browser's "home" button is pressed Vietnamese Terms Explanation equivalent is a piece of electrical equipment which displays images generated by Reading screen Màn hình đọc devices such as computers, without producing a permanent record The operating system of a computer is its most basic program, which it needs Operating system Hệ điều hành in order to function and run other programs A scripting language, script language or extension language is a Ngôn ngữ kịch Scripting language programming language that allows bản control of one or more software applications A team of a specified website which Supporting team helps users with their problems when Hỗ trợ kỹ thuật using that website The rate at which the hard drive sends Tốc độ truyền Transfering rate and receives data from the controller tải A special service that used for Dịch vụ cập Updating service modernizing or bringing up to date a nhật program or content 43
56. An electronic response sent to the filer when certain incomplete and Tin nhắn cảnh Warning message conflicting data reporting conditions báo are encountered Vietnamese Terms Explanation equivalent Update bring to the latest state of technology Cập nhật to transfer it to or from a computer Download along a line such as a telephone line, a Tải xuống radio link, or a computer network the act of improving something Upgrade (especially machinery) by raising it to Nâng cấp a higher grade The process of transmitting a file or Upload data from your home system to a Tải lên remote destination via the Internet 2.2.2. Idiomatic compound Vietnamese Terms Explanation equivalent Information in Web pages which changes automatically, based on Dynamic database or user information. Search Nội dung động content engines will index dynamic content in the same way as static content unless the URL includes a ? mark. Dynamic IP An IP address that changes each time IP động 44
57. you connect to the Internet. Hardware is a general term for the physical artifacts of a technology. It may Hardware also mean the physical components of a Phần cứng computer system, in the form of computer hardware. Page The number of times a web page is Lượt truy cập Impressions accessed. A password is a secret word or string of characters that is used for authentication, Password Mật khẩu to prove identity or gain access to a resource written programs or procedures or rules and associated documentation pertaining Software Phần mềm to the operation of a computer system and that are stored in read/write memory An IP address that is the same each time Static IP IP tĩnh connect to the Internet. 2.3. Phrases Terms Explanation Vietnamese equivalent AdSense is an ad serving application run by Google Inc. Website Dịch vụ quảng cáo của Ads by google owners can enroll in this Google program to enable text, image, and video advertisements 45
58. A feature on ecommerce websites that allow you Add to cart Đặt hàng to add a product to your virtual shopping cart It is a function that helps users to block the Block pop-up windows Chặn cửa sổ nổi lên advertising pop-up windows automatically A function that helps Check for updates users keep their program Kiểm tra cập nhật up to date To search for files on Browse for files the local computer of the Tìm kiếm tệp tin users the act of reporting your Check in / Sign up Đăng ký presence record, add up, and Check out receive payment for Thanh toán, thu tiền items purchased A function to support Help and How-to Giúp đỡ users A function that shows the users more Learn more Tìm hiểu thêm information about what they are concerning A function of the Report broken link website for users to Báo link hỏng report about broken link 46
59. or error Put everything into its Restore to default Khôi phục mặc định initial status To take some action to access a secured Sign (Log) in Đăng nhập program or web page on a computer to take some action to indicate you are leaving Sign (Log) Sign out Đăng xuất, thoát a secured program or web a statement of what is Terms of service required as part of an Điều khoản dịch vụ agreement To manipulate a display so as to make it larger Zoom in Phóng to and possibly more detailed To manipulate a so as to Zoom out make it smaller and Thu nhỏ possibly less detailed 2.4. Abbreviation Terms Explanation Vietnamese equivalent Application giao diện chương trình API Programming Interface ứng dụng số bit trong mỗi giây, BPS bits per second bit/giây 47
60. Domain Name Services Dịch vụ tên miền (hệ DNS (System) thống tên miền) Document Type DTD Định nghĩa kiểu văn bản Definition Frequently Asked FAQ Các hỏi thường gặp Questions FTP file transfer protocol Giao thức truyền tệp tin Chương trình duyệt web IE Internet Explorer của Microsoft Nhà cung cấp dịch vụ ISP Internet service provider mạng LAN local area network Mạng cụ bộ OS operating system Hệ điều hành Really Simple Dịch vụ cung cấp thông RSS Syndication tin cực kì đơn giản Simple Mail Transfer Giao thức gửi thư đơn SMTP Protocol giản Simple Object Access Giao thức truy cập đối SOAP Protocol tượng đơn giản Stupid, Pointless SPAM Thư rác Annoying Message Structured Query Ngôn ngữ truy vấn cấu SQL Language trúc Uniform Resource URL Địa chỉ mạng Locator VPN Virtual Private Network Mạng riêng ảo Wireless Application Giao thức ứng dụng WAP Protocol không dây 48
