Chapter4

花不是向我开

This chapter examines linguistic approaches to translation that emerged in the 1950s–1980s, focusing on systematic categorization of "translation shifts"—small linguistic changes occurring between source text (ST) and target text (TT). Three key models are discussed:

1. Vinay and Darbelnet’s Model (1958/1995):

This comparative stylistic analysis of French and English proposes two general translation strategies: direct translation (borrowing, calque, literal translation) and oblique translation (transposition, modulation, equivalence, adaptation). The model emphasizes functional aspects of translation, analyzing shifts at lexical, syntactic, and textual levels. It introduces the concepts of servitude (obligatory shifts due to linguistic differences) and option (non-obligatory stylistic choices).

2. Catford’s Linguistic Approach (1965):

Catford introduces the term "shift" formally, distinguishing between formal correspondence (general system-based comparison between languages) and textual equivalence (specific ST-TT pair analysis). He categorizes shifts into:

  ◦ Level shifts (e.g., grammar expressed as lexis)

  ◦ Category shifts: structural (e.g., grammatical structure changes), class (part-of-speech changes), unit/rank (changes in hierarchical units), and intra-system (non-corresponding selections within similar systems).

3. Czech Scholars and van Leuven-Zwart’s Model:

Jiří Levý, František Miko, and Anton Popovič emphasize stylistic and aesthetic aspects, linking shifts to literary effect and functional equivalence. Kitty van Leuven-Zwart’s detailed model combines comparative and descriptive analysis, using "transemes" and "architransemes" to map micro-level shifts onto macro-level discourse and narrative functions. Her model aims to identify translational norms through systematic shift analysis.

The chapter highlights strengths and limitations: these models provide structured frameworks for analyzing translations but face challenges in applicability due to complexity, subjectivity in defining units of comparison, and over-reliance on linguistic features without full consideration of cultural and contextual factors. The case study demonstrates the practical application of Vinay and Darbelnet’s taxonomy, revealing frequent oblique strategies like transposition and modulation in a tourist text translation.

Overall, shift analysis advanced translation theory by moving beyond vague "literal vs. free" debates toward systematic description, though later scholars would integrate cultural and functional perspectives.