A Study on the Problems Occurred in Novel Translation

Abstract

Translation is the comprehension of the meaning of the text and the subsequent production on an equivalent text that communicates the same message in another language. In this translation process translators definitely face many problems. This study is on the problems of translation in both Sinhalese and English languages. The originals and translations of "Village in the Jungle", "Madol Doova" and An Historical Relation of Ceylon" have been used as primary resources. Problems in translation were classified as lexical, structural, ethical, and cultural and ambiguity problems. Also there are some solutions that can overcome these problems. Lexical problems appear in words, idioms, phrases, collocations. Translating grammar particles such as tenses, active and passive voice, articles and language structure include in structural problems. Culture is the most important and complicated problem that a translator should concentrate on as he has to make the readership understand the culture in the source text. Some cultural words may be deeply rooted in that given culture. Translators' ethical attitudes, personal values and beliefs should not cause any effect in the translation. If it happens the content of the source text will be distorted. When a translator is comprehensive about the language of the source text, ambiguity is not an issue. However the original ideas, attitudes of the author of the source text should be included in the translation. Accordingly translation is a difficult task, but it is not impossible if the translator has a better comprehension in source language, source culture, target language and target culture.