61. là chức năng hiển thị WYSIWYG What You See Is What nội dung trang web (Whizzy-Wig) You Get được chỉnh sửa chính xác như khi hiển thị Extensible Markup Ngôn ngữ đánh dấu mở XML Language rộng 49
62. CHAPTER 3: IMPLICATION Through studying English terms in the interface of common business websites and their Vietnamese equivalents with the translation methods and strategies in chapter one, we find that different procedures are employed to translate English technical terms into Vietnamese. 1.1. Recognized translation There are many strategies applied to translate single terms. However, due to the limited time and knowledge, this paper just focus on one of the most popular strategies. That is recognized translation. Most of single words can be translated basing on original words in general text. Due to the multi-lexical meaning of word and types of translation field, word still carries the original meaning or has slight change in meaning which translators can easily realize this characteristic and find the closest meaning of word in TL. “ Hit ” , for instance, is an illustration of this strategy. It is a noun means like “ the act of contacting one thing with another ” in general text, but in ESP, according to technical field, this term is defined as “ Hit (web request), a request for a single file from the web server ” or “ lượt truy cập ” in Vietnamese equivalent. Another example is ” Browser “, normally, in Vietnamese equivalent it means like “ bộ duyệt tìm ”, but in technical field, it is described as “ a software application for retrieving, presenting, and traversing information resources on the World Wide Web ”. Thus, its meaning has been recognized as “ trình duyệt ”, we can easily find that a slightly change appears and brings us a brand new meaning. We realize that there is slight change of meaning when translating these terms in specific English with new definition. This measure is called recognized strategy. Here are some more examples : 50
63. Example: Available .Có hiệu lực Configure .Tinh chỉnh Server . .Máy chủ Unzip Giải nén View Lượt xem 1.2. Literal translation Literal translation, also known as direct translation in everyday usage has the meaning of the rendering of text from one language to another "word-for- word" (Latin: "verbum pro verbo") rather than conveying the sense of the original. However, literal translation has the meaning of technical translation of scientific, technical, technological or legal texts. This strategy is particularly common in dealing with modern concepts, especially the technical abbreviations and compound terms. Firstly, using literal translation is dramatically strong method applied for compound terms which have foreign origin. In which, translators can borrow an expression directly by translating the whole term literally or analyse the parts and replace them with similar native forms. Example: IP address . địa chỉ IP Website trang web Domain name .tên miền In the first example, “address” in ”the term “IP address” is translated literally into Vietnamese while “IP” remains its original form. By this way, a new expression has been created in Vietnamese as “địa chỉ IP”. In similarity, the second example is applied the same strategy. However, the third example is totally different. The whole word “Domain name” is translated directly into Vietnamese with the equivalent “tên miền”. Thereby, we can consider literal 51
64. translation as a very dynamic method to deal with new concepts in the form of compound terms. Secondly, literal translation is also an effective method to solve the problems with technical abbreviation. Abbreviations can cause many difficulties during the translation. With people from different communities, abbreviation is a comparatively new linguistic phenomenon. They mostly occur in the names of organizations, associations, objects etc. Example: FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) các câu thường hỏi ISP (Internet service provider) .nhà cung cấp dịch vụ mạng IP (Internet Protocol) giao thức mạng Knowing deeply technical field can greatly simplify the translation consisting of the process of reformulation of abbreviation from SL to TL. First of all it is necessary to interpret each word, which form the abbreviation. The order of words can be changed after translation. To translate abbreviations in this way will be much easier and faster. In the example “FAQ”, each parts of the abbreviation: “Frequently”, “Asked” and “Questions” are interpreted separately and independently. Then, their orders are also changed in the reverse direction in TL and give us the result “Các câu thường hỏi”. This strategy is also widely applied in translating abbreviations in other fields. 1.3. Translation by paraphrasing There is a group of terms in the form of phrases that have no corresponding or equivalent in Vietnamese. This may lead to some difficulties for the translators in their attemp to seek for an accurate and right word for an English technical term. Due to this reason, the strategy “translation by paraphrasing” has been applied to solve this problem. 52
