The translation theory was issued as independent science at the beginning of the last century. Its basis was formed by researches in the field of the translation of fiction. At that time the strongest the Russian school of translators had positions. Maxim Gorky who made a lot of efforts for the translation into Russian of the most valuable works of the world literature stood at the origins of new science.
Instruction
1. Formation of science about the translation is connected with researches in the field of comparative linguistics. Many scientists-literary critics made more than once attempts to create universal and general translation theory of texts. For this purpose it was required to reveal the regularities peculiar to any language and to reduce them in the harmonious and logically verified system. As a result several concepts of the translation which provisions quite often contradicted each other were born.
2. Researchers considered work on the translation of texts as separate branch of linguistics. At the first stage of formation of new scientific discipline it was important to define accurately the place of translation theory among other linguistic disciplines. Interfered with the solution of this task contradictory approaches to the concept of translation activity which sometimes lay in the different planes of ideas of the subject of the new theory.
3. Representatives of the Western European school of the translation, recognizing translation theory as independent science, nevertheless consider that its functions are similar to functions of comparative linguistics or even stylistics. In works of representatives of the Soviet school of the translation, one of leaders of which long time was Korney Chukovsky, this theory appears as separate literary science.
4. Different approaches to terminology influenced also the solution of a question of classification of the phenomena which are considered in translation theory. A considerable part of scientists adheres to the system of concepts which cornerstone the features of vocabulary and functional styles peculiar to any texts are. Other researchers consider that it is not necessary to be limited to the similar bases by drawing up typology, and it is necessary to take more wide range of categories of language as a classification basis.
5. Almost none of the theorists working in science about the translation call into question the fact that direct work with texts is the cornerstone of this activity. The text is some kind of cultural code by means of which the author gives to the reader the thoughts, feelings and images. The problem of translation theory in this sense consists in the fullest and adequate transposition of text units from one language on another. In other words, the translator becomes a creative dekodirovshchik of the text.
6. The modern translation theory turned into linguistic science about private and general regularities of information transfer at its translation from original language on other languages. The purpose of such theory is to give in the translator's hands the efficient tool and technical knowledge by means of which the expert will be able to translate texts with the minimum distortions and losses. Having mastered theory bases, the translator has an opportunity to combine intuitive understanding of art of the translation with the technicians checked by practice and methods of work on the text.