The Linguist

@CIOL_Linguists AUTUMN 2023 The Linguist 25 FEATURES estrenar (to use or wear something for the first time), empalagar (to be so sweet or rich that it is unpleasant or cloying) and tocayo/a (a person who shares the same first name as you). These words offer a glimpse into hispanic cultures and help us to appreciate the diversity of the world around us. Recent research has explored the ways in which lexical voids can be used as a tool for intercultural communication. Scholars have suggested that identifying and exploring such voids can help people to recognise and appreciate the cultural diversity of others, and to better understand the nuances and complexities of different cultures. 2 Such gaps can also have significant cultural and social implications. For instance, the absence of words to describe certain mental health conditions or experiences can make it more difficult for individuals to seek help or feel understood. Similarly, the lack of vocabulary relating to a particular culture or ethnic group can contribute to feelings of marginalisation or erasure. As such, efforts to recognise and address lexical voids can be an important aspect of promoting diversity, inclusivity and understanding in society. To understand the nuances that a word may contain we can look to related words and synonyms within the same language. For example, though they all relate to combustion and fire, the verbs 'scorch', 'singe', 'cremate', 'incinerate', 'combust' and 'scald' could not be used interchangeably by a translator. In translating lexical voids, we are left with solutions such as using a hypernym or superordinate term, which usually encompasses more general semantic properties. One illustrative example is using 'burn' as a superordinate term, instead of using any of the more nuanced verbs listed above. The translator may then add words to pinpoint the meaning more accurately. Syntactic voids Syntactic voids arise when the target language has a suitable equivalent but it can only be used following a syntactical rearrangement or change in word order. In this scenario, a particular syntactic structure or pattern does not have a direct equivalent in the target language. Translating podruga (подруга; Russian) as 'girlfriend', for instance, involves adding a separate gender marker. The gerund and many phrasal verbs in English have no direct equivalent in Arabic. Arabic does not use operators, which are auxiliaries that negate finite clauses and form interrogative clauses (among other things) in English. Syntactic voids pose challenges for translators and language learners, requiring a deeper understanding of the underlying structure and meaning of the language. Bridging the void Semantic voids reflect the complex and intertwined relationship between language and culture, and can provide insights into the unique ways in which different cultures understand and interpret the world. While they present challenges for communication and translation, they also serve as a tool for intercultural understanding and appreciation. Strategies for translating semantic voids include borrowing words from the source language, creating new words in the target language, using loanwords and explaining the meaning through a footnote or gloss. The choice of strategy will depend on factors such as the target audience's level of familiarity with the source language, the purpose of the translation, and the cultural and linguistic context of both languages. Translators need to consider the implications of their choices carefully and strive to maintain the intended meaning and cultural nuances of the source. Some challenges for dealing with semantic voids in translation include understanding the cultural and linguistic context of the source and target languages, identifying the intended meaning and cultural nuances of the source text, and determining the most appropriate translation strategy to use. Additionally, translators need to be mindful of the potential for mistranslation or misinterpretation, and for unintended cultural or political implications. They must consider whether the target audience is sufficiently familiar with the source language and culture, and ensure that the translated text is clear, accurate and culturally appropriate. Notes 1 Dagut, M (1978) Hebrew-English Translation: A linguistic analysis of some semantic problems, Haifa: University of Haifa, 45 2 Piller, I (2011) Intercultural Communication: A critical introduction, Edinburgh University Press NO DIRECT EQUIVALENCE (Clockwise from top left) tundra, Eid, sobremesa, huppah and tsundoku © PEXELS © SHUTTERSTOCK IMAGES © UNSPLASH

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