65. Paraphrasing is to restate a term in another form or other words, by this way, translators can simplify or clarify the translation without changing its original meaning . Taking the term “overclocking” for example, we hardly can find its Vietnamese equivalent in the dictionary or books.So, how to deal with such kind of terms ? Searching its desciption on the net gives us the result “Overclocking is the process of running a computer component at a higher clock rate (more clock cycles per second) than it was designed for or was specified by the manufacturer, usually practiced by enthusiasts seeking an increase in the performance of their computers”. Combining with our own knowledge, this term has been paraphrased to “Tăng tốc phần cứng” . Therefore, it becomes not too difficult for normal users to understand or guess the meaning clearly. Another case using this strategy is when a term has different meanings in different fields, the original meaning of the term may not satisfy or suit the specific situation. For instance, the word “Trojan” is often understood in Vietnamese as the story “Ngựa gỗ thành Tơ roa” or “Cuộc chiến thành Tơ roa” but in technical field, “trojan” is described as “ A Trojan horse, is non- self-replicating malware that appears to perform a desirable function for the user but instead facilitates unauthorized access to the user's computer system” or simply “a kind of virus”. Therefore, we can paraphrase its meaning as “Virút gián điệp”. In technical field, this strategy is mainly applied to translate phrases. Taking following examples : Pop-up Blocker . Công cụ chặn các cửa sổ quảng cáo tự động mở Ship Dịch vụ chuyển hàng 53
66. Sign in Đăng nhập Sign out . Đăng xuất, thóat Sign up Đăng ký Zoom in . Thu nhỏ Zoom out Phóng to This method show that Vietnamese language still lacks corresponding words to express English terms.This causes translators confusion in choosing the right word for a specific term 1.4. Translation by omission or addition Omission techniques are the way, when translating, to reduce the pleonastic words that can be unnecessary for the meaning in the translation text. In other words, translators can make use of the omission technique to omit some redundant words, which does not really change the meaning of the version and ensure a greater degree of compression. For example, “Your ads here”, when translating directly into Vietnamese, it means “Quảng cáo của bạn ở đây”.We realize that it is not necessary to use “của bạn” and this word can be omitted .This tems will be shorter and clearer like “đặt quảng cáo” or “quảng cáo ở đây” With this strategy, the content of ST is not changed, and translators can gain a better and more natural Vietnamese TT. Furthermore, this strategy gives out a simpler understanding and avoids confusion during translation of complex compound words or complex phrases. The cases of reduction are mostly reduced the prepositions as the example “Terms of service” (“Điều khoản dịch vụ”).In TL,”of” has been removed in order to make the translation more concise. These are some terms which are translated by using this strategy : Add to cart Đặt hàng 54
67. Browse for files . Tìm kiếm tệp tin Check for updates . Kiểm tra cập nhật Failed to connect Lỗi kết nối Help and How-to Giúp đỡ Restore to default Khôi phục mặc định Translation by addition or expansion is the method that translators can add some descriptive words when translating a term from SL to TL which has no change to the content and meaning of the term. Taking “Privacy policy ” (“ Chính sách bảo mật riêng tư ”) for example, in SL, there is no “secure” or “secret” at all but we can realize the appearance of “bảo mật” in Vietnamese equivalent. It has been added in the TL in order to bring a more detailed and understandable meaning of the word Another example is “Support team” (“Đội hỗ trợ kỹ thuật”), when translating from English into Vietnamese equivalent, “kỹ thuật” was added to make the term more clearly and understandable to the users while it does‟nt exist in SL. Therefore, by the way of adding word or expansing the terms, translators can make their work become more sufficient and standard. 55
