文献阅读复习范围补充文档格式.docx

1、Translation is a rendering of ideas or concepts from one language into another, i.e., the faithful representation in the target language of what is written or said in the original language.As a means of communication, translation plays an important role in human civilization. In the West, literary t

2、ranslation can be traced back to 300 BC; while in China, recorded translation activities are even earlier, dating from Zhou Dynasty （1100 BC）. However, not until the recent centuries, especially by the end of the 19th century did systematic study of translation get under way. The recent decades have

3、 seen rapid development in translation theories and translation activities both at home and abroad.A modern society sees an extensive use of translation on various occasions. Proper and dexterous translation helps promote mutual understanding between peoples of different cultural and social backgrou

4、nds, whereas improper rendering of words or expressions leads to confusion. Take the ordinary word “menu” for example. Its original meaning is “a list of dishes in a meal or to be ordered as separated meals, esp. in a restaurant”, and the Chinese equivalent seems to be clear: 菜单. However, when it is

5、 used in computer science, its meaning shifts to “a list shown on the display of a computer from which a user can select the operation the computer is to perform.” Evidently the Chinese counterpart should be something like “选项、项目单” It is a pity that the initial translator neglected this definition,

6、and as a result, this very popular term of computer science fails to convey its true meaning in Chinese-the translated term”菜单” sounds incongruous with its actual content. So is the rendering of “Renaissance”-commonly known as “文艺复兴” in Chinese. Although we know today that the movement extended far

7、beyond the literature and art circle, and the connotation of “Renaissance” is much more profound than that of the Chinese term “文艺复兴”, yet it is generally accepted through common practice. Such improper rendering is not uncommon in Chines-English translation. A sweet and melodious trademark in Chine

8、se, by improper translation, may cause uneasiness or even create a loathsome image in the mind of people of different social and cultural backgrounds. For example, a popular Chinese lipstick with the trademark “芳芳”, when transliterated into English as “Fangfang”, assumes a hideous image-the English

9、word “fang” happens to have two disagreeable definitions: a, a long, sharp tooth of a dog; b. a snakes poisonous tooth. Consequently, this awkward transliteration has resulted in a complete failure in marketing. Similar translation blunders are not unusual in social or economic activities in our cou

10、ntry. To name a few, translating “五讲四美、三热爱” into “five stresses, four beauties and three loves”, “抓紧施肥” into “grasp manure”, “街道妇女” into “street women”, “白酒” into “white wine”, etc. Had the translators had sufficient translation knowledge, such blunders would have been avoided.1. Nature and Scope of

11、 TranslationWhat is translation? Some people believe it is a science, others take it as an art; and yet many consider it a craft, or rather, a skill.Of these varied definitions, which one holds true for our purpose? The answer depends on how we understand or interpret the word “translation”, for the

12、 very word “translation” itself is ambiguous. And the Chinese equivalent fanyi sounds even fuzzier. Fanyi, in Chinese, may either stand for a subject in the curriculum, a job people engage in, a piece of literary work, or the translating or interpreting work itself. Sometimes, fanyi may even refer t

13、o the translator or interpreter himself/herself.If the word “translation” refers to a subject, namely, the study of translation theory and skills, it is no doubt a science, just as any subject is, with its own rules, laws and principles for the translators to observe; however, if it refers to some s

14、pecific pieces of translation, then it is more like an art, with each piece of them manifesting its own charms and style in the creative hands of the translator; whereas, if it refers to a process, in which something is translated, then we may regard it as a craft or skill. For unlike any branch of

15、natural science, the process of translation has its own nature, and none of its rules and principles are universally applicable. Therefore, it entails a lot of practice, and particular craftsmanship and skills are reflected by the touches of different translators.Translation covers a very broad rang

16、e. In terms of languages, it can be divided into two categories: from native languages into foreign languages and vice versa; in terms of the mode, it can be divided into oral interpretation and written translation; in terms of materials to be translated, there are translation of scientific material

