More on Implicit and Explicit Information in Translation

Abstract

Besides situations where the grammar of a language makes it necessary to make implicit information explicit in translation, there are also other situations where a translator needs to be aware of implicit information. Examples are places where it is necessary to make implicit actions or characters explicit and places where a language requires that social levels be recognized or where special honor or respect must be shown. Translators must also be aware of cultural differences between the source and receptor languages, since it is sometimes necessary to make this kind of information explicit. One important case is when certain actions have a symbolic meaning in a culture. The article concludes with a discussion of circumstances when implicit information should not be made explicit.