The triangular process
Posted: Tue Feb 18, 2025 6:13 am
The Interpretive Theory of Translation (ITT) is a concept that was first established in the 1970s by Danica Seleskovitch, a French interpreter and scholar.
Seleskovitch did not believe that translation was merely a linguistic activity. She viewed translation as a triangular process: source language to sense and then sense to target language. In other words, the translation process is one of comprehension followed by deverbalization and then reformation.
The triangular process ITT
ITT recognises that meaning is not confined to any language, or the graphic symbols used to display guatemala mobile database that language. Cues provided by the language are combined with cognitive inputs from the reader to render meaning. So, as sense is dependent on the cognitive inputs of individuals, interpretation is always to some extent variable according to the knowledge and experience of the individuals concerned. However, there are always significant overlaps between the comprehension of different individuals or groups to the extent that communication can be effectively established.
Deverbalisation in ITT
Deverbalisation in ITT
The translation process is understood by many to be merely one of comprehension followed by reformation. ITT lends a third stage to the process – deverbalization. We can all understand this concept as we experience it every day. For instance, we will remember the sense or core message of a news story but not the exact words used to convey it. Awareness of an event and its significance is retained while the signs and symbols used to communicate it are quickly forgotten. Deverbalization in translation is the practice of focussing on the awareness and understanding of a message rather than the precise sequence of signs and graphic symbols used to communicate it.
Reformation in ITT
The Interpretive Theory of Translation suggests that translators will retain awareness of the sense of messages and should then evolve the best way to convey that understanding in the target language. This could result in translations that bear little relation to the words and expressions featured in the source material. The prudence of this approach is support by neuropsychology as it is understood that language and thought are processed in different areas of the brain.
Seleskovitch did not believe that translation was merely a linguistic activity. She viewed translation as a triangular process: source language to sense and then sense to target language. In other words, the translation process is one of comprehension followed by deverbalization and then reformation.
The triangular process ITT
ITT recognises that meaning is not confined to any language, or the graphic symbols used to display guatemala mobile database that language. Cues provided by the language are combined with cognitive inputs from the reader to render meaning. So, as sense is dependent on the cognitive inputs of individuals, interpretation is always to some extent variable according to the knowledge and experience of the individuals concerned. However, there are always significant overlaps between the comprehension of different individuals or groups to the extent that communication can be effectively established.
Deverbalisation in ITT
Deverbalisation in ITT
The translation process is understood by many to be merely one of comprehension followed by reformation. ITT lends a third stage to the process – deverbalization. We can all understand this concept as we experience it every day. For instance, we will remember the sense or core message of a news story but not the exact words used to convey it. Awareness of an event and its significance is retained while the signs and symbols used to communicate it are quickly forgotten. Deverbalization in translation is the practice of focussing on the awareness and understanding of a message rather than the precise sequence of signs and graphic symbols used to communicate it.
Reformation in ITT
The Interpretive Theory of Translation suggests that translators will retain awareness of the sense of messages and should then evolve the best way to convey that understanding in the target language. This could result in translations that bear little relation to the words and expressions featured in the source material. The prudence of this approach is support by neuropsychology as it is understood that language and thought are processed in different areas of the brain.