CHAPTER 1 - EXERCISE

Task 1: Work in groups and fill in the blanks with appropriate phrases given.
source language target language oral transfer
cultural barriers rendering message receiver
communicate interculturally

1. Translation is the process of conveying messages across linguistic and ............... (Ian Tudor, 1987)
2. Translation is the replacement of textual material in one language (.................................) by
equivalent textual material in another language (.................................) (Catford, 2000)
3. Translation is ................................ the meaning of a text into into another language in the way that
the author intended the text. (Newmark, 1998)
4. Interpreting is the ................................... of messages between speakers of different languages.
(Gentile et al,1996)
5. To interpret is to ................................. with the message sender and the .......................................
whose languages and cultures are unknown to each other. (Nguyễn Quốc Hùng, 2010)

Task 2: Choose the correct answer for each question.

1. ………… is the translation within the same language
A. Interlingual translation C. Intralingual translation
B. Intersemiotic translation D. Transmutation
2. Translation from one language to another is termed ………
A.Translation proper C. Intralingual translation
B. Intersemiotic translation D.Rewording
3. ……… is the conversion of text from one script to another.
A.Translation proper C. Intralingual translation
B. Intersemiotic translation D.Transmutation
4. The translation of ‘absolute monopoly” as “độc quyền tuyệt đối” is termed …………
A.Translation proper C. Intralingual translation
B. Intersemiotic Translation D.Transmutation
5. The translation of “déjà vu” as “the strange feeling that in some way you have already experienced
what is happening now, but in reality you haven’t” is termed …………
A. Translation proper C. Intralingual translation
B. Intersemiotic Translation D. Transmutation
6. The translation of “tổng sản phẩm quốc nội” as “Gross Domestic Product (GDP)” is termed ……..
A. Translation proper C. Intralingual translation
B. Intersemiotic Translation D. Transmutation
7. The adaptation of the book “Lords of the Ring” into movie is termed …………….
A. Interlingual translation C. Intralingual translation
B. Intersemiotic Translation D. Transmutation
8. Which of the following is an example of Transmutation?
A. “Monetary policy” is translated as “chính sách tiền tệ”.
 B. “Accountability” is translated as “responsibility”.
C. “Accountability” is translated as “trách nhiệm (giải trình)”.
D. “x is more than y” is translated as “x > y”.
9. Which of the following is NOT an example of Transmutation?
A. “ΔABC = ΔDEF” is translated as “triangle ABC is congruent to triangle DEF”.
B. “∫f(x) dx” is translated as “a function whose derivative is f”
C. “2 + 7 = 9” is translated as “two plus seven equals nine”.
D. “A is a subset of B” means “A là tập hợp con của B”.
10. Which of the following is an example of Translation proper?
A. “Spear phishing” is translated as “the fraudulent act of sending emails ostensibly from a
different person’s account in order to obtain confidential information”.
B. “Fixed cost” is translated as “chi phí cố định”
C. “Aesthetic” is translated as “relating to beauty or refined taste”.
D. “f(x) = x/2” means “f of x equals x divided by 2”

Task 3: Decide if the following translations are Semantic or Communicative.

1. I would like to make a few comments. → Tôi muốn bình luận đôi câu.
2. I have just returned from a visit to my landlord → Tôi vừa mới trở về từ chuyến ghé thăm người
chủ nhà của tôi.
3. I don’t want to talk to him whom I will be troubled with. → Mình chả muốn tôi chuyện với hắn
đâu dây dưa rề rà lắm.
4. Vấn đề nầy không thể giải quyết được.→ This problem cannot be solved.

Task 4: Translate these sentences semantically and communicatively.

1. Nhớ gửi thư cho mình nhé.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
2. Hàng hóa nầy bán đắt như tôm tươi.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
3. Oh my God! Oil price is rising again!
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
4. One day you’ll find someone who doesn’t care about your past because they want to be your future.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Task 5: Choose some appropriate translation types for each kind of documents.
1. Legal documents: .............S...................................................................................................................
2. A recipe: ......................C........................................................................................................................
3. Laptop manual: ......................................................................................................................................
4. Brochures: .............................................................................................................................................
5. Inauguration speech of Obama..............................................................................................................
Task 6: Match the words with the correct definitions.
A. Intralingual translation D. Intersemiotic translation G. Documentary translation
B. Interlingual translation E. Communicative translation H. Instrumental translation
C. Semantic translation F. Covert translation I. Overt translation

1. It is the transference of meaning from a verbal to a non-verbal sign system. D

2. It is a translation intended not to be recognized by target readers as translations. F
3. It is the transference of verbal signs by means of other signs of the same language. A
4. It gives priority to the effectiveness of the message, focusing on factors such as readability and
naturalness, and is appropriate to translations of “pragmatic” texts where the actual form of the
original is not closely bound to its intended meaning. E
5. It is the transference from one language into another or reinterpretation of the message in another
linguistic code. B
6. It functions as an instrument of communication, working independently of a source text, and is
judged on how well it expresses its message. H
7. It gives highest priority to the meaning and form of the original, and is appropriate to translations
of source texts that have high status. C
8. It is a translation intended to be recognized as translation, because it is more closely linked with
the source culture. I
9. It is a bit like reported speech, presenting itself as a report of something else. G

Task 7: Each word below depicts a characteristic of translation or interpretation. Put them into
the correct column.

fluency speak business meeting accuracy legal contract

write real-time delayed highly aesthetic refinement
dictionaries note-taking verbal time pressure microphone