68. PART THREE : CONCLUSION This part provides a conclusion for this thesis. Firstly, the issues addressed in the study are discussed. Secondly, suggestions for further research and a final comment are made. 1. ISSUES ADDRESSED IN THE STUDY The major part of this paper is Development that consists of two chapters: Chapter one has introduced the theoretical background of technical terms and translation. Some definitions of terms and translation including English for specific purposes are given basing on acquainted websites and reliable sources. Especially, useful translation methods are introduced to the learners. In chapter two, I have made an investigation on the technical terms in the interface of common business websites. Elements in forms, structures and features of technical terms are also discussed. Moreover, how terms are used and frequency of terms are presented as detailed as possible In chapter two, technical terms from various business websites are collected, arranged and categorized into specific kinds to give learners the most effective and trusted examples. The aim of chapter two is to provide a standard knowledge and understanding to the learners in order to improve the skill of translating technical terms. The final part is conclusion which states overview of the whole study. In which, there are two small parts: part one is all the issues addressed in the study including typical strategies employed to translate English technical terms into Vietnamese; part two is my implication for further study on technical terms through the whole study. Nowadays, using English fluently has become a common situation and gradually obligate in offices. The important role of English is illustrated in 56
69. every field of human life. I chose this theme to research with the the hope that it will provide the learners a comprehensive understanding of how to translate an English technical term effectively. Due to my limited knowledge, my research has to come to a stop but I hope that it will be more completed by following people who are interested in translating technical terms. 2. SOME LIMITATIONS AND RECOMMENDATION FOR FUTHER STUDY In view of limited time and knowledge, this research cannot cover every aspect of technical terms translation and cannot even explore the presented techniques deeply. For example, only 4 strategies of translation are applied. Hence, more research needs to be done on this field to help English users easily overcome their difficulties in translation and improve their translation competence. In the time to come, Vietnam will further integrate into the world economy and culture. This progress requires translations of high quality, especially from English to Vietnamese and vice versa. Thus, more studies should be carried out to identify and how to cope with common mistakes in these translations. To deal with those issues, some recommendations are given for further study: 2.1. For students Students ought to invest much more time and effort in studying translation by searching for and equipping themselves with more knowledge about translation techniques, cultures, societies and the world so as to enrich and specialize their translation skills. 2.2. For teachers lecturing the study of translation To help students better their translation skills, teachers are supposed to provide them with profound techniques rather than word-for-word translation or the traditional ways which the students have been taught. Teachers should 57
70. also widen students‟ knowledge by giving them translation assignments in various fields. 58
71. REFERENCES Books: 1. Kelly, L.G. (1979). The True Interpreter: a History of Translation Theory and Practice in the West. New York, St. Martin's Press. ISBN 0-312- 82057-7. 2. Williams, J. & Chesterman, A. (2002). The Map: A Beginner‟s Guide to Doing Research in Translation Studies (pp.12-13). Manchester: Saint Jerome Publishing. 3. Byrne, Jody (2006) Technical Translation: Usability Strategies for Translating Technical Documentation. Springer: Dordrecht 4. Newmark, P. (1995). A text book of translation. New York: Prentice- Hall International. 5. Catford, J.C. (1965). A linguistic theory of translation. London: Oxford University Press 6. Ninda, E.A (1984). On translation. Beijing: Translation Publishing Corp 7. Bell Roger.T. Translation & translating: theory $ practice, London: Longman Group Ltd, 1991 8. Hutchinson, Tom & Waters, Alan. English for Specific Purpose: A learner-centered approach. Cambridge University Press, 1987 Internet sources: 1. George A. Miller. WordNet Search. (n.d.). Retrieved May 19, 2010 from 2. Jimmy Wales. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. (2001). Retrieved May 19, 2010 from 59
72. 3. eSpindle . Word Suffix Reference. (n.d.). Retrieved May 19, 2010 from 4. Maaliskuuta. BEC Key Word Categorisations. (n.d.). Retrieved May 19, 2010 from 5. Sidereal Designs. Website Owner's Glossary. (n.d.). Retrieved May 19, 2010 from 6. W3schools. Web Glossary. (n.d.). Retrieved May 19, 2010 from 7. Buildwebsite4u . Glossary of Web site building terms. (n.d.). Retrieved May 19, 2010 from 60