Abstract:
This comparative analysis of Mae-Wan’s and V.Vinicchayakul’s respective versions
of the Thai translations of the novel, Vendetta!, analyzes, in particular, the translators’ techniques,
the transference of meaning, and the language styles they use. In doing so, it identifies several
salient features.
It was found that besides making use of interpretation or Thai idioms of equal
meaning to translate English idioms, Mae-Wan utilized transliteration as a technique to substitute
some words and even those which could have been directly translated into Thai.
V.Vinicchayakul, on the other hand, mostly translated idioms literally and only transliterated
words for specific terms which did not exist in Thai. Sentence level translations varied in that
both translators, depending on their individual preference, sometimes kept the word order of the
original sentences, changed the word order, or even reformed sentence structures from passive to
active. With regard to paragraphing, although both translators frequently split long paragraphs, it
was only Mae-Wan who tended to join a series of short paragraphs into one. As for verse
translations, both translators were generally able to effectively transfer the meanings of original
verses, yet still adhere to traditional Thai poetic patterns.
The transference of meaning and the language style used by both translators were
different. Mae-Wan applied four methods i.e., addition, alternation, summarization, and omission,
thus making the translated content differ from the original. In contrast, V.Vinicchayakul tried to
retain the entire meaning of the original manuscript. Finally, Mae-Wan favored a classical and
complicated literary language style, whereas V.Vinicchayakul, for the most part, used a more
contemporary and simple language.