Summary of "Тема и рема в переводе"

Summary of the Video “Тема и рема в переводе”

The video discusses the linguistic concepts of topic (тема) and rheme (рема), also known as actual division, and their crucial role in both written and oral translation, particularly between Russian and English. These concepts are fundamental in translation theory and communication, affecting how information is structured and understood.

Main Ideas and Concepts

Topic and Rheme Defined

Sentences can be divided into two parts:
- Topic (Old, Known Information): What is already known or assumed in the context.
- Rheme (New, Unknown Information): The new or focal information, often presented as a comment on the topic.
This division concerns the communicative role of sentence elements, not grammatical parts of speech.

Importance in Communication

The topic sets the background or logical framework.
The rheme carries the logical stress and is often the focus of the message.
Understanding this division helps clarify what question a sentence answers in communication.

Differences in Russian and English

In Russian, the rheme typically appears at the end of the sentence and receives the logical stress (intonation falls here).
In English, the rheme is not always at the end and may appear earlier in the sentence.
English often uses indefinite articles or auxiliary verbs to mark rheme, which are absent in Russian.

Examples and Application

Russian headline: “В Москве можно купить живого осьминога” (“In Moscow, you can buy a live octopus”).
- Topic: “In Moscow, you can buy…”
- Rheme: “a live octopus” (new, unexpected information).
- The sentence answers the question: “What can be done in Moscow?”
Changing word order alters the focus and the implied question.
English examples involving octopus sightings demonstrate different rheme placement and stress.
Common translation errors arise when translators ignore topic-rheme structure, especially when transferring syntax from English to Russian.

Translation Pitfalls

Headlines or phrases translated without regard to topic-rheme can sound unnatural or misleading.
Example: Russian sticker translations like “Ребенок в машине” (“Child in the car”) are incorrect because they merely state location instead of conveying a warning or request for caution, unlike the English “Baby on board.”
Another example: Headlines about banning phones in schools show how misplaced topics can confuse the message.

Practical Lesson

Translators must be aware of topic and rheme to maintain the communicative intent and natural flow in the target language.
Ignoring these can lead to awkward or incorrect translations.
Understanding which part of a sentence answers which question helps preserve meaning.

Methodology / Instructions for Translators

Identify Topic and Rheme in Source Text: Determine what information is known or assumed (topic) and identify the new or emphasized information (rheme).
Consider Language-Specific Syntax and Stress Patterns:
- In Russian, place rheme toward the sentence end with logical stress.
- In English, note that rheme placement can be more flexible.
Formulate Sentences According to the Target Language’s Communicative Norms: Adjust word order and sentence structure to reflect natural topic-rheme division. Avoid literal translations that ignore this division.
Ask the Implied Question for Each Sentence: What question does this sentence answer? Use this to guide sentence construction and emphasis.
Be Careful with Headlines and Short Phrases: Ensure that the topic and rheme are correctly balanced to convey the intended focus. Avoid direct translations that might mislead or confuse.

Speakers / Sources Featured

The video features a single narrator/lecturer, presumably a translation theory expert or linguist, who explains the concepts with examples from Russian and English.

Summary

The video emphasizes the importance of understanding and correctly applying the concepts of topic and rheme in translation. It highlights differences between Russian and English, illustrates common errors, and offers practical guidance for translators to improve accuracy and naturalness in their work.