Parallel texts to translate cultural references in last wills and testaments (EN-GAL): A didactic case study

Abstract

Careful consideration of cultural elements is required in the transfer of legal texts within the field of specialized translation, according to Borja (2000, p. 163). The translator faces a set of difficulties not only when finding the suitable equivalences between legal systems, but also when mediating between cultures. Last wills constitute a type of legal text that is subjected to a fixed macrostructure (Alcaraz et al., 2006, p. 371) frequently bestrewed with cultural elements. This paper presents a practical perspective on translating five culturally-bound elements in a last will and testament originally drafted in English and translated into Galician by 36 final-year translation students. Furthermore, the proper use of parallel texts will also be dealt with, considering that these ‘authentic texts’ (Nord, 2010, p. 13) provide essential linguistic and cultural information during the translation process. Non-professional translators, undergraduates, in this case, search for and use the parallel texts they need to carry out an in-depth analysis to extract those sections that guide their work (Roiss, 2009, p. 134). Parallel texts were attached to their assignment and later examined to reinforce student’s learning process of legal translation module. The analysis has shown that most students could identify a set of parallel texts, suitable for the transfer of the five cultural items discussed here. By carrying out this practice, students have learnt not only where to find these texts while taking this module but also how to use them as a useful translation tool.