Techniques for Culture-Specific Item Translation in Sepha Khun Chang Khun Phaen

Abstract

This study aims to 1) classify cultural words and 2) analyze translation strategies used to convey the meaning of words and phrases related to Thai culture. The data was collected from the Sepha Khun Chang Khun Phaen manuscript of the Phra Vajirayana Library edition edited by Somdej Krom Phraya Damrong Rajanuphap as the source text and its English translation, The Tale of Khun Chang Khun Phaen, translated by Dr. Chris Baker and Prof. Dr. Phasuk Pongphaichit, as the target text. The conceptual grouping of cultural terms by Nida, Newmark, Denoun, Katan, and Gudavicius was employed in a total of 11 chapters. The results found 3,704 cultural words and phrases divided into five main categories: 1) ecological cultural items; 2) material cultural items; 3) social cultural items; 4) religious cultural items; and 5) language cultural items. Language cultural items with the highest usage comprise 29.42 percent of the total. Social-culture items include 20.00 percent, ecological cultural items 14.87 percent, and religious cultural items 8.74 percent, respectively. In terms of semantic transfer analysis, 12 translation strategies were found: 1) translation using loan words or loan words with explanations; 2) literal translation; 3) translation by paraphrasing; 4) additional translation or descriptive equivalent; 5) translation by omission; 6) translation by cultural substitution; 7) translation by functional equivalent or generalization; 8) translation by a more general word superordinate; 9) translation by using particularization; 10) translation by using synonyms; 11) componential analysis; and 12) footnote or content footnote translation. The top three translating techniques used are literal translations, loan words or loan words with explanations, and additional translation or descriptive equivalent, accounting for 26.94 percent, 21.86 percent, and 16.44 percent, respectively.