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Implicit and Explicit Information

TextDiscourse

In every language, part of the discourse, message, is mentioned in the form or

text explicitly and part of the discourse is left implicitly, that is, not expressed

directly in the form. This tendency, the pattern of explicitness and implicitness, is

different from language to another.

The translator must be aware of the implicit and explicit informationwhich is

being communicated. When people speak or write, the amount of information

included in the text will depend on the amount of shared information that already

exists between the speaker or writer and addressee. When we talk about

something, we leave out some of the information because the addressee already

knows these facts and might even be insulted if they were included. So in every

communication, some information which is being communicated is left implicit in

conversation or written text.

For example, news broadcasters in the United States will make statements like

this, The Reagan tax bill passed in the Senate today.

The tax bill proposed by the President of the United States, Ronald Reagan, was

passed in the Senate of the United States today.

All communication is based on shared information. It may include shared

languages structures, culture, previous conversations, having read the same

material, a common experience, etc. in every text that one may want to translate,

there will be information which is implicit; that is, it is not stated in an explicitform in the text itself. Some information, or meaning, is left implicit 1)because of

the structure of the source language;2) some because it has already been

included elsewhere in the text, 3)and some because of shared information in the

communication situation. However, the implicit information is part of the

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meaning which is to be communicated by the translation, because it is part of the

meaning intended to be understood by the original writer.

Types of Implicit Information

According to Beekman and Callow There are two types of implicit information:

1. Implicit information found within the document,

a. in the same paragraph or an adjacent one, (the immediate context)

b. elsewhere in the same document, (the remote context)

2. implicit information found outside the document, (the cultural context)

Most of the implicit information of the original is drawn from the immediate

context.

Explicit Explicit

information is the information which is overtly stated by lexical items and

grammatical forms. It is a part of the surface structure form.

When may implicit information become explicit?

In principle, implicit information may be expressed if the target language

necessitates it. It is made explicit because the grammar, or the meaning, or the

stylistic and textual structures of the target language require it in order that the

information conveyed will be the same as that conveyed to the SL readers.The culture of a language community provides a context for the writer and his

readers to share knowledge. This shared knowledge allows the writer to leave

part of the information implicit. This type of implicit information, if not

shared by the TL readers, should also be made explicit.

Examples

The flowering shrubs and the neatly-disposed plants were basking in the

abundant light and warmth.

.

Jack gave a smile and a little nod.

...

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A second young lady presently came out of the, across the piazza, descended into

the garden.

.

Wet paint

After counting the books, Peter said There are 57

Books is left implicit in the quotation. After counting the books, Peter said,

There are 57 books.

When I wake and all I see, is a world full of people in need!Tell me why?

Does it have to be like this?

Tell me why?

When somebody needs somebody, we don`t give a helping hand!

Every day I ask myself what I have to do to be a man!

Do I have to stand and fight to prove to everybody who I am?Is that what my life is for? To waste in a world full of war?

Why do we never learn?

If we`re all the same, why do we pass the blame?

Why does it never end?

Can someone tell us why we cannot just be friends?

WHY?? WHY???

Faryabi