The types of modulation as a technique of prose and poetry translation

Abstract

The paper considers the types and reasons of using such technique of translation as modulation. Modulation is defined as a variation through a change of viewpoint in the target text. This technique is investigated on the basis of the Ukrainian translations of the classical prose and poetry of the 19-20th centuries. Two major types of modulation are singled out: the substitution of cause by effect and the change of the point of view. In the translation of prose texts by D. Thomas and A. Lawrence both types are used, thus revealing the creative approach and the ability to imagine the described situation. The use of modulation is determined by the described situation and the use of extended metaphors. Literal translation is not relevant in this case, as it does not reveal the emotional state of the main character. In such case the subject of the source-text sentence becomes the object in the target-text utterance. A somewhat different approach can be applied in discussing poetry translation. The analysis of translations of E. Poe’s and R. Kipling’s poems by such outstanding people as D. Palamarchuk and M. Strikha shows that both varieties of modulation are used to retain the rhyme and reduce the number of words in the lines. In the analyzed poems the technique of modulation is applied in rendering extended metaphors as well as antithesis to increase the emotional effect. Modulation is one of the features of Maxim Strikha’s style of poetry translation. By means of this technique, the translator foregrounds the main idea of the sentence (stanza) – the idea of strong love (E. Poe), of nobleness and decency (R. Kipling).