Is it Possible to Maintain Information Flow in Japanese into Thai Translation? A Study of Connecting Clauses

Authors

• Somkiat Chawengkijwanich

Publication Date

2022

Abstract

This paper investigates the ordering of connecting subordinate and coordinate clauses in Japanese-Thai translation to examine whether it is possible to maintain information flow from the source text. Japanese preposed clauses were translated using both preposed and postposed clauses in the Thai translated text. Preposed clauses were used widely when they provided: 1) listed information; 2) grounded information for comprehending main clauses; 3) the framework within which main clauses are held; 4) temporal sequences; and 5) information linking prior context to a new discourse topic. Postposed clauses were used mainly to modify main clauses. In cases where clauses provided the information needed to comprehend subsequent clauses, professional translators attempted to place the clause sentence initially, despite a preference for sentence-final occurrence arising from Thai syntactic constraints. This demonstrated norms in Japanese-Thai translation in terms of awareness among professional translators of the significance of information flow in the source text.

DOI

10.1163/26659077-25010011

First Page

1

Last Page

22

Recommended Citation

Chawengkijwanich, Somkiat (2022) "Is it Possible to Maintain Information Flow in Japanese into Thai Translation? A Study of Connecting Clauses," Manusya, Journal of Humanities: Vol. 25: No. 1, Article 13.
DOI: 10.1163/26659077-25010011
Available at: https://digital.car.chula.ac.th/manusya/vol25/iss1/13