Translating Oral Narratives from Mixe to Spanish for Linguistic Purposes Carmen Jany California...
-
date post
20-Jan-2016 -
Category
Documents
-
view
218 -
download
0
Transcript of Translating Oral Narratives from Mixe to Spanish for Linguistic Purposes Carmen Jany California...
Translating Oral Narratives from Mixe
to Spanish for Linguistic Purposes
Carmen JanyCalifornia State University, San
Introduction
This talk Mixe Language Fieldwork and Speakers Linguistic Fieldwork Transcription and Translation
Data and Process Challenges and Solutions
Conclusions
Mixe Language
Mixe Language Mixe-Zoque Language Family Spoken in Oaxaca & Veracruz, Mexico Limited documentation => unclear
how many languages, dialects, varieties (each village with different variety)
Ethnologue: 10 languages Chuxnabán Mixe: 900 speakers
Language Family Trees - Mixe-Zoque, Mixe Mixe (10)
Eastern Mixe (6) Mixe, Coatlán [mco] (Mexico) Mixe, Isthmus [mir] (Mexico) Mixe, Juquila [mxq] (Mexico) Mixe, Mazatlán [mzl] (Mexico) Mixe, North Central [neq] (Mexico) Mixe, Quetzaltepec [pxm] (Mexico)
Veracruz Mixe (2) Popoluca, Oluta [plo] (Mexico) Popoluca, Sayula [pos] (Mexico)
Western Mixe (2) Mixe, Totontepec [mto] (Mexico) Mixe, Tlahuitoltepec [mxp] (Mexico)
Mixe Language
Mixe Language
Fieldwork and Speakers
Preparation Readings on other languages Recording equipment Plan for data collection
In the village Ask for permission Identify speakers/consultants Find interpreters for monolinguals
San Juan Bosco Chuxnabán, 2008
San Juan Bosco Chuxnabán, 2008
Familia Canseco, 2008
My room, 2008
At work, 2008
Purpose of linguistic fieldwork Document the structure (=grammar) and
lexicon of the language Archive original data for future reference Examine and organize the data
Grammar Dictionary Scholarly articles (shape linguistic theory) Educational materials for language preservation
and/or revitalization
Conflicting interests Community and Academia
Linguistic Fieldwork
Data collection and Process Collect and record oral narratives Transcribe oral narratives (= write down
each word) Need for a transcription assistant
Translation Two types = two lines
Word by word Meaning of entire sentence (free translation)
Transcription and Translation
Transcription/Translation Example
Transcription and Translation
Challenges and Solutions False Starts Repetitions & Discourse Markers Vocabulary
Cultural/regional lexicon Same word-different meaning/translation Verbs with no Spanish equivalents Taboo words Placenames
Transcription and Translation
False Starts Could be linguistically significant
(so, they have to be noted) Consultant will notice error Example: Cuento del sol y la luna
Solution: Note as False Start; Edit out for community archive
Transcription and Translation
Repetitions and Discourse Markers Represent oral style/spoken language
Solution: Write narratives as heard; Do not alter/leave out words or repetitions (but may leave out words in free translation)
Transcription and Translation
Discourse Markers (pues, entonces, así) Do not contribute to the meaning of the
story, but may be relevant linguistically (nëntu’un = así; evidentials: ntiijmëch = así dicen)
Solution: Write discourse markers
Transcription and Translation
Vocabulary: Cultural/regional lexicon Spanish Dialects: Which one do you choose? Explanation of cultural/regional lexicon Examples
topil = policía del pueblo tlacuache = zarigüeya tenate = canasta guajolote = pavo
Solution: Write translation as noted by consultant
Transcription and Translation
Vocabulary: Same word-different translations ko = como, cuando jä’ä = el, ellos, estoy, era jamp = en, allí, a jap = en, allí
Solution: Need linguistic analysis to determine function/meaning; note translation provided by consultant
Transcription and Translation
Vocabulary: Verbs with no Spanish equivalent Mixe is a polysynthetic language (=a lot of
information encoded in verbs) Mixe has a rich system of compounding
(=combining words to form new ones)
Solution: Describe/summarize meaning
Transcription and Translation
Vocabulary: Verbs with no Spanish equivalent Different concepts found in Mixe verbs and
expressions encontrar la muerte = morirse encontrar el sueño = dormirse cansarse de la mano = cansarse de aguantar
Solution: Use literal translation
Transcription and Translation
Vocabulary: Taboo words Words that consultant does not feel
comfortable translating ixchaa = nalgas (donde se sentó) yaatë’ëny = cagar (desechar)
Solution: Be insistent/ask for explanation
Transcription and Translation
Vocabulary: Placenames Placenames with and without
Spanish equivalent Placename with special meaning
Solution: Note all information Example: Narrative (handout)
Transcription and Translation
Conclusions
Ongoing process Revisions and refinements
Two types of translations For the linguist For the community Third type? => Readers who are not linguists nor
community members General solution to translation challenges
Note everything consultant indicates Don’t leave anything untranslated Review & take note of inconsistencies Maintain oral narrative style and do not alter main
version to be archived
Dios kujuuyëp!
¡Gracias!