Session 5:

CONTEXTUAL AND LEXICAL TRANSLATIONS COMPARISION

The main difference between contextual and lexical translations lies in how much they consider the surrounding context when choosing the best translation. Here’s a breakdown:

Lexical Translation:

• Focuses on the dictionary meaning of individual words or phrases.
• Ignores the surrounding context and cultural nuances.
• Can be accurate for single words but often misinterprets the overall meaning in sentences or paragraphs.
• Useful for basic understanding of vocabulary but not recommended for accurate communication.

Contextual Translation:

• Takes into account the surrounding context (sentences, paragraphs, even the overall text) to understand the intended meaning.
• Considers the cultural background and pragmatic implications of the words.
• May choose different words or phrases than a literal translation to convey the intended meaning accurately.
• Aims to reproduce the meaning and impact of the original text in the target language.

Contextual and lexical comparison refers to examining how words and phrases function and interact within their surrounding context, as well as how their meanings compare across different contexts.

Lexical analysis focuses on the meaning of individual words, while contextual analysis considers how surrounding words and overall meaning influence that meaning.

Text (Lexical) and Context (Contextual)

Lexical Comparison:

Definition: Lexical comparison involves analyzing the meaning of individual words and how they relate to each other. This can include examining synonyms, antonyms, and other semantic relationships.

Focus: It emphasizes the inherent meaning of words, as defined in dictionaries and lexical databases.

Examples: Comparing the meanings of the words “happy” and “joyful” (synonyms).Comparing the meanings of the words “hot” and “cold” (antonyms). Analyzing how different words are used to describe similar concepts (e.g., different verbs for “to move”).

Contextual Comparison:

Definition: Contextual comparison considers how the meaning of words changes based on their surrounding text and overall situation.

Focus: It emphasizes the influence of context on word meanings, recognizing that a single word can have multiple meanings depending on the context.

Examples: Analyzing how the word “home” has different connotations depending on the context (e.g., “a place where one lives” vs. “a feeling of belonging”).Understanding how idioms and figurative language rely on context for their meaning (“I’m between a rock and a hard place”).

Key Differences:

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Relationship: Contextual analysis builds upon lexical analysis. While lexical analysis provides a foundation for understanding individual words, contextual analysis is crucial for interpreting how those words function within the larger language system.

Thus, context is the information or understanding that is not written/spoken/seen but is necessary to fully understand that which is written/spoken/seen.

In summary, lexical comparison deals with the inherent meanings of words, while contextual comparison explores how those meanings are shaped and modified by their surrounding environment. Both are essential for a comprehensive understanding of language.

Assignment: Read John 11:11-16. Interpret the section using a contexual analysis. Why does Thomas say what he says in verse 16? Hint: read chapter 10 for context.