翻译实用技巧及双语对比

1、Translation （E-C） Materials for English Major 2008INTROOUCTIONL Principles or Criteria of Translation1. Translation Criteria of ChinaThe so-called principles and criteria of translation are actually the two sides of the same thing. The former lays emphasis on the translator, who should follow them w

2、hile translating; while the latter on the reader or critic, who may use the criteria to evaluate translation works. Whenever principles or criteria of translation are under discussion in China, Yan Fu's "three-character guide" , which was first proposed in 1898, would evoke controversy

3、, namely, the principle of ”信、达、雅” （faithfulness expressiveness and elegance ）.In the past decades Mr. Yan's principle of translation has been generally regarded as a plumb-line for measuring the professional level of translation and a goal for translators to strive after. However, in the applic

4、ation of this principle, people have conic to find some limitations to the three characters and put forward a variety of new standards instead.Some opinions are expressed on the principle of faithfulness, expressiveness and elegance. The first group maintains the original three characters, and in th

5、e meantime, adds some new concepts to the character “雅According to them,“雅" means far more than the English word "elegance". Apart from the traditional interpretation, it also means classicism, the adherence to the original style and flavor. The second group, however, argues that the

6、word "雅“is out of place in translation. While adopting the first two characters of Mr. Yan Fu's principle, it discards the character “雅兴" and tries to find some other new criteria instead. Noticeably, there are revisions such as “信、达、切（faithfulness, expressiveness and closeness ）, prop

7、osed by Liu Zhongde （刘重德）.He points out that faithfulness is in content, expressiveness in language and closeness is to the style of the original work. “信达贴”（faithfulness, expressiveness and fitness）, and so on. The third group of people by casting away the three-word guide propose some new principl

8、es or criteria of translation of their own. Of the various popular theories two of them are most influential: spiritual conformity （神似）and sub-limed adaptation （化境）The former, proposed by Fu Lei （傅雷）,emphasizes the reproduction of the spirit or the flavor of the original, while the latter, advocated

9、 by Qian Zhongshu （钱钟书），focuses on the translator's smooth and idiomatic Chinese version for the sake of the Chinese reader. Lu Xun （鲁迅）has proposed <faithfulness and smoothness" as the criteria of translation and talked about the relationship between them. The value of a translation lie

10、s in its faithfulness to the original text. Professor Xu Yuanzhong （许渊冲）has raised his own principle of translation in his book The Art of Translation. Xu has summed up his literary translation theories in the following words: "Art of beautification and creation of the best as in rivalry （美化之艺术

11、,创优似竞赛）J By “beautification”（三美论）Xu means a translated work should be as beautiful as the original in sense, in sound and in form: by “ization”（三化论）.Xu includes cqualization（equivalence）, generalization and particularization: by “ion”（三之论）he implies comprehension （understanding）, appreciation （enjoy

12、ment）, and admiration （delight）.2. Translation Criteria of Western ScholarsEugene A. Nida made a distinction between formal equivalence and dynamic equivalence. By "formal equivalence”, Nida refers to a faithful reproduction of form elements in a source text, and by "dynamic equn-aleiice&q

13、uot; equivalence of extra-inguistic effects of translation.The British translation theorist Peter Newmark has put forward semantic translation and communicative translation. He puts translation methods in the form of a flattened V diagram (Newmark. 2001 ： 45).Source language emphasisWord-for-word tr

14、anslationLiteral iranslationFai-hful 十ranskrtion5-man + ic jranskrtionTarget language emphasis Adapta-ionFree iranskrtion 工 dioma 十 ic iracskrtion Communicative iranskitionDespite the variety of opinions, two criteria are almost unanimously accepted, namely, the criterion of faithfulness/accuracy (忠

15、实A隹确)and that of smoothness(流畅).We may also take these two criteria as the principles of translation in general. 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 smoothness, we mean not

