Abstract:
Translation is the comprehension of the meaning of the text and the subsequent
production on an equivalent text that communicates the same message in another
language. In this translation process translators definitely face many problems.
This study is on the problems of translation in both Sinhalese and English
languages. The originals and translations of "Village in the Jungle", "Madol
Doova" and An Historical Relation of Ceylon" have been used as primary
resources. Problems in translation were classified as lexical, structural, ethical,
and cultural and ambiguity problems. Also there are some solutions that can
overcome these problems. Lexical problems appear in words, idioms, phrases,
collocations. Translating grammar particles such as tenses, active and passive
voice, articles and language structure include in structural problems. Culture is
the most important and complicated problem that a translator should concentrate
on as he has to make the readership understand the culture in the source text.
Some cultural words may be deeply rooted in that given culture. Translators'
ethical attitudes, personal values and beliefs should not cause any effect in the
translation. If it happens the content of the source text will be distorted. When a
translator is comprehensive about the language of the source text, ambiguity is
not an issue. However the original ideas, attitudes of the author of the source text
should be included in the translation. Accordingly translation is a difficult task,
but it is not impossible if the translator has a better comprehension in source
language, source culture, target language and target culture.
