Recategorization

1. Recategorization • Recategorization = translation strategy which consists in changing the grammatical category of the element keeping at the same time the equivalence of meaning. • Keep refrigerated = Conservare al fresco, conservare in frigorifero. • From = mittente.

2. When is recategorization used? • The syntactic structures of the source language may differ from the syntactic structures of the target language. Recategorization becomes advisable or mandatory when the structures of the two languages either are different or have different levels of frequency. The application of this strategy results in a modulation of the text. Among other results, this modulation can produce nominalization or denominalization. • Nominalization = verb or adjective in the ST → noun in the TT. • I’d rather exercise than eat too much = Preferisco l’esercizio al troppo cibo

3. Denominalization = noun in the ST → verb in the TT: For patrons only = riservato ai clienti Recategorization implies a change in grammatical category. A more general change is brought about by transposition, where other elements may be changed. Recategorization may be internal (within a given language), or may be a result of the passage from SL to TL.

4. Non credo che verrò • Credo che non verrò • Non penso che sia vero • Penso che non sia vero • Direi che è falso • Secondo me è falso

5. Recategorization in translation • No smoking → ………………. • No waiting → ………………. • No parking → ………………. • No entry → ……………….

6. Requests(oral/written) Requests are a typical example of different attitudes in the formulation: • Shut the door, please • Keep the window shut, please • Will you please shut the window Of course, different formulas can be used in the SL too, what we have to take into account is their original formulation and our approach in translation. How do we behave when translating?

7. Denominalization • As time goes by Colloquial: Man mano che il tempo passa But in case of denominalization: • Con il passare del tempo. Notice the function of the infinitive: con il passare and analyze the effect it produces. • At the end of the day Colloquial: Alla fine del giorno/della giornata But in case of denominalization: • Sul finire del giorno. Here too, analyze the effect produced by the use of the infinitive. Is it a verb? What impression does this form convey?

8. Recategorization: adjective+noun → noun+ suffix use of suffixation (English→Italian) • A nasty word • A nasty look • A nasty temper • A light wind • A tiny box • A big man

9. Recategorization and sentence structure • Though their life was modest they believed in eating well • There was no sign of Gabriel and his wife • Gabriel glanced at her • Listening to the skirts that swept • It had gone off in splendid style

10. Recategorization and sentence structure • For an Arab owned her • Ne era proprietario un arabo

11. As the buttons of his overcoat slipped with a squeaking noise through the snow-stiffened frieze, a cold fragrant air from out-of-doors escaped from the crevices and folds. • Via via che i bottoni uscivano scricchiolando fuor dal tessuto, la fragranza fredda e pungente dell’aria esterna sfuggiva dalle pieghe e dalle aperture del mantello.

12. stiffened snow frieze (tessuto di lana morbido e soffice) irrigidito Morbida e soffice fredda