On Untranslatability And Its Compensation

Translatability is a term used to discuss the extent to which it is possible to translate language unites or texts from one language to another. The problem of translatability and untranslatability is a long-debated issue in translation field. They are contradictory entities.Discussion of the issue of translatability and untranslatability falls into two main stages: in the primary stage, people focused their attention on the possibility of translation. With the development of translation, scholars in the field have shifted their attention to the degree of translation. Actually, translatability and untranslatability are relative. The transferring from untranslatability to translatability is dynamic instead of being static. With increasing frequency of cultural communication and great efforts of translators, translatability degree will move upwards and become higher.The principle of isomorphism can be used in translation to explain translatability and untranslatability. From the principle of isomorphism in universal life, logical thinking, language and culture become universal and permeable. However, relativity of isomorphism leads to linguistic differences and cultural barriers in communication.Untranslatability can be divided into two categories: linguistic and cultural. Also, it may be classified as being both relative and absolute. Absolute untranslatability is extremely limited while relative untranslatability is obviously in existence and can be translatable with the development of translation.Language has three major functions: cognitive and expressive, cultural, and aesthetic functions. They are closely related to translatability and untranslatability. Generally, language units or textual elements with cognitive and expressive function are translatable, with cultural function are partly translatable and with aesthetic function are untranslatable. In order to deal with untranslatability, three major compensation strategies are introduced: functional equivalence, semantic and communicative translation, and addition of footnotes. As new issues are apt to turn up in translation, compensation strategies have to be further explored, which helps to push forward translation theory and practice.