17、s, translation of literary works such as novels, stories, prose, poetry, drama, etc., translation of political essays such as treatises on social problems, repons, speeches, etc., and translation of practical writing （as official documents, contracts and agreements, notices, receipts, etc.）; in term

18、s of disposal, it can be either full-text translation, abridged translation or adapted translation.2. Principles or Criteria of TranslationThe so-called principles and criteria of translation are actually the two sides of the same coin. That is, on the part of the translator, he or she should follow

19、 them while translating; whereas on the part of the reader or critic, he or she may use the principles and criteria to evaluate translation works. Whenever principles or criteria of translation are under discussion in China, Yan Fus “three-character guide”-xin, da, ya, namely, “faithfulness （信）, exp

20、ressiveness （达）, and elegance （雅）”, which was first proposed in 1898, would evoke controversy.In the past decades, Mr. Yans principle has always been regarded as a plumb-line for measuring the professional level of translation and a goal for translators to strive after. However, in the application o

21、f this principle, people come to find some unsatisfactory aspects of the three-character guide and have put foreword a variety of new standards or criteria of translation.Despite a variety of opinions, two criteria are almost unanimously accepted by all, namely, the criterion of faithfulness/accurac

22、y （忠实/准确） and that of smoothness （流畅）. We may also take these two criteria as the principles of scientific literature translation. By faithfulness/accuracy, we mean to be faithful not only to the original contents, to the original meaning and views, but also to the original form and style. By smooth

23、ness, we mean not only easy and readable rendering, but also idiomatic expression in the target language, free from stiff formula and mechanical copying from dictionaries.3. Literal Translation and Free TranslationThe process of translation consists of two phases: comprehension and expression. Gener

24、ally speaking, comprehension is of foremost importance, and expression is the natural consequence of thorough comprehension. However, in the practice we may find that now and then some words or phrases in their usual senses are very difficult to deal with because of the disparity between English and

25、 Chinese. In this case, we have to resort to some special means of translation. Literal translation （直译） and free translation （意译） are two dynamic approaches in dealing with such awkward situations.The so-called literal translation, superficially speaking, means “not to alter the original words and

26、sentences”; strictly speaking, it strives “to keep the sentiments and style of the original.” It takes sentences as its basic units and takes the whole text （discourse） into consideration at the same time in the course of translation. Furthermore, it strives to reproduce both the ideological content

27、 and the style of the original works and retains as much as possible the figures of speech. There are quite a lot of examples of successful literal translation that have been adopted as idiomatic Chinese expressions. For example, crocodiles tears （鳄鱼的眼泪）, armed to the teeth （武装到牙齿）, chain reaction （

28、连锁反应）, gentlemens agreement （君子协定）, and so on. Similarly, some Chinese idioms also find their English counterparts through literal translation. For example, 纸老虎 （paper tiger）,一国两制 （one country, two systems ）, and so on.Free translation is an alternative approach which is used mainly to convey the me

29、aning and spirit of the original without trying to reproduce its sentence patterns or figures of speech. This approach is most frequently adopted when it is really impossible for the translator to do literal translation. For example:Adams Apple 喉结at sixes and sevens 乱七八槽It rains cats and dogs. 大雨滂沱D

30、ont cross the bridge till you get to it. 不必担心过早。 （不必自寻烦恼。）Do you see any green in my eye? 你以为我是幼稚可欺的吗?The above English expressions and sentences cannot be translated literally, otherwise, the Chinese rendering would make no sense, let alone convey the original meaning.Literal translation and free t

31、ranslation, like any translation techniques, are both restricted in application. In other words, there is no absolute “literal” or entirely “free” version in the practice of translation, and overemphasizing either of them would result in ridiculous consequences.In the application of literal translat

32、ion, we should endeavor to rid ourselves of stiff patterns and rigid adherence to translation rules, trying to be flexible; while in the practice of free translation, we should be cautious of subjectivity, avoiding groundless affirmation or arbitrary fabrication. In actual practice, we often alternate or combine these two approaches instead sticking to either.4. Translation TechniquesSpeaking of translation techniques, we differ from those who tend to ignore them, or dismiss them lightly as something inconsequential. On the oth