16、only easy and readable rendering, but also idiomatic expression in the target language, free from stiff formula and mechanical copying from dictionaries.IV. Literal Translation and Free Translation直译：“literal translation or word-for-word translation'5 意译 as liberal translation' or "丘ee

17、translation'These terms do not really make much sense. For example, a "word-for-word" translation even between two close languages of the same family in most cases will make no sense. As for wfree translation' the translator is never really but is always restricted by the source te

18、xt. Literal translation and free translation, however, are relative concepts. In other words, tliere is no absolute "literal", nor entirely "free" version in the practice of translation, and overemphasizing either of them would result in ridiculous consequences. Actually the purp

19、ose of any and all translation is to convey the meaning of the source text, just as Eugene Nida put it, "Translating is die translating of meaning(3) I have read your articles, I expected to meet an older man.硬译：我读过你的文章，我期望见到一位更老的人。改译：(4) She is old enough to go to school.硬译：她老到足够上学了。改译：The tra

20、nslator's task is to convey the meamiig of the original, but tliere are different compreheasions of meaning itself, or there are different levels of meanings and thus different translations. The following are some examples:1) We had plenty of company in the way of wagonloads and mule-loads of to

21、urists and dust.Version A:我们有很多以马车装载和骡子负载的旅游者这种方式的同伴和尘上。Version B:跟我们做伴的真不少，有乘马车的乘客，有骑骡子的游客一一一路尘上飞扬。Version C:我们的旅伴真不少：马车载的，骡子驮的，还有滚滚尘土。2) “It is an order from President Bush." I don't care if it is from bush, tree, or grass：VersionA这是布什总统的命令“我不在意它来自灌木、树、还是草VersionB这是布什总统的命令我不在意它来自布什木、树、还是草

22、。”Version C: “这是布什总统的命令。”“管它什么布什、布头是布片呢，与我无关。”3) But Diana s champions were overwhelmingly women. Like many of them, she had a heartless husband, in-laws from hell, and fickle boyfriends.Version A:可是惫安娜的冠军绝大多数是妇女。像她们中的很多，她有一个无情的丈夫，来自地狱的姻亲，感情易变 的男朋友。Version B:可是唐安娜的拥护者绝大多数是妇女。和她们中的很多人一样，她有一个无情无义的丈夫，地

23、狱般的姻亲, 见异思迁的男朋友。VersionC:而拥戴黛安娜的绝大多数是妇女。因为她的遭遇和他们中的很多人类似：丈夫无情无义，婆家蛮不讲理， 男友个个负心。Version A in the above succeed only in translating the surface meaning or literal meaning; version B bring out the actual meaning, and version C go further to express the meaning smoothly. Versions C are what competent tr

24、anslators should aim at.The following examples are well translated but we can see the translations are by no means free' Actually the translator adopts some accommodation to offer more aesthetical enjoyment. However, this requires a real aptitude for the language.VI. The Skills of TranslatingTra

25、nslation and Culture-Domestication and Foreignization:With all the cultural difference, it boils down to one problem: what kind of strategies shall be adopted to do translation?Lian Shuneng in his book, A Course book on English-Chinese Translation interpreted foreignization and domestication like th

26、is： fcfcForeignization is a strategy in which a target text is produced which deliberately breaks target contentions by retaining something of the foreignness of the original; domestication is a strategy in which a transparent fluent style is adopted to minimize the strangeness of die foreign text f

27、or target language readers''Now we will compare the two translation strategies by offering different versions of the same original text （F is short for Foreiguization and D for Domestication）:1. Every life has its roses and thorns.人生总、是有苦有乐，甘苦参半。（人生的道路蜕铺满拜花，又充满利捺。）2. He was a dead shot. Howe

28、ver, he met his Waterloo this time.他是一个神梏手，可这一次却遭到榛败。3. After the failure of his last novel, his reputation stood on slippery ground.他上一篇小说写砸了，他的名声从此炎炎可危。2. COMPREHENSIVE ABILITIES THROUGH COMPARATIVES STUDIES1. Synthetic vs. Analytic1VEnglish is a synthetic language marked with inflexions（曲折变化形式），w

