Translating Oral Narratives from Mixe to Spanish for Linguistic Purposes Carmen Jany California...
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![Page 1: Translating Oral Narratives from Mixe to Spanish for Linguistic Purposes Carmen Jany California State University, San Bernardino cjany@csusb.edu.](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022062409/56649d785503460f94a5b5b3/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
Translating Oral Narratives from Mixe
to Spanish for Linguistic Purposes
Carmen JanyCalifornia State University, San
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Introduction
This talk Mixe Language Fieldwork and Speakers Linguistic Fieldwork Transcription and Translation
Data and Process Challenges and Solutions
Conclusions
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Mixe Language
Mixe Language Mixe-Zoque Language Family Spoken in Oaxaca & Veracruz, Mexico Limited documentation => unclear
how many languages, dialects, varieties (each village with different variety)
Ethnologue: 10 languages Chuxnabán Mixe: 900 speakers
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Language Family Trees - Mixe-Zoque, Mixe Mixe (10)
Eastern Mixe (6) Mixe, Coatlán [mco] (Mexico) Mixe, Isthmus [mir] (Mexico) Mixe, Juquila [mxq] (Mexico) Mixe, Mazatlán [mzl] (Mexico) Mixe, North Central [neq] (Mexico) Mixe, Quetzaltepec [pxm] (Mexico)
Veracruz Mixe (2) Popoluca, Oluta [plo] (Mexico) Popoluca, Sayula [pos] (Mexico)
Western Mixe (2) Mixe, Totontepec [mto] (Mexico) Mixe, Tlahuitoltepec [mxp] (Mexico)
Mixe Language
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Mixe Language
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Fieldwork and Speakers
Preparation Readings on other languages Recording equipment Plan for data collection
In the village Ask for permission Identify speakers/consultants Find interpreters for monolinguals
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San Juan Bosco Chuxnabán, 2008
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San Juan Bosco Chuxnabán, 2008
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Familia Canseco, 2008
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My room, 2008
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At work, 2008
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Purpose of linguistic fieldwork Document the structure (=grammar) and
lexicon of the language Archive original data for future reference Examine and organize the data
Grammar Dictionary Scholarly articles (shape linguistic theory) Educational materials for language preservation
and/or revitalization
Conflicting interests Community and Academia
Linguistic Fieldwork
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Data collection and Process Collect and record oral narratives Transcribe oral narratives (= write down
each word) Need for a transcription assistant
Translation Two types = two lines
Word by word Meaning of entire sentence (free translation)
Transcription and Translation
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Transcription/Translation Example
Transcription and Translation
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Challenges and Solutions False Starts Repetitions & Discourse Markers Vocabulary
Cultural/regional lexicon Same word-different meaning/translation Verbs with no Spanish equivalents Taboo words Placenames
Transcription and Translation
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False Starts Could be linguistically significant
(so, they have to be noted) Consultant will notice error Example: Cuento del sol y la luna
Solution: Note as False Start; Edit out for community archive
Transcription and Translation
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Repetitions and Discourse Markers Represent oral style/spoken language
Solution: Write narratives as heard; Do not alter/leave out words or repetitions (but may leave out words in free translation)
Transcription and Translation
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Discourse Markers (pues, entonces, así) Do not contribute to the meaning of the
story, but may be relevant linguistically (nëntu’un = así; evidentials: ntiijmëch = así dicen)
Solution: Write discourse markers
Transcription and Translation
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Vocabulary: Cultural/regional lexicon Spanish Dialects: Which one do you choose? Explanation of cultural/regional lexicon Examples
topil = policía del pueblo tlacuache = zarigüeya tenate = canasta guajolote = pavo
Solution: Write translation as noted by consultant
Transcription and Translation
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Vocabulary: Same word-different translations ko = como, cuando jä’ä = el, ellos, estoy, era jamp = en, allí, a jap = en, allí
Solution: Need linguistic analysis to determine function/meaning; note translation provided by consultant
Transcription and Translation
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Vocabulary: Verbs with no Spanish equivalent Mixe is a polysynthetic language (=a lot of
information encoded in verbs) Mixe has a rich system of compounding
(=combining words to form new ones)
Solution: Describe/summarize meaning
Transcription and Translation
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Vocabulary: Verbs with no Spanish equivalent Different concepts found in Mixe verbs and
expressions encontrar la muerte = morirse encontrar el sueño = dormirse cansarse de la mano = cansarse de aguantar
Solution: Use literal translation
Transcription and Translation
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Vocabulary: Taboo words Words that consultant does not feel
comfortable translating ixchaa = nalgas (donde se sentó) yaatë’ëny = cagar (desechar)
Solution: Be insistent/ask for explanation
Transcription and Translation
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Vocabulary: Placenames Placenames with and without
Spanish equivalent Placename with special meaning
Solution: Note all information Example: Narrative (handout)
Transcription and Translation
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Conclusions
Ongoing process Revisions and refinements
Two types of translations For the linguist For the community Third type? => Readers who are not linguists nor
community members General solution to translation challenges
Note everything consultant indicates Don’t leave anything untranslated Review & take note of inconsistencies Maintain oral narrative style and do not alter main
version to be archived
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Dios kujuuyëp!
¡Gracias!