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Vinay and Darbelnet s Framework

Jean-Paul Vinay and Jean Darbelnet (1958)
Jean Darbelnet (1904-1990) was born in Paris and studied at the Sorbonne before
working as a reader at the universities of Wales, Edinburgh and Manchester. In 1938-39 he
taught French at Harvard before moving to Canada in 1940, where he taught at McGill
University from until 1946, setting up a three-year programme of night classes in translation.
He later taught at Bowdoin College and Laval University.
Jean-Paul Vinay (1910-1999) was born in Paris and studied English at the Sorbonne
before obtaining an MA in Phonetics and Philology from the University of London in 1937.
In 1946 he moved to Canada, where he taught at the University of Montral as professor and
head of the department of Linguistics and Translation. In addition to his work on translation
he directed publication of the bilingual Canadian Dictionary in 1962 and became well-known
through a television course Speaking French. In 1967 he moved to the University of Victoria
in British Columbia.
The two general translation strategiesThe two general translation strategies identified
by Vinay and Darbelnet (2000) are direct translation and oblique translation, which hark back
to the literal vs. free divisions. Indeed, literal is proposed by the authors as a synonym for
direct translation. These two strategies comprise seven procedures, of which direct translation
covers three: borrowing, calque, and literal translation. (Munday, 2001)
Borrowing: The SL word is transferred directly to the TL. Sometimes
borrowings are employed to add local color. E.g.: SUSHI > PIZZA >
Calque: This is a special kind of borrowing'. where source language is
transferred in a literal translation. E.g.: skyscraper >
Literal Translation: Word-for word translation, which Vinay and Darbelnet
describe as being the most common among languages of the same family and culture. Literal
translation is the authors prescription for good translation. It is the direct transfer of a SL text
into a grammatically and idiomatically appropriate TL text. E.g.: GOOD MORNING >

Oblique translationIn the cases where literal translation is not possible, Vinay
and Darbelnet suggest the strategy of oblique translation. This covers four further procedures:
transposition, modulation, equivalence and adaptation.
Transposition: Change of one part of speech for another without changing the
sense. (change of verb to noun, noun to verb, noun to phrase, adjective to noun and noun to
adjective) E.g.: RECONSTRUCTION OF THE CITY IS VERY IMPORTANT,
RECONSTRUCTING THE CITY IS VERY IMPORTANT, TO RECONSTRUCT THE
CITY IS VERY IMPORTANT
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Modulation: It changes the semantics and point of view of the ST and has ten
subcategories of abstract for concrete, cause-effect, part-whole, part-another part, reversal of
terms, negation of the opposite, active to passive and vice versa, space for time, rethinking of
intervals and limits (in space and time), and change of symbol (including fixed and new
metaphors).
Abstract for concrete, e.g. to sleep in the open: ( ) [ to sleep in
open air]
Cause-effect, e.g. you are a quite a stranger: [ I have not seen you
for a long time]
Part-another part, e.g. he read the book from cover to cover:
[he read the book page to page]
Part-whole, e.g. synecdoche:[metonymy]
Reversal of terms, e.g. hope and fear: [fear and hope]; to take an exam:
[to give an exam]
Negation of opposite, e.g. take it easy: [ dont take it hard]
Active to passive(and vice versa), e.g. they were examined: [ they
examined them].
Space for time, e.g. here, we define the term: [ now, we
define the term].
Rethinking of intervals and limits (in space and time), e.g. I come back in a minute:
[ I return in a few minutes].
Change of symbol(including fixed and new metaphor) e.g. he is as strong as a horse;
[he is as strong as Rostam].
Equivalence: Vinay and Darbelnet use the term equivalence to refer to the
cases where languges dscribe the same situation by different stylistic or structural means.
E.g.: soup >
(It is the best way of translation for translating the expressions, idioms, onomatopoeia
sounds) E.g.: to carry coal to New Castle >
Adaptation: This involves changing the cultural reference when it does not
exist in the target language or would be considered inappropriate in the target culture.
Adaptation is the last resort for the translator, since the meaning alters E.g.; wine >


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References:
De;zendehrooy, M., Karimnia, A. A comparative study of modulation in English translation.
of Khayyams quatrains. Adeniz Language studies conference.
Novawati., H. AN ANALYSIS OF TRANSLATION PROCEDURES OF ACCOUNTING.
TERMS IN A BILINGUAL TEXTBOOK FOR GRADE XII OF SENIOR.
Ni, L. (2009) For Translatoin and Theories.
Pizzuto, A. Translation Procedures: The technical Component of the Translation Process
(presentation).
KANSU-YETKNER, N. TRANSLATION STRATEGIES. (presentation)