Lesson 2

P20112 : Origin and growth of Translation

This lesson traces the origin and growth of translation. It offers a definition of translation and outlines the periodic changes that have happened in the art of translation. The lesson also talks about “Manjari”, an exclusive Tamil journal for translation.

    Translation is the art of changing a written or a spoken text from one language to another. Theories regarding the art of translation have changed from time to time. Pliny asserts that word for word translation is the best form of translation. On the other hand, Jerome’s translation of the “New Testament” from Hebrew to Latin upholds the principle that, it is more important to render the meaning than attempting an exact word for word translation. The 12th century A.D. is generally regarded as the golden age of translation. A number of religious texts were translated during this period. In England, translation flourished under the rule of Queen Elizabeth.

    Frazer Taylor’s “Principles of Translation” published in 1791 is a significant work on the art of translation. Taylor insists on 3 things: 1) a translation should be able to vividly recapture the content of the source language; 2) the style adopted in the source language must be kept intact in the target language; and 3) the translation must ensure that the clarity and simplicity of the source language is retained in the target language. In the nineteenth century several English writers were involved in translation, worthy of mention among them being Thomas Carlyle. Edward Fitzgerald’s translation of the “Rubaiyat” is one of finest works of this period. It was in the twentieth century that translation established itself as a specialized discipline.

    Translation had a major impact on the Tamil literary scenario. Translation of literary texts from all over the world introduced new genres such as the prose, novel and the short story into Tamil literature. Translations of literary masterpieces from English, Russian, Chinese and Japanese languages engendered healthy literary experimentations in Tamil based on these. “Manjari” is an exclusive Tamil journal for translation.