Browsing by Author "Jayasinghe, D.G.T.A."

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A Comparative Study on Translating Advertisement in Print Media
(University of Kelaniya, 2015) Jayasinghe, D.G.T.A.
This paper focuses on translating advertisements that appear in print media (Newspapers) and this type of translation which falls into the category of Technical translation carries some significant features that occur in translating them into either Sinhala or English. In this process the problems that occur in translating them are also given consideration. It should be noted that, the advertisements that appear in Sinhala and English weekend newspapers such as Lankadeepa, Dinamina, Sunday Observer and Sunday Times are subjected to this study using comparative methodology. However, a content analysis is done in order to identify those specific features. Thus it is revealed that the use of the same words appear in the original advertisement, use of mixed language, short forms, creating new words and addition and omission are seen. Thus, all these significant features are capable of dragging the attention of the reader, which is the main responsibility of the translator in this type of translation.
Dialectal variations identified in selected Tamil short stories
(2015) Jayasinghe, D.G.T.A.
The Difficulties Encountered in Literary Translation and the Possible Solutions
(Department of Linguistics, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2016) Jayasinghe, D.G.T.A.
This study focuses the attention on the difficulties encountered in literary translation and the ways of overcoming them in producing an effective translation. Accordingly, the difficulties that a translator may encounter are as follows: translating cultural words, similes, metaphors, taboos, idioms, phrases and proverbs, using dialogues according to characters and context, protecting the meaning, rhythm and format in poetry translation, conveying the idea using limited number of words in poetry translation, translating feelings and underlying meanings in drama and poetry translations. Data analysis is done with a qualitative approach using comparative methodology. Thus, the following solutions could be used in overcoming the difficulties such as: translating culture while making the reader understand the meanings of the cultural words, not harming the source culture and avoiding culture shocks when translating taboos, using foot notes where necessary, using equivalents if there are any, if not use a word, idiom, phrase, proverb that give the same meaning, using dialogues, descriptions, writing style according to the context, characters etc, using the theory of omission and addition where necessary. Thus the translator could overcome the difficulties by using aforesaid solutions in dealing with a literary translation.
The difficulties faced by students who learn Tamil as a Second Language when they are taught by Sri Lankan Tamil (Jaffna Tamil) and Muslim Tamil teachers
(Faculty of Humanities, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2016) Jayasinghe, D.G.T.A.
The focus of this research is to study the difficulties faced by the students who learn Tamil as a Second Language, when they are taught by both Sri Lankan Tamil (Jaffna Tamil) and Muslim Tamil teachers. The data was gathered by conducting interviews with 2 subject experts and 30 students who learn Tamil as a Second Language, in the University of Kelaniya. Data was subjected to a comparative study with a quantitative analysis. Accordingly it is found that the students face difficulties as there are Phonological, Morphological, Syntactic and Semantic differences in the same utterance, when it is expressed using both dialects. At the same time problems in question forms, word endings, reduplicated progressive in Muslim Tamil, and use of Arabic and Sinhalese words instead of the real Tamil word, by Muslim teachers could be cited. On these occasions the students tend to think that Muslim Tamil is easier than Jaffna Tamil. The reason is that, in Jaffna Tamil there are specific grammar rules even in the spoken variety but not in Muslim Tamil. Even the students are misled thinking that Arabic and Sinhalese words are original Tamil words. However, in finding solutions, it is found that learning Sri Lankan Tamil (JT) makes it easy for the students to grasp the written variety, because Sri Lankan Tamil is close to the written variety. That is hard to be done when they are taught Muslim Tamil. Sri Lankan Tamil is recommended to be taught to Second Language students, as it does not cause difficulties, by the subject experts too as it is close to the written variety.
Does the poetry translator betray to the original poem? : a study on the problems faced by a poetry translator
(Book of Abstracts, Annual Research Symposium 2014, 2014) Jayasinghe, D.G.T.A.
Poetry translation is the most complex area of Literary Translation. If this also fits into the theories in other fields like Science, translating a poem would not be a difficult task. As this is a creative task, the question arises; ?Can the poetry be translated?? The objective of this research is to find out the problems encountered by a poetry translator, and find out whether he could translate every aspect of the relevant poem. However, the translator has to face immense difficulties such as; understanding the meaning conveyed through the original poem properly, preserving the meaning of the original poem, its rhythm and format, mismatch of similes and metaphors of the original poem to the target audience and culture and conveying the idea using limited number of words and translating feelings and underlying meanings. In finding these difficulties a qualitative analysis is done using comparative methodology. At the same time some of the problems are found through self experience and practice. In order to overcome them, the translator has to translate the meaning of the original poem, if possible, while preserving the format. He should have knowledge in Source language, its poetry tradition and poetic techniques. Moreover, he should be a good poet in his mother tongue. Thus, with these solutions a translator could get closer to the original poem. Even though he tries hard, only a part of the poem could be translated. Translating the entire original text and its feelings, cannot be done completely.
Drama Translation: the problems and Solutions
(University of Kelaniya, 2015) Jayasinghe, D.G.T.A.
Translating drama falls into the field of Literary Translation and it is considered quite complex as this deals with an audience of different types. At the same time a drama is to be enjoyed, understood and felt by the audience in the very place where it is staged. It is evident that educated people tend to read scripts of dramas, but the focus of this study is to find the difficulties in translating a drama not for the readers but for a live audience. The fact that an audience is not of equal understanding is the most felt difficulty. Translating taboos and slang, similes and metaphors, using language according to the context and characters, understanding the background of the original story and its setting and translating feelings can be cited as the other difficulties. The study was carried out using qualitative analysis with comparative methodology. However, a drama translator could overcome them by using matching similes, metaphors to the target audience. Moreover, slang and taboos can be used when necessary while not causing undue distress to the target audience. He should be familiar with both Source and Target Languages and their cultures.
The Problems Encountered in Religious Translation and How to Overcome Them
(Department of Linguistics, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2016) Jayasinghe, D.G.T.A.
The present study deals with the problems encountered in religious translation, which is one of the most complex areas of translation studies. In this area the translator faces some serious difficulties such as understanding the meanings of the religion related terms, gathering sufficient information to describe them, translating them in a way that the reader could grasp what is conveyed, translating ga:tha and shlo:ka (religious stanzas), adopting the exact language writing style according to the religion and grasping the essence of the particular religion before translating the text. In finding solutions to the above problems, qualitative analysis is done using comparative methodology. Accordingly, the solutions such as consulting a reliable source/person to gather information about the terms appear in the religious text, referring books on the particular religion and getting a good understanding, studying the writing style of the other books that present the essence or preaching of the relevant religion before starting the translation. Thus the translator could use the above given solutions for an effective religious translation without causing mistranslations.