UNITS OF TRANSLATION AND TRANSLATION SHIFTS: A LINGUISTIC AND FUNCTIONAL APPROACH
Keywords:
translation studies, units of translation, translation shifts, equivalence, linguistic theory, functional approaches, descriptive translation studiesAbstract
This article explores the central concepts of units of translation and translation shifts, which are fundamental to the theory and practice of translation studies. The study examines how the segmentation of a source text into meaningful units influences the translator’s approach and the types of shifts that may occur in the process. Emphasis is placed on linguistic, cultural, and functional factors affecting translation choices. Drawing on key theorists such as Catford, Vinay and Darbelnet, Nida, and Toury, the article outlines a descriptive framework for understanding the relationship between translation units and shifts across various text types and language pairs. Practical examples illustrate how theoretical principles operate in real-world translation contexts.
References
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Catford, J. C. (1965). A Linguistic Theory of Translation. Oxford University Press.
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Nida, E. A., & Taber, C. R. (1969). The Theory and Practice of Translation. Brill.
Toury, G. (1995). Descriptive Translation Studies and Beyond. John Benjamins.
Vinay, J.-P., & Darbelnet, J. (1958). Stylistique comparée du français et de l’anglais. Didier.
