A Less than Lay-Friendly Translation: A Textual Analysis of Information Leaflets and Labels for Drug and Cosmeceuticals in Thailand
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: Information on drug use should be easily comprehensible and provide clear instructions without relying on expert advice. Drawing upon the concept of lay-friendly translation (Askehave and Zethsen 2002, 2014; Jensen 2013), this study examines the translated information leaflets and labels of drug-related and cosmeceutical products in Thailand to understand characteristics of supposedly reachable language use. The findings reveal both lay-friendly and non-lay-friendly features in the English-to-Thai translations. Indicative of the former is the use of general terms, explanation, glossing, rewriting/summarising, syntactical shift, and stylistic shift. Instances of the latter include the direct transfer of field-specific terms and the use of Thai medical vocabulary. The Thai-to-English translation tends to adhere to the original version, including textual organisation and compliance with Thai legislation, yet the cultural-specific items are omitted. The presence of both lay-friendly and non-lay-friendly elements in a single translation contributes to a ‘less than lay-friendly’ translation.
Source: Manusya Journal of Humanities
Institution: Mahidol University
Language: English
Subfield: Language and Linguistics
Field: Arts and Humanities
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4403789527