Abstract
Background and Purpose: Although translation generally involves the transfer of meaning from the source language (L1) to the target language (L2), it may also involve a third language or L3, that is, any other language(s) found in either the source or target text. Language variation in a source text presents a challenge to translators, as they need to deal with both L1 and L3. This paper aims to explore the issue of language variation in a source text to see how L3 is rendered in translation. More specifically, the aim is to explore how L3 segments in French, Latin and Italian in a text in English entitled Malay Sketches are dealt with when the text is translated into Malay, and to determine the effects resulting from the solutions taken by the translators.
Methodology: L3 in Malay Sketches are first identified. These L3 segments are subsequently mapped to their counterparts in the Malay translation, Gelagat & Ragam Orang Melayu. This mapping results in source language-target language pairs, which are then analysed to determine the solutions taken by the translators. These solutions are categorised based on the framework of translation solutions in L3 translation by Corrius and Zabalbeascoa (2011).
Findings: It was found that L3 translation generally involves substitution in which L3 is translated into Malay. Consequently, language variation, a defining feature of the source text, becomes invisible in the Malay translation.
Contributions: This study hopes to contribute to and expand current discourse on L3 in translation, especially in view of the fact that scant attention had been paid to L3 translation in Malaysia.
Keywords: Malay Sketches, language variation, multilingual text, third language, translation.
Cite as: Haroon, H. (2024). Dealing with language variation in a source text: Malay Sketches and its Malay translation. Journal of Nusantara Studies, 9(2), 537-556. http://dx.doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol9iss2pp537-556
Publisher
SCI AND TECH UNIVERSAL INC