“Developing the Sensibility to Language Effects in Translator-Training Courses"

Assuming the mastery of L1 and the knowledge of English L2, advanced translator-training courses should develop the ability to discriminate the relevant phonological and rhythmical aspects which contribute to the special effects of “expressive” texts. As far as this is the aim, translation may be considered a useful tool in developing a sensitivity to languages based on the conscious perception of the effects of the L2 as well as on the sound awareness of the L1, in order to obtain comparable, if not equivalent, results in the target text. Literary texts are good “stuff” to practise this ability: in fact, it is not just a matter of understanding obvious “surface” meanings, but also of detecting or sensing deeper meanings and evocative effects which make up the author’s original “idiolect.” These can be conveyed by a fusion of lexical, syntactical and “musical” (phonological and rhythmical) elements. The translator’s task is to grant a fair balance between the ST and the text in translation. They should therefore be trained to understand if, when and how to recognize the inevitable losses due to this transition from L1 to L2 and to find the right balance between rigour (i.e. respect for the author’s intentions) and mediation (i.e. the translator’s right to a degree of qualified freedom). Examples illustrate the theoretical assumptions.