29、hile Chinese is analytic language without any inflectionf which is usually implied in the context or explicitly shown in such words as “着、 了、 过“etc. For example：Thus encouraged > they made a still bolder plan for the next yea匚 由于受到这样的鼓励，他们为第二年制订一个更大胆的计划。2. Compact vs. DiffusiveEnglish sentences a

30、rc compact（聚集），namely, tightly combined with connectives or prepositions, while Chinese is diffused （流散），that is, loose in structure.A notion has taken hold in the US to the effect that the only people who should be encouraged to bring children into the world are those who can afford them.在美国有一个根深蒂固

31、的观点，说是只有对那些抚养得起子女的民族，才应鼓励其生育。Although lonely in a new land, he was described by his fellow workers andstudents as cheerfuh of a friendly nature, honest, and modest.虽然他单身一人，又处在异乡客地，但正如他的同事和学生描述的那样，他为人愉快开朗， 温文尔雅，诚实谦虚。3. Hypotactic vs. ParatacticIn English» clauses or phrases are coordinated with

32、one another or subordinated to one another syntactically while in Chinese they are placed one after another without coordinating connectives.He had a disconcerting habit of expressing contradictory ideas in rapid succession.他有一种令人难堪的习惯：一会儿一个看法，自相矛盾，变化无常。The present onslaught of vehicles poses a seri

33、ous threat to urban life and pedestrian peace of mind.车辆横冲直撞，严重地威胁着城市生活，路上行人无不提心吊胆。4. Complex vs. SimplexEnglish sentences are long and complex, while Chinese sentences are short and simple. For example：Many man-made substances are replacing certain natural materials because either the quality of th

34、e natural product can not meet our ever-increasing requirement, on more often, because the physical properties of the synthetic substance, have been chosen, and even emphasized, so that it would be of the greatest use in the fields in which it is to be applied.许多人造材料正在代替某些天然材料，这或者是由于天然物产的数量不能满足日益增长的

35、需要，或者往往是由于人 们选择了合成材料的一些物理性质并加以突出而造成的。因此，合成材料在拟用的领域将具有极大的用途。5. Impersonal vs. PersonalEnglish uses more impersonal structures than Chinese does, as shown in the following examples：An idea suddenly stmek me.我突然想到一个主意。A strange peace came over her when she was alone.她独处时感到一种特别的安宁。Not a sound reached ou

36、r ears.我们没有听到任何声音。A great elation over came them,他们欣喜若狂。6. Passive vs. Active:The volume is not measured in square millimeters. It is measured in cubic millimeters.体积不是以平方亳米计量的。它是以立方亳米计量的。7. Static vs. DynamicEnglish is static, and agent nouns(施事者)are frequently used to replace verbs, while Chinese

37、is dynamic, using more verbs in a single sentence.He is a good eater and a good sleeper.他能吃能睡。You must be a very bad learner： or else you must be going to a very bad teacher.你一定很不善于学习，要不然就是教你的人很不会教。The computer is a far more careful and industrious inspector than human beings.计算机比人检查得更细心、更勤快。8. Abst

38、ract vs. ConcreteIn expressing the same idea English is more abstract while Chinese is more concrete.A high degree of carelessness t pre-operative and post-operative t on the part of some of the hospital staff took place.医院某些医护人员在手术前后都非常粗心。9. Indirect vs. DirectSome English sentences tend to use ind

39、irect ways of affirmation while Chinese sentences are straightforward.I couldn't feel better.我觉得身体好极了。I couldn't agree with you more.我太赞成你的看法了。10. Substitutive vs. RepetitiveGenerally speaking> English doesn't use so many repetitions as Chinese does.You should help her since you have

40、Promised to do so.你既然答应了要帮助她就应当帮助她。He hated failure； he had conquered it all his life, risen above it, and despised it in others.他讨厌失败，他一生中曾战胜失败，超越失败，并且藐视别人的失败。3. Translation Techniques(2) Amplification, also called addition, means supplying necessary words in our translation on the basis of accurat

