On English-Chinese Translation 1 Similarities and Differences between English and Chinese Languages and Their Translation Strategies
In English-Chinese translation, the lexical differences between the two languages are mainly reflected in three aspects: meaning, word order and collocation ability; Syntactically, English and Chinese have their own characteristics in sentence structure, sentence order and other expressions. Next, the author will discuss the degree of correspondence between English and Chinese from lexical phenomena and syntactic phenomena, and what translation skills should be used in translation practice according to these comparisons.
1. Comparison between English and Chinese
A contrastive study of English and Chinese lexical phenomena: 1. 1
First of all, in terms of meaning. As one of the three elements of language, vocabulary changes the fastest compared with pronunciation and grammar. With the continuous development and change of society and science, on the one hand, new words have been added to the language, on the other hand, old words have added new meanings. Before man invented the ship, he used sailboats. Sail? What is the original meaning of this word? Sail? , phrase? setsail？ Sail is the only way to sail. But with the development of society, sailboats are gradually replaced by coal, diesel and even nuclear-powered ships. Since the submarine appeared? Sail? This word has been added again? Submarine control tower? The new meaning of. This is the development and change of word meaning. When we compare English and Chinese, we should make it clear that their correspondence changes with the change of time and the development of society. The corresponding degree of English words in Chinese can be roughly summarized into four situations. First, it is completely corresponding. The meaning expressed by words in English can be expressed by completely corresponding words in Chinese. Like what? Computational linguistics? (Computational Linguistics), USA. The State Council, USA? (the State Council, USA). These are mainly some special nouns, terms and the names of common things in life, all of which are commonly translated. Second, partial correspondence. Some words in English and Chinese can only partially correspond in meaning, which is reflected in broad sense and narrow sense. Like what? Good morning. (morning, morning),? A gun? (Gun, cannon), an English word should have more Chinese meanings. Third, there is no corresponding relationship.
Some words in English or some words in Chinese cannot be expressed in another language. This mainly refers to some new words and phrases that reflect special social customs and things. Like English words? Bedo? (refers to a multi-purpose bed)? Plumber? An American agent who investigates leaks by government employees. Brunch? For leisure and relaxation, brunch is usually eaten on Sundays. Just like Chinese? Square table? ,? A plush chair? I can't find the corresponding word in English. Finally, many words in English are polysemous, corresponding to several words in Chinese. The specific meanings of these polysemous words should be determined in the context. Like what? Time? This word, in? havenotimetodosomething？ In Chinese, it means time; Are you online? The time is different. ? Being, indicating the times; Are you online? I've seen it several times. ? In short, it refers to the number of times. It can be seen that a word may have multiple meanings, and different occasions have different meanings.
Secondly, from the collocation ability of words. There are differences in collocation ability between English and Chinese. An English word can often be collocated with many other words to express different Chinese meanings. In words? Cut? For example, it can be used in the following phrases, such as cutcake{, cut wheat and cut navyers. It can be seen that cut has strong collocation ability and can be used for? Cake, wheat, nails? And Chinese needs to be used separately? Cut, cut, cut? When translating, we should pay attention to the differences in collocation ability between English and Chinese, and the choice of words in the translation should conform to the expression habits of Chinese. Like what? sheworeapairofsunglassessandwhitedress。 ? In a word, wear is matched with two nouns respectively? Sunglasses? And then what? Dress? , should be translated into? Wearing sunglasses? And then what? Wear a skirt? .
Finally, from the word order. The word order of subject, predicate verb and object in English and Chinese sentences is basically the same. However, the position of attributes and the order of adverbials are different in English and Chinese. Like Chinese sentences? They are singing in the classroom. Translate into English? They are singing in the classroom. ? Adverbial in Chinese? In the classroom? Is it placed in front of the predicate verb, not the adverbial in English? In the classroom? , placed after the predicate verb. For example, the order of adverbials of time or place in English is from small to large, while in Chinese it is from large to small. Like what? shewasbornata 8 a . m . onthefirstofoctober， 1990。 ? , translated into? She was born on 1990 10 at 8: 00 a.m. on June/0. ? In addition, the positions of attributes in English and Chinese are also different. When English words are used as attributes, they are usually placed in front of the modified words, but sometimes they are also placed behind, such as? Interesting story? Chinese and attributive? Interesting? Is it in a modifier? Stories? In front; And then what? Interesting thing? , attribute? Interesting? Put it after the modified word. But Chinese attributives are generally prepositions.
