The Essence of Problems in “Translating From Turkish into English”
By Kıvanç ERSÖZ / Trabzon
Translation is, probably, considered as one of the most difficult concepts in language and literature. Because it has no concreate formulas or ways to solve. It mostly, demands and depends on ability of the translator. Eventhough there are lots of books, articles written about the nature of translation, they were not enough, or they do not make a person a good translator. They can only give some ideas and advise some clues on translation. Even, you go abroad and learn language there by interaction to the culture, it might not be enough. Because translation is a very huge and broad concept.
Translators in Turkey find the translation from Turkish into english much more difficult than the vice versa. Because there are lots of problems which are likely to be faced during the process of translation.Here, we can name some of the major problems. The first one is, the “cultural differences” between Turkish and English. Turkey and England are two different countries and so there are certainly lots of differences between these two countries. When you try to translate a word, or a meaning which is not found in English culture, you really create a headache for yourself. Because there is not a corresponding word or concept of that word in English which will give the exact sense. For example; when you try to translate the Turkish word “Estağfurullah” , how can you translate it? Because in English there is nothing like that. Their culture does not include such a concept. Yes, you may translate it indirectly or by adding some notes to make the readers understand, but it will be boring and undesirable especially if it is a litearary work. Eventhough you live in England and learn how to use some major concepts in specific situations, it won’t be enough for you to create the same nuances when you try to translate.
In literary translations, especially in poems, these problems occur more than ever. Rober Frost once defined poetry as that which cannot be translated. Such a thought suggests enormous difficulties in making the highest verbal art of one language system and culture accesible to another. The biggest problem occurs when we try to give the same taste in the translated poem as in the original poem. However sometimes it will not be possible to do it. Because the Turkish and English ryhme is quite different. Turkish contains more rhyme than English poetry. Therefore, when we try to translate a Turkish poem into English, we will lose the taste of the original one. The real problem that rises here is whether we should be faithful to the original poem or else?. Some man of letters suggest that we add some new words to the translated work in order to catch the similar rhyme and melody. On the contrary, some who are against this point of view, argue that it will corrupt the core sense of the original work, and it will be unfaitful to add or delete some words from the original ones. In my opinion, both sides may be right to a certain extent. There are some translated works which are even better than the original ones. Because English has lots of words and phrases enabling us to grasp better tastes by using these phrases and words if they suit the works well.However, in general the translated works are not enough to give the real taste of the original ones. Therefore, it is really challenging to create the same thought, same meaning and same melody for the readers.
Another major problem in translating from Turkish into English occurs when we try to translate the novels or plays. The main problem in this issue is “accent” problems. In many novels written by Turkish authors you will see the folk people talking in his / her own accent, and this gives the real taste and real image to the books. How can anyone translate the accent into English? Can we omit the parts which contains accent and replace them with correct Istanbul dialect? Will it be good for the work? Will it solve the problems of accent translating?. Exactly no!. Because if we exclude accent, we will obviously lose the taste and effect of the novel.For example; when you exclude the accent of a typical Anatolian fellow, you will lose the humor, effect, and tone when you translate it. Therefore, it really constitues problem when we try to translate works which are full of accent.
The cultural background of the audience for whom we translate the works will certainly effect the translation and cause problems for both the translator and the readers. Because English people have different backgrounds and views towards life. It will not be easy to create the same effect as the original work gives. Because in Turkey we have lots of phrases and sentences in our books which are related to our past, our history and our view of the world. Therefore, we need to pay great attention for the translations in order to create similar senses and feelings in the target language and in the target audiences.
There are not certain solutions to these problems, but some translators argue that if you educate yourself in abroad by interaction to the culture, customs and certain situations you will in a great degree learn how to translate and how to give the similar meanings when you exchange information between languages. Also, some argue that translators will get assistance from the native English speakers who know Turkish well. I think this will help the translators to some extend but it won’t be enough.
As a conclusion, I can say that translating from Turkish into English is one of the most difficult fields of translation, as these two languages presents too much differences between themselves and this kind of translation requires too much effort, ability, and knowledge of both the target language and the main language. Eventough we have great translators in Turkey, we still have to work on these problems. It seems to me that some of these will continue in the future because of the nature and differences of these two languages. Optimistically, lets hope that next generation translators will find better solutions to the problems in translation.