Undergraduate Research Conference on Linguistics (URCL)
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Item A Study on Translating Idioms from English to Sinhalese(Department of Linguistics, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2016) Nanayakkara, A.; Nagodawithana, A.; Madhusanka, C.Every language has its peculiar turns of expression. The peculiar uses of particular words and phrases which have become stereotyped by usage are known as the idioms of a language. It is generally agreed that idiomatic phrases cannot be translated literally from one language to another without altering the meaning, if not making the expression completely meaningless. Hence many of the translators tend to omit idiomatic expressions while translating. This study is an examination on the translation of idioms from English to Sinhalese. In the course, publications on idioms were evaluated as the primary source. The knowledge garnered have been further analysed by questionnaires given to students reading Translation Studies at the University of Kelaniya. After analysing the data gathered, it could be perceived that idioms could be classified in to several groups. Immense is the influence of environment and culture of a palticular linguistic race or nation in the above classification of idioms. Hence this phenomenon can be attributed to intercultural and inter-linguistic relationship in human activity. Accordingly idioms could be classified in to three prominent categories. The first category of idioms could be translated directly while retaining the sense of the original whereas the second category of idioms could be translated with a parallel idiom; most telling equivalents. Absence of a parallel idiom was identified as the third category where the only possible solution is to explain the general idea conveyed by the original expression. Thus, if the idioms are inapplicable to first and second categories, advancing ahead with paraphrasing, slanguage, simplified words and phrases is rather befitting in translation and is regarded as the most comprehensive strategy.Item Translation as a Method of Teaching and Learning a Foreign Language(Department of Linguistics, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2016) Kankanange, S.; de Silva, M.; Jayaweera, A.Translation is considered as a traditional methodology of teaching and learning a foreign language as a second language. It encourages the L2 learner to think in one language and transform into another by acting as a mediator. This fundamental process of teaching and learning a foreign language (L2) which enables the L2 learner to understand similarities and differences between two languages was initiated to learn classical languages such as Latin and Greek. This research focuses on the advantages and disadvantages of using Translation as a method of learning & teaching a foreign language (L2). Translation has been traditionally used to teach grammar. It allows the teacher to depict equivalent and non-equivalent structures between the first language (L1) and the foreign language (L2). Many practical benefits could be gained through the process of translation that improves the new language (L2) ability. Through this method, L2 learner's language skills could be developed by applying the classroom gained knowledge such as grammar, composition, and interpretation of texts in a practical manner. This is one of the most prevalent beliefs among language learners (L2 learners) and language teachers as well. However as any other method, there are positive aspects as well as negative aspects of using translation in language teaching and learning (L2) since it's a process that handles two different languages (Ll and L2) which represent two different socio-cultural identities. In conclusion, this research proves that translation is an accepted, widely used, successful method in teaching and learning a foreign language (L2).Item Cultural Issues Regarding the Translation of Dramatic Texts(Department of Linguistics, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2016) Bandara, W.A.A.I.; Ranasinghe, J.K.D.P.; de Silva, T.P.M.A drama is a composition in verse or phrase intended to portray life or character or to tell a story usually involving conflicts and emotions through actions and dialogues. A drama is typically designed for theoretical performances. The written version of a drama is known as the script or the dramatic text and converting this text into a different language is known as the translation of dramatic texts. The objective of this research is to find out the manner that culture influences the translation of dramatic texts and the strategies that can be used to overcome the challenges that rise during the process. "The Caucassian Chalk Circle" by Bertolt Bretcht and its Sinhalese translation "Hunu Vataye kathawa" by Henry Jayasena are used as primary sources and data were collected by comparing the two texts. The cultural data of the source text and its translation were categorised according to several topics namely religious terms, political views, class distinction, food and beverages, life style, parlance, and clothing items. Accordingly, it was discovered that cultural words appearing in the source text can be entirely different from those of the target culture. Therefore, having sufficient knowledge regarding both cultural backgrounds are vital in order to overcome the problems encountered in translating. Further, it was identified that methods such as borrowing, use of cultural equivalents creation, reconstruction are among the methods used by dramatic text translators in addition to direct translation method. Thus, for a successful dramatic text translation in which the target readers are allowed to ascertain an unknown culture effectively, having adequate knowledge in both source language and target language along with their respective cultures is important for a translator. Both primary and secondary data were collected by referring to subject related books and Google websites.