1.2 Comparison of Syntactic Phenomena between English and Chinese
In translation, English-Chinese sentence structures sometimes do not need to be transformed, and sometimes they need to be transformed according to the situation, which requires us to correctly handle the relationship between form and content. The syntactic differences between English and Chinese are mainly reflected in sentence structure and sentence order.
The transformation of sentence structure can be divided into the following situations: English simple sentences are transformed into Chinese complex sentences, English complex sentences are transformed into Chinese simple sentences, English inverted sentences are transformed into Chinese formal sentences, and English passive structures are transformed into Chinese active structures. Like what? She doesn't know what life means to her. ? This sentence can be translated into Chinese and can be translated into Chinese simple sentences. She doesn't know the meaning of life? In English, in order to highlight the key points and the needs of contextual mood, inverted sentences are often used, while Chinese is generally not used. At this time, English inverted sentences should be translated into Chinese formal sentences.
In addition, the word order of English and Chinese, here refers to the main clause, and the temporal order and logical order of clauses are not exactly the same, so their sequential positions are not exactly the same.
Take the time sequence in English and Chinese compound sentences as an example. In English subject-subject complex sentences, time-indicating clauses can be placed after or before the main clause, which is flexible in position. On the other hand, people in China will state what happened first and then what happened later in strict chronological order. Like what? AfterIhadmydinner，IwatchedTV。 ? In English sentences, regardless of the order of actions, the position of the main sentence is interchangeable. If you translate this sentence into Chinese, you must first say what happened:
? After dinner, I watch TV. The same is true of English complex sentences expressing cause and effect, which are flexible in cause and effect order, while Chinese idioms express cause and effect.
2. English-Chinese translation skills
By comparing English and Chinese lexical and syntactic phenomena, we can see that the two languages have their own characteristics. According to these characteristics, we can use some translation methods and techniques to express the ideological content of language forms. There are many methods and techniques commonly used in English-Chinese translation, such as word meaning selection, extension, part-of-speech translation, word addition, ellipsis, positive and negative expression, clause integration, translation of various clauses, idioms, onomatopoeia and so on. Based on the above-mentioned differences between English and Chinese, this paper analyzes the characteristics of the language and focuses on several translation techniques.
2. 1 Word sense selection
Both English and Chinese have polysemy and multi-categories. The same word often has several different meanings and belongs to several different parts of speech. In the process of English-Chinese translation, it is necessary to choose and determine the meaning of keywords according to the correspondence between English and Chinese words, and sometimes it is necessary to extend words and choose their positive and negative meanings. There are two ways to choose a word meaning. First of all, look at the collocation relationship of words in a sentence according to their parts of speech and context. For example. Like Likechargesrepel, not like chargesat-tract. ? In short, according to the analysis of parts of speech, judge? Like what? Is an adjective, which means in Chinese? The same? Translate the whole sentence into? Like charges repel, opposite charges attract? .
? Like what? Besides adjectives, they can also be used as verbs and prepositions. Like what? Tomlikestoplayfootball。 ? Yes,? Like what? As a verb? Do you like it? Go ahead. ? herhairisshininglikegoldinthebeam。 ? Like being a preposition? Like what? As can be seen from the above example, choosing the correct meaning can be determined according to the part of speech of the word in the sentence. On the other hand, the same word and the same part of speech in English often have different meanings in different language environments. It is necessary to determine the meaning of a word in a specific situation according to the context and the collocation of words. Such as the following sentence? Serve? Every word is a verb, but according to the context, it can be determined that its meaning is different. ? he hasservedforms . daisy fort twenty years？ Chinese translation? Serve? ; Are you online? His two daughters and sons serve in the army. ? Chinese translation? Service? ; Are you online? This is your service. ? Chinese, translated into? Serve? .
