Functional shifts (posuny)

As we have seen usually the identity/similarity of information at both ends (ST and TT), needs
a change of the original language means, i.e. translation equivalents are frequently the result of
a shift.

Catford (1967) characterized the shift as „departure from formal correspondence in the process of
going from the SL to TL”. However, we also have to take into consideration some other facts. In other
words the shift may be characterized as any change made in the original text (ST addition, deletion..)
taking into consideration also TL sociocultural reality, conventions and norms. As it is a function
which we are trying to reproduce, we speak about the functional shift.

Types of shifts may be of different types : Subjective- objective, positive-negative, linquistic-cultural.

Popovič et al. (1983) when speaking about general typology mentions the shifts based in the
following axes:

- Objective-subjective (constitutive shifts-individual shifts)

- Invarint -varian, (positive-negative shifts) based on the character and extent of a loss and
compensation and preservation of semantic and aesthetic information
- Microstructure – macrostructure (linguistics shifts: sentence level and below –thematic
shifts: actualization in time and place, adaption of the facts of everyday life, characters)
- Functional (justifies-unjustified (useless) (generic, thematic, semantic, retardation, pragmatic
shifts)
- Most frequently we speak about linguistic (systemic, constitutive), cultural and individual
shifts

Linguistic shifts are a consequence of objective facts and are based on different systems of the
languages in question (linguistic and stylistic norms) and are more or less obligatory. They are
applied in microstructure (case, tense, articles, infinitive, inflections) e.g. cast pearls before swine
– hádzať perly sviniam, time is money – čas sú peniaze

In this connection Catford applying contrastive approach, speaks about level shifts and category
shifts (futher subdivided into: structural shifts, class shifts, intra-system shifts and rank shifts.
(what is your name? Ako sa voláš)

Cultural shifts are based in different approaches to extra linguistic reality, different conventions,
traditions and usage (thematic shifts)

i. e. substitution of the original facts, actualization of time and place etc., carry coals to
Newcastle – liať vodu do dunaja, nosiť drevo do lesa, take French leave – zmiznúť po anglicky,
fresh water fish – sladkovodné ryby

Individual shifts are optional and are determined by individual approaches. They are based on
various subjective factors, such as the translators interpretation of the text and the authors
intention, translation competence, (linguistic) skills, knowledge of the socio-cultural background
of the text…. Individual shifts may be positive (frequently based on compensation) or negative
(determined especially by the competence, knowledge..) If we compare the ST and TT taking
into consideration the shifts from the stylistics point of view, we can speak about following
types/situations: the agreement, enrichment or weakening of stylistic value and emotionality.

Agreement in the stylistic equivalence and emotionality: THE beard is terrific – Tá brada je
úžasna
Enrichment of the stylistic value and emotionality of the TL equivalents (the use of more informal
and emotion expression in the TL) pretty legs – pôvabné nôžkky

Weakening and neutralization – the use of more neutral, less emotional expressions in TL.
(Listen, man, my ass is on the line – Počujte, človeče, ide tu aj o mňa.

We can state that the process of translation (as well as shift) is usually relatively complex, and it
is the case of loss and compensation. The key principle is as follows: what was taken away must
be compensated to achieve the invariant message.

Compensation may be characterized as a procedure/strategy, which involves achieving a similar

effect in the target text through the different means of expressions than those in the source text.
Compensation is most frequently used with puns, alliteration, rhyme, slang, metaphor.