Criteria for the effective translation of spoken discourse: the evidence from selected modern Spanish texts

Sproule, Kent Arthur (1995) Criteria for the effective translation of spoken discourse: the evidence from selected modern Spanish texts. PhD thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

The objective of this thesis is the formulation of a set of guidelines, criteria, which will serve as a bench mark for those who wish to attempt the translation of non-oral spoken discourse. This will be achieved by the examination of three modern Spanish texts and their translated equivalents in English.

The Introduction sets the study in context and attempts to study the notion of translation in a general context before moving on to a closer examination of the translation of spoken discourse, and the problems which this form of language engenders. Chapter 2 examines the novel El Jarama and its translation in the light of a wide range of the published translation theories of Peter Newmark, and attempts to apply these systematically, in order to evaluate the effectiveness, or otherwise, of these theories. Chapter 3 examines Tiempo de silencio and its English language version, paying particular attention to the forms of discourse employed in the original, notably internal monologue, and the way that these formats affect the impact of the Spanish text, before moving on to examine how these issues have been dealt with in translation. Other elements which may be of relevance to the translator, such as layout and symbolism, and their effect on spoken discourse, are investigated. Chapter 4 deals with a play, Las cartas boca abajo, and its translation for the radio. This study looks at the problems associated with this medium in the context of spoken discourse, as well as examining a number of problems associated with the text, including culture and expansion.

The conclusion attempts to set all the points raised in context and address the problem of drawing up a definitive list of criteria for the effective translation of spoken discourse.

• Item Type: Thesis (PhD)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Subjects: P Language and Literature > PB Modern European Languages
• Colleges/Schools: College of Arts & Humanities > School of Modern Languages and Cultures > Hispanic Studies
• Supervisor's Name: Walters, Prof. Kent Arthur
• Date of Award: 1995
• Depositing User: Elaine Ballantyne
• Unique ID: glathesis:1995-1805
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 13 May 2010
• Last Modified: 10 Dec 2012 13:47
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/1805