In English, a concrete image word is often used to express a concept or an attribute, while in Chinese, abstract concepts are often used. When translating, we should pay attention to the differences in expression habits between English and Chinese, and we cannot translate word for word. We should further extend the meaning of this word according to the context and logical relationship. everylifhasitsrosesandthompson？ Are you online? Ross? (Ross) And then what? Thorns? These two concrete images cannot be translated directly, but should be extended to? Is it sweet? And then what? Bitter? Translate the whole sentence into? Everyone has his own bitterness and sweetness? Another example? ihavelittlemoneyputasideforrainyday。 ? In this sentence? Rainy day? No translation? Rainy day? , but an abstract concept, refers to the urgent need for money.
2.2 Translation methods
In English-Chinese translation, due to the different expressions of English and Chinese, we can't? A radish and a pit? Copy mechanically, some words need to change their parts of speech in translation in order to make the translation smooth and natural. Part of speech translation refers to the translation of the original part of speech into other parts of speech, such as the translation of English nouns into Chinese verbs, examples? mysis-terisgoodatswimming . ithinksheisabetterteacherthani？ Are you online? Teacher? Is it a noun? Teacher? Can it be translated into verbs when translating? Teaching? This sentence is translated into? I think she will teach better than me? If you translate? I think she will be a better teacher than me? It looks stiff and stiff. Adjectives can sometimes be translated into nouns. In English, some adjectives with definite articles can represent a class of people, so we should translate adjectives into nouns when translating them into Chinese. Like what? wewilldourbesttohelpthesickandthebounded？ Where are the adjectives? the sick and the bound？ To be translated into nouns? The sick and the wounded? There are also some adjectives in English that express feelings and emotions, such as? Anger, confidence, fear, awareness, concern, shame, gratitude? This kind of adjectives can often be translated into Chinese verbs when they are used as predicative words after copula verbs.
Like what? Heisawareofhismistakes。 ? The adjective aware in this sentence should be translated into a verb? Do you know? English uses more verbs in Chinese than in Chinese. According to this feature, many parts of speech in English, especially nouns, adjectives and adverbs, can often be translated into verbs in Chinese translation.
2.3 Vocabulary addition
Due to the different expressions between English and Chinese, in translation, in addition to changing the part of speech, the number of words can be increased or decreased. Lexical addition refers to adding some words according to the needs of meaning and syntax to make the translation more faithful to the ideological content of the original text. In order to make sentences more fluent, verbs, adjectives, adverbs and nouns can be added in translation. Like what? Hewenthomeefterthebanquetsandconcerts and concerts ? What if it is translated literally? After the banquet and concert, he went home. ? It seems that the meaning is not clear enough, but if you add a verb before the noun, translate it into? After banquets and concerts? In this way, two verb-object phrases are formed, and the sentences are more fluent. Another example? Thecrowdsmeltedaway，？ The crowd gradually dispersed. In this sentence, an adverb is added before the verb? Gradually? Make the translation more accurate. Another example? You should wash your hands before meals. ? You should wash your hands before meals. The object of this sentence? Hands? Is it actually implied in the verb? Wash? After that, so we should express the object in translation and add nouns here. In addition, numerals in English can often be used directly with countable nouns, while quantifiers are often used in Chinese to express their shapes and characteristics. Like Abiker, Nightmare, Arison.
In the above example, quantifiers are added to Chinese translation, which is in line with Chinese expression habits.
2.4 Omission
The addition and deletion mentioned above refers to adding some words to make the translation more fluent, and the ellipsis rule refers to deleting some words that do not need to be translated in the original text, as well as some unnecessary words that are cumbersome or contrary to the language habits of the translation. However, ellipsis is not to abandon the ideological content of the original text, but to understand its meaning although there are no words in the translation. This paper discusses it from the perspective of grammar and rhetoric. First, from a grammatical point of view, pronouns, it, conjunctions, articles, prepositions and so on can be omitted. According to the custom of China people, the former sentence has a subject, and the latter sentence does not need to be used repeatedly if it has the same subject. But English usually has a subject in every sentence, and the differences in expression between English and Chinese should be taken into account in translation. Like what? Hewasthinandhelookedmiserable。 ? He is thin and looks miserable. The subject in the second sentence was omitted in the translation. English possessive pronouns can also be omitted in Chinese translation. Like what? hesredhisshouldersandshookhishead。 ? Where is the possessive pronoun? His? There is no need to translate. He shrugged and shook his head? In English, it is also a pronoun and is often used in person. At this time, it is often omitted and not translated. Such as Sheglancedathiswatch, it's 7. She looks at her watch. It's seven o'clock. In addition, there are not many conjunctions between Chinese words, and their logical connection is often implicit, while English is not, and conjunctions are used more. Therefore, there is no need to translate conjunctions in English-Chinese translation. Secondly, from the rhetorical point of view, some phrases in English sentences are repeated and can be appropriately omitted in English-Chinese translation. ? Appli-cants hohadworking experience will get priority over those who have no jobs. ? Translation? Working experience is preferred. ? If there is no omission, translation? Candidates with work experience have priority over those without work experience? It seems verbose.
