Modals and modality in translation: a case study based approach Cover Image

Modals and modality in translation: a case study based approach
Modals and modality in translation: a case study based approach

Author(s): Irena Brdar, Božana Knežević
Subject(s): Language and Literature Studies
Published by: Filozofski fakultet, Sveučilište Josipa Jurja Strossmayera, Osijek
Keywords: modal verbs; deontic modality; shift; translation

Summary/Abstract: This paper reports on findings from a recent study. On the basis of corpora, two legislative pair texts, cross-linguistic issues around modals and modality in Croa-tian and English were investigated. In addressing modality in the two texts, the study explored the semantic areas that included obligation, and whether or not something was necessary, desirable, permitted or forbidden. The aim was to cap-ture the translatability of Croatian deontic modals into English, and to describe a possible shift in modality that occurred in translation. An account that describes the similarities and differences in translation of the source text into the target text is provided.

  • Issue Year: XII/2011
  • Issue No: 2
  • Page Range: 117-145
  • Page Count: 29
  • Language: English