Article Review: Indexing and translating- two interrelated concepts?

 

Article Review

Article Details

Booth, Pat. F (2006). Translating and indexing: some thoughts on their relationship. The Indexer, 25(2), 89-92.

Introduction

The language-focused activities in publishing- indexing and translating are compared in the article title ‘Translating and indexing: some thoughts on their relationship written by Booth (2006). The difference between these two forms of creative writing, which use language as a major tool was explained with adequate examples. The context-based issues which can arise in indexing due to translation, the challenges in indexing due to the process of translation and the language issues in indexing due to translation are narrated well in this article. The importance of language, culture and subject area in indexing is well established through this article.

Summary of the article

The concepts of translation and Indexing

The article starts with mentioning the importance of language in the processes of Translation and indexing. Language is explained as a major tool in these creative processes and both require the choice of right words which preserves and safeguard the correct meaning and message of the original text. For this, the translators and indexers need to make an in-depth analysis of the text and capture the apt terms which the author used to explain concepts in the original text.

Later the author proceeds to differentiate between the goal of two processes. It was explained that the translation attempt to convey textual and intellectual content of the original work, in the same order and with the same structure and meaning in a different text. Whereas Indexing attempt to analyse the themes and present them in a condensed form in the same language as that of the text, usually in an alphabetic order, as a list of headings and cross-references. This helps the reader to locate the scattered passages.

Author at a later point in the article clearly demarcates between index and the content. The content list presents the overall coverage and structure representing major division like chapters in the order in which they appear.

 

The issues in indexing in the context of translation

The author identified some challenges in indexing in the following contexts-

·       An index for a translated edition (original work may or may not have an index) which was done by a person who may or may not sufficiently qualified or experienced

·       An index for translated edition. For the original version, the current indexer may or may not have created the index.

·       Indexes to the work simultaneously published in two or more languages

·       Index in more than one language to a continuing work, such as periodical that use standard indexing vocabulary.

 

Challenges in indexing and translating based on choices

Indexing as an intellectual process requires many judgements and decisions to be made about the topics to be included, word order headings, propositions and conjunctions in the headings, insertion of cross references, etc. Hence two indexers can produce two indexes based on the choices make, but both may be equally good.

Similarly in translation, it can be wither translation of literal text, as close as possible to the original, or the one more expressive and closer to the original concept, but the words and phrases more closer to the target language. This judgement and decision can result in two translations of the same text, but both may be of equal merit.

 

     The Translation and Index

            The type and quality of translation affect the indexing. Author explains the advantages of translator and indexer being one person. When both indexer and translator are same, the intellectual resources and the mental networks are the same, the content, vocabulary and structure are known before indexing. The requirements of both are same and the process becomes easy.

            An indexer in dual role can decide whether to treat the two editions as separate text, index each independently, or to make index to one and then to work through it from the beginning, translating it to the other language.

            A major concern in the field of indexing “Should one translate the index…. Or index translations” is been answered by the author substantiating with the opinions of experts in the field. It was reported that several experts believed translations to be indexed is better than translating the index except for cases of legal, scientific, and technical document.

            In the translations depending on the languages, as some languages take more space than others in conveying the information, the textual arrangements and position of indexes may differ.

 

Language issues in indexing

Some intricacies in language affect indexing. Differences in language and culture can cause mistakes in indexing. Simple name index cannot always be directly converted into other language. Indexer can add cross-references to the names that reader might look for. Proper nouns in some languages which use different endings for words, according to their grammatical functions may need amendment. Acronyms of companies or institutions can change according to translations. There are variations in the use of upper- and lower-case initial letters in different languages. The time difference between original text and the translation might set a challenge for both translator and the indexer.

 

Critique

The article explained well the concept of indexing, the challenges in relation to the choice, language and in the context of translation. The chief focus of the article ‘Indexing’, the pitfalls which can occur while doing it were clearly established. Though the title of the article says the interrelation between translation and indexing, as the author is a person from the field of indexing, the central focus was on indexing itself. The author has done justice in explaining it well. This article would benefit for all those who want to know the practical difficulties which can occur while indexing and it throws some light on how to tackle some of the challenges which occur while indexing.

Conclusion

Indexers and translators should focus on the language, culture, and expertise in the subject area. Without considering these essential factors, serious mistakes can happen. Needs of the users and the context should be the major focus while indexing. There should be periodic contact and exchange of information regarding the tasks of translation and indexing to ensure smooth working of these two areas.