There are many methods and techniques of English-Chinese translation, such as repetition, positive and negative expressions, anyway, clause combination, syntax and so on, so I won't go into details here. English and Chinese are two highly developed languages. Comparing their similarities and differences is very important for English translation teaching. This paper makes a comparative study of the most common and typical features and differences between English and Chinese in language and writing, and puts forward several appropriate translation methods and skills for teachers' reference in translation teaching. Of course, all kinds of translation methods and techniques should be applied flexibly in translation according to the specific ideological content of the original text, and cannot be applied mechanically. In a word, translation is a creative activity of a language. Translation theories and skills accumulated through practice are valuable, because they can be used to guide and inspire translation practice, and translation practice is also the standard to test the correctness of translation theories. As an English teacher, we should pay attention to the dialectical relationship between translation theory and practice in the teaching of translation courses, so as to attach importance to translation practice without neglecting the necessary translation theory.
References:
Zhang Peiji. English-Chinese Translation Course [M]. Shanghai Foreign Language Education Press, 1998.
[2] Chen Guoqiang. Modern English Lexicology [J]. Shanghai Foreign Language Education Press, 1998.
[3] Fang Mengzhi. English translation practice and skills [J]. Tianjin Translation Publishing Company, 1994.
[4] Fan Zhongying. Practical translation course [J]. Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press, 1999.
Essays on English-Chinese Translation II. In English-Chinese translation? Loyalty?
Abstract: With the acceleration of internationalization, more and more people realize the importance of English and English writing. However, due to the huge differences between Chinese and English backgrounds, different ways of thinking, different writing angles, methods and words, we have made many mistakes in English writing. Many examples have proved that speech errors in English learning are directly related to Chinese interference, that is, negative transfer, that is, the interference caused by differences between Chinese languages on foreign language learning and some characteristics and laws of foreign languages learned.
Keywords: faithful expression in English-Chinese translation 1 errors caused by different expressions of the same thing in English
1. 1 Part of speech error
Many students only pay attention to the meaning of the selected words in English writing, but ignore the part of speech of the words, which leads to the occurrence of word errors.
My friend didn't? I am not afraid of dogs.
His father advised him not to fight with anyone.
Example 1) mistook adjectives for verbs, and example 2) mistook nouns for verbs. This is because the foundation is not firm, and some commonly used words are not carefully researched, which leads to wrong words.
1.2 is in the wrong form.
In English writing, the present tense of the third person singular is often omitted, and there are mistakes in the singular and plural nouns. This is because in Chinese, Chinese nouns are generally neither singular nor plural, nor countable or uncountable. There is no relationship between the subject and the predicate, and the predicate is not singular in the third person. Because of the obvious differences between Chinese and English words, this sentence will be written in English:
(1) There are many sheep on the grassland.
She looks after three children.
In the example (1), sheep is regarded as a countable noun, but it is actually an uncountable noun. In example 2), look should be the third person singular looks.
1.3 function word error
English function words include articles, prepositions and conjunctions. Articles and prepositions do not exist at all in Chinese, and they are often misused. However, the only conjunction that can be used in Chinese obviously plays a far-reaching negative transfer role:
He arrived in Beijing yesterday.
(2) 1980 bought the dictionary.
Although it was raining, I went to school.
