Monolingual Literary Translation: Issues And Comments

The growing interest in translation studies arises from the compelling need to share knowledge both on bilateral and multilateral bases through the instrumentality of language. This feat has been accomplished in technology, science, arts and culture among others. The present study aimed at discovering the creative efforts of translating literary material from the source language (SL) into target language (TL). An expert in French and English translated a literary piece of 117 words originally written in English into French using the technique of monolingual translation. In analyzing the translation, it was discovered that the French translation produced more literal language than the English source text. Perhaps French and English have more in common linguistically and culturally. Expectedly, the utilitarian end of translation: producing the exact text in the translated text as in the source text was achieved through the use of various translation techniques. The suggestion here is to provoke more research interest in the area of translation since it (translation) facilitates cooperation among nations and peoples in a knowledge based society.