Poetry Translating as Expert Action Processes, priorities and networks

Chapter 5. Five translators translate 

Micro-sequences were tagged according to ‘focus’: the type of textual problem

tackled or operation undertaken (cf. Liao’s “problem items”, 2002; Dancette and

Menard’s “niveaux d’analyse”, 1996). Tags were generated inductively from the Krik

and Toen wij data, following the ‘open coding’ principle of capturing the most

relevant “substance and flavour” (Gibson 2003: 133), whilst keeping the number of

tags to the minimum. Figure 27 lists all focus tags.

Strategic micro-sequences are numbered by count per focus tag per Draft:

thus Lexis Dr1/#6 (Figure 25) is the sixth Lexis micro-sequence in Draft 1. Non-

strategic micro-sequences carry focus tags only (e.g. Scan).

Micro-sequences are not always neatly separated. One micro-sequence may

be broken off by another. Alternatively, two or more micro-sequences may be in-

terwoven, as one problem-solving sequence sparks off another. Thus, in Lexis

Strategic foci

Non-strategic foci

Feel/Flow

Grammar/Discourse

Image Working with poetic image or underlying meaning rather than

surface lexis or grammar.

Intertextuality Making comparisons with other poets or texts.

Lexis Working on lexical meaning or equivalence

(including xed expressions and idioms).

Parallelism Identifying, (re)creating or avoiding parallels between dierent

elements in the poem.

Rhyme Working on rhyme.

Rhythm Working on rhythm (including syllable-count and line-length).

Sound (misc.)

Evaluation

Text-helper

Spontaneous change

Scan

Unidentied/Procedural

Working on other sound features.

Assessing the translation task, target-text choices, and/or one’s

own performance or self-image outside a specic strategic

micro-sequence.

Requesting or using another person’s help.

Automatized translation or revision.

Read-through or repetition of text outside a specic strategic

micro-sequence.

Purpose unclear/Involving think-aloud procedures or

translation administration.

Working on grammar or discourse.

Using non-specic considerations, e.g. style, line-structure or

general ‘feel’, to assess or change more than one lexeme

(word or xed expression).

Figure 27. Micro-sequence foci