41、e comprehension of the original.1. Amplification by Supplying Words Omitted in the OriginalMatter can be changed into energy, and energy into matter.物质可以转化为能，能也可以转化为物质。2. Amplification by Supplying Necessary ConnectivesHeated, water will change into vapor.水如受热，就会汽化。4. Amplification for Purposes of R

42、hetoric (修辞)or Coherence (连贯)This typewriter is indeed cheap and fine.这部打字机真是价廉物美。5. Amplification by RepetitionAvoid using this computer in extreme cold, heat, dust or humidity.不要在过冷、过热、灰尘过重、湿度过大的情况下使用此电脑。(3) Omission is a technique opposite to amplification, True, translator has no right to subtra

43、ct any meaning from the original work. But it does not follow that he should refrain from omitting any words at all in translation.1. Omission of the Pronoun:He put his hands into his pockets and then shnigged his shoulders.他将双手放进衣袋，然后耸了耸肩。2. Omission of the Article The moon was slowly rising above

44、the sea.月亮慢慢从海上升起313. Omission of the Preposition .The difference between the two machines consists in power.这两台机器的差别在于功率不同。4. Omission of the Conjunction: He looked gloomy and troubled.他看上去有些忧愁。5. Omission of the Verb:When the pressure gets low, the boiling point becomes low.气压低，沸点就低。6. Omission of

45、 "It”Omission of the Impersonal Pronoun This often occurs when “it" is meaningless or empty.It was a cold, dark day. the sky overcast.寒冷阴沉的一天，乌云密布。Omission of the Emphatic Pronoun "It". This often occurs when "it" is emphatic.Reading furnishes the mind only with materia

46、ls of knowledge; it is thinking that makes what we read ours.读书只能给智能提供知识的材料，思想才能把我们所读的东西变成自己的。(4)Repetition is also a basic translation technique, which carries the emphatic function in the sentence. Apart from emphasis and vividness, in general, repetition should be avoided.(-)为了明确1. The repetition

47、 of the nouns(1) The repetition of the nouns used as objects1) We should learn how to analyze and solve problems.我们应学会如何分析问题、解决问题。(2) The repetition of the nouns used as predictives1) This has been our position but not theirs.这一直是我们的立场而不是他们的立场。 The repetition of the nouns used as precedentsWe are gr

48、eatly inspired by the glowing success of the tremendous revolution, which is now changing the whole world.这场巨大革命的辉煌胜利使我们欢欣鼓舞，这个胜利正在改变着整个世界。2. The repetition of the verbs英语句子常用一个动词连接几个宾语或表语，在译文中往往要重复这个动词。1) People forget your face first, then your name人们首先忘记你的容貌，接着又忘记你的名字，3. The repetition of the pro

49、nouns1) Ignoring a problem does not solve it.对于一个问题置之不理，并不能解决问题。(二)为了强调2) Work while you work, play while you play.该工作时就工作，该玩时就玩。3) It is impossible to live in society and be independent of society.生于社会，不能脱离社会。三)为了生动1 .运用两个四字词组1) He showed himself calm in an emergency situation.他在情况危急时，态度从容，镇定自若。2 .

50、运用词的重迭1) The toasts were flat.祝酒辞平平淡淡。2) I wasn't evasive in my【eply.我的回答并不躲躲闪闪。3 .运用四字对偶词组nimors 流言蜚语careless粗心大意grotesque奇形怪状(5) Conversion,I. Converting into Verbs1. Nouns Converted Into VerbsThe sight and sound of our jet planes filled me with special longing.看到我们的喷气式飞机，听见隆隆的机声，我感到心驰神往。2. Prepositions Converted Into VerbsShe skimmed over the lawn, up the path, up the steps, across the veranda, and into the porch.她越过草地，跑上小径，跨上台阶，穿过凉台，进了门廊。3. Adjectives Converted I