Rendering of Trite and Original Devices

A translator should be fully aware of the degree of expressiveness of stylistic devices used in the text. A line of distinction must be drawn between what is stylistically trite and what is stylistically original. It especially refers to lexical stylistic devices: deliberate mixing of words belonging to different layers of the vocabulary, metaphors, metonymies, epithets, similes, etc. stylistic equivalence is a fundamental requirement.

Publicist and newspaper styles have different accepted norms in English and in Russian and in conformity with these norms certain stylistic modifications may be necessary. For instance, colloquial and even slang words are frequently used in English newspaper style and therefore a typical modification in translating English newspaper texts into Russian is a switch from colloquial or neutral to literary. Such changes are due to a somewhat greater orientation of Russian newspaper style towards literary norms and standards.

You don’t have to be a history buff to enjoy historic houses in Britain but it helps.

Не нужно быть историком педантом, чтобы наслаждаться посещением исторических зданий, но это помогает.

The word “buff” is a highly colloquial, if not slangy word, meaning “a dull, slow-witted person” (Webster III). In the translation its stylistic reference is elevated and it is rendered by a literary word (педант).

A certain toning down is sometimes necessary in the translation of such lexical stylistic devices used in newspaper articles as metaphors, metaphoric epithets and metonymies.

Metaphors are found in all emotively coloured styles of language but metaphors in the Belles-Lettres style (in imaginative prose) are usually original whereas original metaphors in newspaper style are rare, trite metaphors are, as a rule, given preference. The object pursued by editorials to bring the reader round to the paper’s point of view, to suggest that paper’s interpretation is the only correct one. Editorials appeal not only to the reader’s mind but to his feelings as well. That accounts for an extensive use of various stylistic devices, metaphors in particular. But unlike metaphors in imaginative prose metaphors in editorials can be easily replaced if necessary. Such substitution may be caused by different usage, different valency or different TL norms.

The communists were the friends of peace in the foul weather of the cold war.

Коммунисты были верными защитниками мира в мрачные дни холодной войны.

The collocation скверная погода холодной войны would violate the norm of Russian stylistic usage as would the combination друзья мира.

The Suppression of Communism Act of 1950 in South Africa, however, was only the opening wedge of suppression. (W.Pomeroy).

Закон о подавлении коммунизма в Южной Африке был принят в 1950 г. однако это было только началом репрессий.

Oil prices in 1973 soared into orbit.

В 1973 г. цены на нефть невероятно подскочили.

Toning down is resorted to in translating trite metonymies which are so extensively used in English.

Red carpet for the Oil Prince.

Britain is pushing the boat out this week for the first official visit by one of the world’s most powerful man, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia and the most influential voice in world politics.

Пышная встреча нефтяного властелина

Англия усиленно готовится к первому официальному визиту на этой неделе одного из самых могущественных людей в мире – наследного принца и премьер-министра Саудовской Аравии, человека, чей голос имеет решающее значение в международной политике.

The headline metonymy (red carpet) is replaced by the words expressing the notion which it stands for (пышная встреча).

The second metonymy is preserved by means of addition.