In example 1), arrive is an intransitive verb, and the preposition in or at must be used after it, so in should be added after arrive. What are the ages of Chinese and English? We must use the definite article before, so we should change it to? In the1980s? . In example 3), because Chinese? Although? But the influence of structure can go wrong. The difference is that in English, although? But only one can be used.
1.4 The selected words should be different in different contexts, which is another error-prone place.
Different contexts also use different words, and context restricts the use of words to a great extent. So when you write, you must choose words that are suitable for asking questions up and down. If we don't pay attention to the influence of context on word selection, we may write inconsistent and illogical sentences because of improper use of words.
May I open the door? The lights in the room are too close.
From the context of this sentence, the speaker's gate refers to the door, so it is reasonable to use door. What does gate mean? The gate of the courtyard? An expression that is out of context.
It is difficult for translation circles to reach a consensus on translation standards, but there are two standards that are recognized as faithfulness and fluency.
So-called? Loyalty? First of all, it means that the translation must accurately and truthfully convey the content of the original text, and the meaning of the original text can neither be distorted at will, nor can it be increased or decreased at will. The content not only refers to the facts, reasons and scenery described in the original text, but also includes the thoughts, viewpoints, positions and feelings reflected by the author in the process of narration, explanation and description. ? Loyalty? It also refers to the faithful communication of the original style. Translators cannot change the style of the original text at will. If the original text is spoken, it cannot be translated into written form. If the original is vulgar, it can't be translated into elegant style, that is, the translator can't replace the style of the original with his own style.
2. 1 Some translators are too rigid in the literal form of the original text, and their translations are obscure.
Be loyal to the original text in Chinese-English translation? For many years, it has been the first requirement and center of translation theory and practice. But in recent years, there are more and more appeals to tell you about translation. Loyalty? Translation requirements have been met. The article from dream to reality: a survey of translation disciplines published in the third issue of Foreign Languages 1998 can be taken as a typical example. The article quoted Lefevere as saying:? Loyalty is just one of many translation strategies, which is the product of the combination of a certain ideology and a certain literary view. It is unrealistic and futile to regard it as the only possible or even allowed strategy. ? Based on this and other similar arguments, the author draws a conclusion:? Loyalty to the original text is not the only standard of nature, and there is no eternal and absolutely correct standard in the world. ?
2.2 Can translators choose 30%, 50% and 70% faithfulness?
The emergence of translation is due to the need of cultural exchange. At this point, it can be compared to introducing western paintings and music to China, or conversely, introducing China's paintings or China's folk music to foreign countries. No matter what the other purpose of this kind of introduction activities is, they all have a consistent main and basic goal: to show the original appearance to the cultural recipients. This starting point requires absolute loyalty, and we don't? 30%, 50% and 70%? choose
At this time? Loyalty? Means that an objective object is completely copied, no more, no less. However, we can't stick to the analogy between translation and the introduction of painting and music. The fundamental reason is that they use different media. Mr. Qian Zhongshu pointed out long ago? We should make it clear that if the medium of painting is color line segment and the medium of music is tone, then the medium of poetry is not words, but words and the meaning of words; If we regard the writing itself as a medium of literature, regardless of the ideological significance, then a poem looks like a glyph. It's just inexplicable ink. Judging from the pronunciation of words, it's just out of tune. ?
By this time? Loyalty? It becomes a very subjective concept. Without objectivity, there is no operability.
But, translation? Loyalty? Standards are not so easily denied. In practice, people may sacrifice some? Loyalty? But this is often to ensure a bigger part? Loyalty? Can it be achieved, still to the maximum? Loyalty? . In fact, once the translator gives up the subjective pursuit of loyalty, there is no reason for the translator to stop. Thirty percent? And it will reach 10%, 5% or even lower. The pursuit of loyalty is the link between the original text and the translation. Once this link is cut off, it cannot be called translation, and translation will cease to exist.
3 Conclusion
In translation? Loyalty? Loyalty is important, but it is not enough. Translation is not a word-for-word copy, nor is it a random tampering with the translator's thoughts regardless of the expression of the original text. Translation should not only reproduce the facts and scenery described in the original text, but also reproduce the thoughts, viewpoints, positions, feelings and styles reflected by the author in the process of narration, explanation and description.