References wanted or ambiguous meaning: a lesson from history

Croesus, the last king of Lydia and the fellow we all want to be richer than*, decided in 546 BC to make a war on Persia. Being a careful man Croesus sought advice from the oracle at Delphi. Should he invade Persia, or shouldn't he?

According to the legend the oracle answered, "If you cross the river Halys, you will destroy a mighty empire."

Croesus interpreted this sentence as a good omen and proceeded to attack Persia. But after many setbacks, the king was taken prisoner at Sardis.

The oracle had been right. By waging war on Persia, Croesus did destroy a mighty empire — his own.

King Croesus was a victim of an ambiguous reference. The oracle's prophecy contained the phrase "a mighty empire" which could have referred either to Lydia or to Persia. Because Croesus failed to analyze the sentence, his kingdom Lydia ceased to exist.

*As rich as Croesus — богат как Крёз.

Reference problems are mostly caused by the ambiguous use

of pronouns:

Examples:

Guilt and bitterness can be emotionally destructive to you and your children. You must get rid of them (of who or that?)

Laffing at misspellings or ubiquities Miss Print

— Floods from the Mississippi may be prevented by putting big dames an the river. (dams)

— Four coarse meals. (course)

— Today's special: barely soup. (barley)

— Man arrested for possession of Heroine. (heroin)

— Panel agree to much sex on television. (too)

— Mr. and Mrs. Garth Robinson request the honor of your presents at the marriage of their daughter Holly to Mr. James Stockman. (presence)

Приложение

"Модульный" способ обучения переводу

(по методике Международной организации труда (МОТ)) Этапы формирования программы

анализ профессиональной деятельности определение целей обучения составление учебной программы проведение обучения оценка обучения

(см. материалы Е. Шутовой, Институт иностранных языков (С.-Петербург))

Структура учебного модуля и учебного элемента

Учебный модуль

1. Тактическая цель

2. Содержание обучения (комплект учебных элементов)

3. Практический тест

Учебный элемент

1. Оперативная цель

2. Содержание обучения (текст)

3. Оценка результатов (тест проверки достижения целей)

Когнитивные умения

Стратегические умения

Механические умения

Проблемы

Решения

1. Протокол

2. Типы переводческих ситуаций и дискурсов

3. Переводческая нотация

4. Профессиональная этика

5. Методы подготовки к переводу