Chapter 6

Abstract

This chapter explores discourse and register analysis approaches to translation, grounded in Hallidayan systemic functional linguistics, which links linguistic choices to communicative function and sociocultural meaning. House’s model of register analysis compares source and target texts based on situational variables, genre, and function, identifying translation methods (covert or overt) and potential errors. While criticized for complex terminology, it offers a structured framework for translation quality assessment, raising questions about its applicability in professional settings. Building on this, Baker and Hatim & Mason incorporate insights from pragmatics and sociolinguistics. Baker focuses on thematic and cohesion structures, while Hatim and Mason extend analysis to the social and ideological dimensions of translation, exploring how power and meaning are negotiated. Baker’s later work introduces narrative theory and framing, and Munday applies the appraisal framework to examine value-laden choices. These approaches pave the way for the culturally oriented theories explored in subsequent chapters, beginning with sociocultural models in Chapter 7.

Video Introduction

Flashcards

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Quiz

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Research Questions

Quality and errors are central to House’s model, which is written from a strongly academic viewpoint. Compare how translation errors are categorized by translator associations, translator agencies and organizations (e.g. the UN). What criteria do they give for revising translations and assuring quality? Look also at the criteria by which your own translations may be evaluated. Assess the advantages and weaknesses of these classifications, and how they compare to House’s model. Look at Mossop (2020) for additional ideas (see Further Reading).
House (2002: 107, see Further Reading) suggested that there is now ‘a trend towards cultural universalism and cultural neutralism – which is really a drift towards Anglo-American norms’. She felt that a consequence of this is a reduction in cultural filtering. How much cultural filtering do you note in texts translated into your languages?
Find translations of President Obama’s 2009 inauguration speech in your own languages. How do the translators deal with questions of dynamic language, including the degree of evaluation, potentially contested key concepts and pronoun choice? What differences do you note between translations and interpretations of the speech?

Discourse and Register Analysis Approaches