TRANSLATION AND SIGNED LANGUAGE: HIGHLIGHTING THE VISUAL-GESTURAL MODALITY

Rodrigues, Carlos Henrique

doi:10.5007/2175-7968.2018v38n2p294

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Artigos • Cad. Trad. 38 (2) • May-Aug 2018 • https://doi.org/10.5007/2175-7968.2018v38n2p294 copy

TRANSLATION AND SIGNED LANGUAGE: HIGHLIGHTING THE VISUAL-GESTURAL MODALITY

TRADUÇÃO E LÍNGUA DE SINAIS: A MODALIDADE GESTUAL-VISUAL EM DESTAQUE

Authorship SCIMAGO INSTITUTIONS RANKINGS

Abstract

Linguistic Studies and Sign Language Translation and Interpreting Studies have highlighted the characteristics and effects of the visual-gestural modality. Considering this, we briefly study the translation and interpreting processes that occur between a visual-gestural and a vocal-auditory language, which have been termed intermodal, as opposed to processes that take place within the same language modality (intramodal). We distinguish translation process from the interpreting process, demonstrating that although these processes share several characteristics, they are operationally and cognitively different. Based on this, we reflect on the modality issue regarding the categorization of the intermodal processes, translation and interpreting, and their impacts on them. We have seen that the study of modality and its effects on the translation and interpreting process must be conceived as one of the elements of translation competence for the intermodal translator or interpreter.

Keywords
Sign Language; Modality; Translation; Interpreting; Intermodal

	TRANSLATION	INTERPRETING
Language skills and abilities	Prioritization of the skills required to deal with the written modality: reading and writing.	Prioritization of the skills required to deal with the oral modality: listening and speaking.
Work rhythm	The professional sets his / her own pace according to time pressure.	The author of the speech imposes his / her own rhythm; the professional must to adjust to it.
Presentation of the source text	The text is available on a support (physical or virtual), can be reread and the professional can review it as needed.	The text is in constant flux and, in most cases, cannot be seen again or repeated, even if the professional needs it.
Work method	The job can be paused or organized into stages.	It is almost impossible to interrupt, delay or fragment the work.
External support (materials and other resources)	External support can be sought in glossaries, dictionaries, colleagues and other translations.	There is little or no external support, basically resorting to memory or, immediately, the work partner, albeit to a limited extent.
Possibility of correction before delivery	The text can be completely revised making necessary adjustments and changes.	No changes can be made without being seen by the audience.
Situational aspects of the activity	Limited context focused on the translator’s workspace.	Multiple contexts, from intrasocial to international.
Use of technology	Indispensable, writing tools and materials are essential.	Dispensable, can occur with nothing more than the body itself.
Contact with the client / audience	Indirect, minimal or nonexistent contact, often with a large time lag between the process of translation and the delivery of the final product.	Direct, meaningful and effective contact, most often with the audience present at the time of the interpreting.

	VOCAL-AUDITORY	VISUAL-GESTURAL
Language production	Built on sounds: production of audible speech (source of sound internal to speaker).	Built on gestures: production of visible signing (source of light external to signer).
Phonological organization	Linearity is more explored (the auditory system forces words to be sequentially organized).	Simultaneity is a main feature (the capacities of the visual system effectively contribute to simultaneity).
Medium (channels through which a language is conveyed)	The medium for speech is fundamentally onedimensional (speech plays out over time).	The medium for signing is multidimensional (the articulatory and perceptual characteristics give signed languages access to dimensions of space and time).

INTERMODAL TRANSLATION	INTERMODAL INTERPRETING
Activity less common than interpreting that has gradually gained more space and prominence, mainly in the academic environment.	Very common activity and is mainly responsible for the visibility of sign languages in Translation and Interpreting Studies.
Materials translated to / from sign languages frequently present the target text side by side to the source text (often in sign language, written texts, dubbing, some type of voiceover etc.).	The target text is often presented to the public without the use of booths or technological equipment (except in large events in which the interpreter is projected into big screens and booths for when the final product is in a spoken language).
Since sign languages do not have a consolidated and socially disseminated writing system, video recordings of its ‘signed version’ are used in several translation processes, making the translator visible.	Since sign languages are visual-gestural, the interpreter is always visible to the audience.

INTERMODAL TRANSLATION (WRITTEN)	INTERMODAL TRANSLATION (UNWRITTEN)
SL_written →SPL_written (from SW/ELiS/SEL into Text-PTw)	SL_{video-‘signed’} → SPL_{audio/video-oral} (from video-Libras into Text-PTs, Dubbing, voice-over)
SL_{video-‘signed’} → SPL_written (from video-Libras into Text-PTw, Subtitles)
SPL_written →SL_written (from Text-PTw into SW/ELiS/SEL)	SPL_{audio/video-oral} → SPL_{video-‘signed’} (from video/audio PTs into Video-Libras, ‘Subtitles’ in Libras)
SPL_{audio/video-oral} → SL_written (from Video/audio-PTs into SW/ELiS/SEL)

INTERMODAL INTERPRETING (VOCALIZING)	INTERMODAL INTERPRETING (SIGNING)
SL_‘signed’ → SPL_oral (from discourse in Libras into discourse in PTs)	SPL_oral → SL_‘signed’ (from discourse in PTs into discourse in Libras)

Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina Campus da Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina/Centro de Comunicação e Expressão/Prédio B/Sala 301 - Florianópolis - SC - Brazil
E-mail: suporte.cadernostraducao@contato.ufsc.br

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[1] Carlos Henrique Rodrigues. Email: carlos.rodrigues@ufsc.br