In English to Tamil translation, grammar conversion techniques are crucial due to the significant differences in grammatical structures between the two languages. Here are some key grammar conversion techniques:
I. Adjustment of Sentence Structure
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Subject-Verb-Object Order: English sentences typically follow the “subject-verb-object” order, while Tamil may adopt different sentence structures. For instance, the basic sentence structure in Tamil might be subject-object-verb. Therefore, during translation, sentence structures need to be adjusted according to Tamil grammatical rules.
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Tenses and Voices: English and Tamil also differ greatly in the expression of tenses and voices. English indicates tenses and voices through verb form changes, while Tamil may use different auxiliary verbs or suffixes. When translating, it is necessary to accurately identify the tense and voice of the English sentence and find the corresponding expression in Tamil.
II. Conversion of Word Classes
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Conversion between Nouns and Verbs: In some cases, nouns in English may need to be converted into verbs in Tamil, and vice versa. This depends on the context of the sentence and Tamil expression habits.
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Conversion between Adjectives and Adverbs: Adjectives and adverbs in English may have different expressions in Tamil. Sometimes, adjectives need to be converted into adverbs to modify verbs, or adverbs need to be converted into adjectives to modify nouns.
III. Adjustment of Word Order and Modifiers
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Position of Attributives and Adverbials: In English, attributives usually come before nouns, while adverbials come after verbs. The positions of attributives and adverbials in Tamil may be different, and adjustments need to be made according to Tamil grammatical rules.
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Order of Modifiers: In English, when multiple modifiers modify the same noun, they usually follow a certain order (such as determiners, adjectives, participles, etc.). The order of modifiers in Tamil may be different, and attention should be paid to this during translation.
IV. Changes in Verb Forms
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Tense Changes: The tense changes of Tamil verbs may be more complex than those of English. During translation, it is necessary to select the appropriate verb form based on the context of the sentence and Tamil tense rules.
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Voice Changes: The voice changes in Tamil may also differ from those in English. For example, the passive voice in Tamil may have a specific expression, which requires proficiency from the translator.
V. Other Considerations
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Omission of Articles and Quantifiers: Tamil may not use articles or quantifiers, or their usage may be different from English. During translation, adjustments or omissions of articles and quantifiers need to be made according to Tamil expression habits.
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Translation of Idioms and Slang: Some idioms and slang in English may not have direct corresponding expressions in Tamil. In such cases, free translation or explanatory translation methods can be used to handle these expressions.
Grammar conversion techniques in English to Tamil translation involve the adjustment of sentence structure, conversion of word classes, adjustment of word order and modifiers, changes in verb forms, and other considerations. Mastering these techniques is crucial for improving translation quality and accuracy.