1. UNIVERSITY OF QUINTANA ROO
DIVISION OF POLITICAL SCIENCIES AND HUMANITIES
DEPARTMENT OF LANGUAGE AND EDUCATION
RESEARCH PROPOSAL
Translation
ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROGRAMME
Researcher’s name: Jairo Christian Espinoza Sanchez
Student’s registration number: 08-09483
Working Title: A translation of the chapter: what is conservation biology?
General Line of Research: Applied linguistics
Nature of Research: Documentary research
Date: November 9th, 2012

2. Abstract
This monograph deals with the translation of a brief chapter of a third edition book
called “Principles of Conservation Biology,” written by Martha J. Groom, Gary K.
Meffe, and C. Ronald Carroll. This chapter provides brief information of what
Conservation Biology is and what it involves. The main aims of this translation work
is to provide accurate and brief information that could serve as a reference material for
the ones who are really interested in what conservation biology is, and also to make
this topic understandable and available to every Spanish reader. One as a translator has
to follow a certain procedure in order to get a really faithful translation: the recognition
of the type of text, the identification of the register, a general reading of the text, the
identification of difficult words to be translated, the consultancy of a specialist in the
topic, get the first draft done, polish it up and get the final version. Finally, the analysis
of the techniques used in it.

3. Introduction
1.1 Background
As we all know, our planet is facing many problems due to many human activities, which have caused severe
damages, some of which are irreversible. In the words of Soulé, 1985, “Conservation Biology, a new stage in the
application of science to conservation problems, addresses the biology of species, communities, and ecosystems that
are perturbed, either directly or indirectly, by human activities or other agents. Its goal is to provide principles and
tools for preserving biological diversity.”
1.2 Rationale
The natural environment has been mistreated and also neglected due to the lack of interest in it and as a result of this,
many species have been led to the risk of extinction and also many natural cycles have been perturbed. The
environment plays a really important role in every living being´s life on the face of the Earth; so, we, as human
beings, have the responsibility of taking care of it and also of preserving the other living beings’ lives such as animals
and plants taking into consideration that we are the ones who have affected them directly and even indirectly. What I
have mentioned above are some logical reasons why I have decided to translate this text.

4. 1.3 Objectives
to provide accurate and brief information that could serve as a reference material for the ones who are really
interested in what conservation biology is.
to make the information understandable to every Spanish reader who wants briefly to know about what conservation
biology is.
to complete the translation of the best possible quality with the aid of the most suitable translation techniques by
doing a meticulous analysis of the text and the techniques involved in it.
to improve my translation skills so that when finishing this major I will not have many difficulties at doing a
translation.
to conclude with a certain point of my life, that is, to look at myself finishing this major and also to feel good about
it.
1.4 Significance of the research topic
The need for translating this interesting chapter is because it will be helpful for teachers or students of biology, who
are not competent enough to understand this chapter in English, because they will use this information and knowledge
for being more competitive in their subject. Furthermore, this information will give the layman an insight and a better
understanding of what is happening with our planet and its natural environment in order to be more attentive to the
warning signs we are receiving.

5. Literature Review
How can we transmit something to someone who does not understand our language? Translation emerged as the reply
to this question. Orellana (1997) defines translation “as the faithful transfer of the ideas from a source language to a
target language in a correct, precise and appropriate style.”
“La traducción ha sido desde hace milenios uno de los procedimientos más importantes, acaso el más importante, para
la propagación de la cultura, para la creación y el desarrollo de nuevas literaturas y para el enriquecimiento de las
lenguas utilizadas para traducir.” (Garcia, 1994, p.11)
The translation of any text is an activity that demands a big effort. As Sauri (2008) states in her monograph:
In order to make a good translation it is necessary to take into consideration: the type of text (if it is
technical, literary, scientific, etc.), the kind of reader it is directed to (familiar with the topic or not; linguistically
conscious or not or the reader’s culture and nationality), the purpose of the text (for information, for recreation,
etc.) (pg.10).
It is important to mention that translation techniques are really helpful because thanks to them a translator can carry out
a good translation work, and also they help the translator in the revision of it. Garcia (1989) states that “las técnicas de
traducción son herramientas de las cuales se vale el traductor para lograr su trabajo.”
This translation work will be based on the Vinay and Darbelnet methodology. In the following lines, there is a list with
a brief description of every technique in the Vinay and Darbelnet’s methodology.

6. The Direct translation group:
Borrowing
e.g.: “Tequila”, “bullying” (a recent word), and “garage”
Calque
e.g.: Weekend-------------fin de semana
Literal translation
e.g.: The house is red----la casa es roja
The Oblique translation group:
Transposition
e.g.: they faced the situation bravely-----enfrentaron la situación con valentía.
Modulation
e.g.: it is not easy to translate-------es difícil de traducir
Equivalence
e.g.: it costed me an arm and a leg--------me costó un ojo de la cara
Adaptation
e.g.: 50 first dates------como si fuera la primera vez

7. Method
“Translators must have a wide arrange of reference sources that they have acquired through their research skills;
without that even the best of the translators wouldn´t be able to achieve a faithful translation of the text.” (Sofer, 2009
p.33)
The use of dictionaries is really necessary and important in doing a translation. Moreover, the translator has to keep in
mind that there are many aspects that are implied in the process of a translation. There are some stages that need to be
taken into account in carrying out the translation:
Stage 1 (before the translation)
The recognition of the type of text, that is, if it is informative, persuasive, literary, technical, etc. then the translator
needs to identify the register in order to shape the translation in a proper way so readers will be able to understand it
all.
Stage 2 (during the translation)
A general reading is also necessary so translator can get a general idea of what the source text is about. After that, the
translator has to find those words, phrases or certain parts that will cause some problems to be translated by reading
the text in a detail way. If one as a translator has doubt about some specific words or phrases of the target text, he/she
shall consult a specialist of the topic so the translator can get an accurate translation. It is also essential that the
translator read more about the topic of the text to be translated so he/she can be familiar with it. After the second
detailed reading of the source text, the translator is allowed to write his/her first draft. Finally, once the first draft had
been done, the translator will check it, modify it, and polish up into the final version.
Stage 3 (after the translation)
Once the final translation had been got, the translator will proceed to analyze it in order to find out which techniques
he used in it.

8. References
Baker, M. (2001) Routledge Encyclopedia of Translation
Studies. London and New York: Routledge.
Garcia Yebra, V. (1994) Traducción: Historia y teoría.
Madrid, España: Gredos.
Orellana, M. (1997) La traducción del ingles al castellano.
Guía para el Traductor. Santiago, Chile: Editorial
Universitaria.
Sauri, M. (2008). The Use of Translation Techniques in a
Didactic Text. (Unpublished monograph). UQROO, Chetumal.
Sofer M. (2002). The Translator’s Handbook. Rocville,
Maryland: Schreiber Publishing.
Vinay, J. P. & Darbelnet, J. (1958) “A Methodology for
Translation”, in The Translation Studies Reader. (2000)
Venuti, Lawrence, ed. London: Routledge.