Speech Functions and Translation

Tamara I.
Leontieva
Lectures on Translation Theory
Department of Cross-cultural
Communication and Translation
Study
Foreign Languages Center
Vladivostok State University of
Economics
2008
SPEECH FUNCTIONS AND
TRANSLATION
Theory and Practice

Language Functions
Communicative Cognitive (formulating

thoughts)
Karl Buhler
(Austrian linguist)
1. Expressive function
2. Appealing (focusing on the receptor)
3. Referential (representing objects and

phenomena)
Yuri Stepanov
(semiotic principle)
1. Nominative function
2. Syntactic function
3. Pragmatic function
Language vs Speech
Functions
Language Functions Speech Functions
a) Are universal and a) Are typical of a

constant certain speech
event
b) Are realized through b) Are temporary, as
speech the speech event is
temporary
Speech Functions
(according to Roman Jakobson)
1. Referential (informative)
2. Expressive (emotive)
3. Conative (voluntative)
4. Phatic (contact-making)
5. Poetic (aesthetic)
6. Metalingual (describing language)
M.A.C. Halliday
Following M.A.C.Halliday, translation

theorists added one more speech
function to the list, it is interpersonal
function which
a) implies the speaker’s intervention in
the use of language and
b) the expression of attitude.
Interpersonal Function and
Modality in Translation
Subjective modality
Objective modality
1) Modal verbs, modal
1) category of mood words, syntactic
[particles, adverbs: constructions: She’s
hardly, scarcely and reported to defect
the like] the country.
2) Assertion or denial 2) Particles: ведь,
of facts [categorical хоть, неужели,
character of Russian вряд ли: He can
speech] hardly have said it.
Expressive Function in Translation
1. Emotive semes: «You, old fool», said Mrs.

Meade tenderly.
2. Expressive semes (intensifiers):
a) They attacked him violently (physical
assault). They violently attacked him (verbal
assault).
b) He’s kind of clever - Он вроде умный (infl.
AmE).
To be continued.
-2
c) У меня скорее лапы отсохнут, чем я
прикоснусь к чужому … I’d rather have my
paws wither and fall off than touch what
belongs to someone else [special syntactic
constructions].
d) Similes, metaphors: Don’t dirty your hands
with that money. Весна уже на пороге -
Spring is coming very soon.
Expressive Function in
Translation - 3
3. Appreciative semes (approval,

disapproval): What a man!
a) Какой человек!
b) Ну и тип!
Ванечка, подожди минуту!
Vanya! Wait a minute [Lost form of
diminution].
Expressive Function in
Translation - 4
4. Stylistic semes (lower or elevate the

tone of speech): K.Chukovsky’s famous
example: Светловолосая дева, чего ты
дрожишь?
a) Рыжая девка, чего ты трясешься?
b) He commenced to scratch his back.
c) Мамаша, что вы мелете?
-5
5. Pragmatic semes: They arouse the
communicants’ particular background
associations:
a) Союз нерушимый … Stars and
Stripes, Star-Spangled Banner, Old
Glory;
b) Different symbolic associations (The
Moon for an Uzbek is a girl’s beautiful
face. For A. Pushkin: Кругла, бледна
лицом она, как эта глупая луна).
Phatic Function in Translation
(calling somebody’s attention, greetings,
interruptions, vocatives, small talk, etc.)
a) Phrases for calling attention and asking

to repeat::
Excuse me – Простите, девушка, вы
не скажете…
AmE: I beg your pardon / Pardon.
To be continued
Phatic Function in Translation
(calling somebody’s attention, greetings,
interruptions, vocatives, small talk, etc.)
b) Forms of address: Mr., Mrs., Miss, Ms. – the

latter is for a female who does not want others
to know if she is married or not. Tr.: Mrs. Mary
Brown – Mrs. John Brown (г-жа Браун,
супруга Джона Брауна). “Miss” is becoming
rare. Position or vocation: Mr. President,
Ms.Chairperson, Officer, Doctor Brown – д-р
Браун (an Am. Professor).
Conative Function in Translation
(commands, prohibitions, requests,
permissions, advice, invitations, etc.)
1. A translator should be aware of the

differences in expressing requests: May
I introduce my wife to you? In Russian it
is imperative: Разрешите представить
вам мою жену.
2. Imperatives in English are accompan -
ied with “please”: Give me a call,
please. To be continued.
Conative Function in Translation
(commands, prohibitions, requests,
permissions, advice, invitations, etc.)
3. Conative function may signal s/th

different: У вас есть часы? – What time
is it now?
4. Utterances with performative verbs: I
inform you, I congratulate you.
Home assignments:
1. Read Proshina’s book of Theory of
Translation, 1999. - Pp. 200-217.
2. Enlarge on the examples basing on the
English or American literature you are
reading.
3. Prepare 2-3 interesting questions on
the material covered for the seminar.

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Tamara I.

Theory and Practice

Communicative Cognitive (formulating

2. Appealing (focusing on the receptor)

3. Referential (representing objects and

a) Are universal and a) Are typical of a

Following M.A.C.Halliday, translation

1. Emotive semes: «You, old fool», said Mrs.

3. Appreciative semes (approval,

4. Stylistic semes (lower or elevate the

a) Phrases for calling attention and asking

b) Forms of address: Mr., Mrs., Miss, Ms. – the

1. A translator should be aware of the

3. Conative function may signal s/th

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