Types of Translation

Types of Translation
1)Literal Translation
Literal translation is probably the oldest type of translation practice. It involves the conveyance of denotative meaning of phrases and sentences in a text from one language to another. Therefore, literal translation works where there is correspondence between the two languages in terms of semantics(i.e. meaning ) and structure as can be illustrated by the following English sentence and its Arabic translation: Ali went to the market yesterday. ذهب علي الي السوق امس.
It should be mentioned that literal translation is different from word-for-word translation, which is often condemned as bad translation practice, especially between languages of remote origins like English and Arabic. Word-for-word translation is not recognized as mature translation practice because it does not take structural mismatches such as word order and modification, e.g.: I bought a red car. أنا اشتريت حمراء سيارة.
As can be seen, the word-for –word Arabic translation above is ungrammatical and does not make a lot of sense. Consequently ,the translator should opt for literal translation where structural differences between English and Arabic are taken care of. Thus the English sentence above should be rendered as: أشتريت سيارة حمراء.
It should be noted that literal translation often falters especially in the of multi words units like collocations an idioms as can be seen in the following example :
To pay a visit يدفع زيارة (يقوم بزيارة)
2-Metaphorical Translation
Metaphorical translation involves the translation of SL metaphors into TL metaphors .It is inevitable in literary translation, as serious works of literature abound in creative metaphors whose formal rendition in the TL is as important as the conveyance of the messages they carry. Therefore, in creative metaphors the vehicle (i.e., the form) and the tenor (i.e. ,the content) become intertwined and subsequently inseparable ,as they are indicative of the unique properties of both the author of the work of art and the SL culture. This being the case ,metaphorical translation of such creative metaphors becomes a necessity ,regardless of how hard-going the resulting TL texts will be, e.g.:
عيناك غابتا نخيل ساعة السحر
أو شرفتان راح ينأي عنهما القمر
Your eyes are two palm orchards at daybreak.
Or two balconies wherefrom the moon was receding.
3-Precis Translation
Precis translation is a translation method whereby the translator gives a TL summary of the SL text he is dealing with. Such TL summary translations usually provide the reader with only the main points of the SL text, thus ignoring many fine details that are deemed contextually unimportant or, even irrelevant .
4-Free Translation and Adaptation
Free translation is a translation method whereby an SL literary text is relayed into the TL by reproducing the matter without the manner, or the content without the form. Therefore ,it is usually a paraphrase that is much longer than the original and often wordy and pretentious.
As for adaptation , it is another translation method whereby the SL text is freely translated into the TL.

بوركت استاذنا العزيز لهذا السرد الرائع.