Terminological Equivalence and Appropriateness in Technical Translation: A Study of Selected Texts from Plan National De Développement (PND) 2018-2022, Togo

Abstract

Translators should be able to deliver the intended meaning of message conveyed in the source language to the target language without changing the purpose of the source text at all. This study aimed at exploring issues of equivalence and appropriateness in the translation of texts. The source text, Plan National De Développement (PND), 2018-2022, Togo or National Development Plan (2018-2022) of the Republic of Togo, was used as the primary source material in this study. The study adopted mainly an analytical and contrastive methodology. Translation theories and strategies provided a framework not just to clarify but also to overcome the translation challenges that were encountered, particularly as the text is replete with technical terms culled from the field of economics. The study concluded that Translation Unit, Formal Equivalence and Dynamic Equivalence are useful strategies in rendering meaning in the target language by overcoming issues of equivalence and appropriateness. A good cultural knowledge was also found to be crucial in surmounting the issue of equivalence and appropriateness, especially in the translation of acronyms and abbreviations.