TRANSLATION INTERPRETATION
fluency,speak,business meeting,real-time, note-
legal contract,write,highly
taking, time pressure, microphone,
aesthetic,dictionaries,accuracy,delayed,refineme
……………………………
nt………
……………………………
……………………………
……………………………
……………………………
……………………………
……………………………
……………………………

Task 8: Find solutions for each following situation.

a. You have provided a wrong translation of important information in a contract and this might cause
disastrous consequences. What code of ethics is violated?
....ACCURANCY AND COMPLETENESS....................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................................
b. You have just found out that today you have to interpret for your love rival in a big conference.
You really don’t like him. Moreover, he is going with the girl you like. However, you still accept the
assignment. What code of ethics is violated?
.............NO CONFLICT OF INTEREST.................................................................................................
c. Your employer wants you to translate part of the Qu’ran Holy Book. In fact, you have little
knowledge and interest in Muslim. What code of ethics is violated?
................PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPEMENT & NO CONFLICT OF INTEREST ...................
.............................................................................................................................................................
d. You have added some parts into the translation of a legal document and received some money for
this action. What code of ethics is violated?
.......ACCURANCY AND COMPLETENESS............................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................
Task 9: Identify what principle is violated in the following translations.
1. Cấm người điều khiển các loại xe có mùi bia rượu. → It’s forbidden to drive car with alcoholic
smell.
…ACCCURATE………………………………………………
2. Sự thiếu vốn để tiến hành cạnh tranh dài hạn là nguyên nhân chủ yếu để dẫn đến sự sụp đổ của 80%
số công ty. → Cash flow problem for long-term competition is the main cause for the shutdown of
80% of all companies.
…ACCCURATE………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
3. Tuyên dương công trạng của Ủy ban Thường vụ Quốc Hội. (Article heading). → Recognition for
achievements of National Assembly Standing Committee
…ACCCURATE……………………………………………………………………………………….
4. Người dân Huế vẫn giữ được phong cách tao nhã, vẻ dịu dàng và sự trầm lắng của đất thần kinh.
→ Hue native people still keep the refined manners, the gentleness and quietness of the crazy land.
…ACCCURATE………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
5. Chúc quý khách thượng lộ bình an. => Wish you the upper road of peace!
…………COMMUNICATIVE =>ACCURATE……………………………………………………….
6. Justin Bieber re-stuck in a Nipplegate scandal (Article heading -Guardian). => Justine Bieber lại bị
dính chấu vào một vụ xì căng đan lộ hàng.
………BEAUTIFUL……………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
7. It is estimated that profits will increase sharply next year. => Nó được ước tính rằng doanh thu sẽ
tăng mạnh năm tới.
………COMMUNICATIVE & BEAUTIFUL => ACCURATE……………………………………….
8. Cho trẻ em gặp khó khăn đặc biệt! => For extremely difficult children!
………
ACCURATE………………………………………………………………………………………………
…
Task 10: Choose the best answer for each question.
1. A translator should master a wide knowledge of nutrition and diseases if he has to translate in a
medical setting. What kind of criteria is it?
A. Knowledge competence ü B. Linguistic competence C. Interpreting competence
2. A translator misused the word “Negro” to indicate the Black people. What criteria did he violate?
D. Knowledge competence E. Linguistic competence ü F. Interpreting competence
3. An interpreter tries to add more information to the interpreting process, explaining what
mitochondria or metabolism is to a group ordinary listeners. What is the requirement of his
professional job and should he do it?
A. Knowledge competence – B. Translating competence – C. Linguistic competence –
he shouldn’t do it he should and has to do itü he should do it
4. An interpreter is always speaking with monotonous voice and slow speed. What criteria of
interpretation did he violate?
A. Knowledge competence B. Linguistic competence C. Interpreting competenceü
5. Lý Lan translated Harry Potter by using extensively and beautifully a wide variety of Vietnamese
synonyms to explain fantasy world, such as “Tử thần thực tử” for “the Death Eaters”. What criteria
of translation did she master?
A. Knowledge competence B. Linguistic competenceü C. Interpreting competence

Task 11: Find 2 examples for each translation issues.

1. Intralingual translation: wrong definition, don't know how to rephrase……………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
2. Intersemiotic translation: …………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
3. Covert translation: the translation is distingguishable from non- translated, It doesn't have full
meaning
4. Overt translation: the translation ins't closely linked with the sources culture, It doesn't translate word
by word
5. Instrumental translation: the translation depends on a source text , It doesn't express well its message
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
6. Documentary translation: the translation isn't faithful to the original text, It depends on opinion of
translator …………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Task 12: Read the statements and decide if they are TRUE or FALSE.
1. If you have a good knowledge of two languages, you can translate well. Fü
2. Translators cannot be replaced by computers. Tü
3. Translators just need good dictionaries or reference documents. Fü
4. Translation and interpreting are totally different. Tü
5. I know Portuguese and Finnish, so I can translate those languages well. Fü
6. Translation has existed longer than interpretation. TJ F
7. Semantic translation means rendering the message that is as close as possible to that of the target
text. Tü
8. Translation means a change in form and meaning. F ü
9. Translators/Interpreters don’t have to respect their clients’ right to privacy and confidentiality.Fü
10. Criteria for a professional translator are knowledge competence and linguistic competence. Fü
11. Translation is the process of conveying messages across linguistic barriers.TJ F
12. The adaptation of the book “Harry Potter” into movie is termed Translation proper. Fü
13. Slogan is an example of covert translation. FJ T
14. Documentary translation attempts to produce on its readers an effect as closely as possible to
that obtained on the readers of the original Tü