翻译理论知识

Mao Tse-tung was well bred, but inside he was made of steel, of hard resistance, of tough tissue—the kind of tissue the Boxers thought they had by magic, and bared their solar plexuses to foreign bullets.(ibid. )

Chinese Version A:

毛泽东有很好的教养，内部是钢，有坚强的抗力，是坚韧的材料制成的。这是义和团设想的由于神力具有的，可以把腹部袒胸给外国人的子弹的那种材料。 Chinese Version B:

毛泽东教养有素，精神支柱铁铸钢打，不怕高压，是由坚韧的组织构成的。这 种组织，就是义和拳认为他们通过魔法得到的那种组织袒胸露体，刀枪不入。

Comment:

The word \free translation，nor could the metaphor \be properly rendered without grasping the essence of the whole sentence. However，since there is no corresponding expressions in Chinese, the translators tackle them according to their own understanding. Inversion A，\is freely rendered as \材料\(material)，while version B literally as\组织\—both fail to convey the original meaning and attitude of the writer. By adopting translation skills such as amplification, omission，conversion and restructuring，we may translate the original English sentence as follows:

Revised Version:

毛泽东外表温文尔雅，但内心深处却钢铸铁打，既坚韧，又抗压—在他的身上可以看到当年义和团自信所具有的那种神力，面对洋枪洋炮也敢袒胸露怀。

From the above analysis, we come to the conclusion that there is no obvious distinction between literal translation and free translation, nor is it necessary to distinguish one from the other. The key point for a translator to grasp is to comprehend the original thoroughly, and then put it into idiomatic Chinese. In the process of translation, specific approaches such as literal or free translation may be of some help, but we should avoid the two extremes. In the application of literal translation, 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. Whatever the circumstances, we may alternate or combine these two approaches when it is necessary.

7. Omission

Omission is a technique opposite to amplification. True, a translator has no right to subtract any meaning from the original work. But it does not follow that he should refrain from omitting any words at all in translation. In fact, one of the marked differences in syntax between English and Chinese is the disparity in wording. What is regarded as a natural or indispensable element in one language may be regarded as superfluous or even \stumbling block\in the other. Take the following English sentence and its Chinese version for example:

Original English: The time-keeping devices of electronic watches are much more accurate than those of mechanical ones. Chinese Version: 电子表比机械表准确得多。

A comparison between the Chinese version with the English original shows that many of the \English words have been omitted in the Chinese translation, otherwise, the Chinese sentence would sound wordy and unnatural. Therefore, a manipulation of the technique \is always called for in English-Chinese translation. On the other hand, some Chinese sentences, when translated into English, also need to be rid of redundant wording so as to conform to idiomatic English expressions.

8. Conversion

Conversion, one of the commonly adopted translation techniques, means the change of parts of speech in translation. Owing to the syntactical differences between English and Chinese, it is usually impossible for a translator to keep to the original part of speech in the process of translation. For example:

Original English: This watch never varies more than a second in a month. Chinese Version: 这块表一个月的误差从不超过一秒钟。

The English verb \into Chinese by the same part of speech without spoiling the original meaning. As a matter of fact, a word belonging to a certain part of speech in one language sometimes has to be converted into a different part of speech, so as to bring forth a readable and coherent sentence.

9. Restructuring

Restructuring, as one of the translation techniques, means the necessary or inevitable change of word order in a sentence according to the usage of the language to be translated into. It is also called rearrangement or inversion.

10. Hypotactic vs. Paratactic (形合与意合)

Hypotaxis (形合法) is the dependent or subordinate construction or relationship of clauses with connectives, for example, I shall despair if you don't come. English sentence building is featured by hypotaxis.

Parataxis(意合法)is the arranging of clauses one after the other without connectives Showing the relation between them, for example, The rain fell; the river flooded; the house washed away. Chinese sentence building is featured by parataxis.

11. Foreignizing Translation and Domesticating Translation

(1). Foreignizing Translation

Foreignizing translation lays great emphasis on retaining the cultural flavors of the source language and enables the reader to have an alien reading experience, thus developing the reader's awareness of cultural differences. To promote cultural exchange and mutual understanding between peoples of different languages and cultures, foreignizing translation is a far better choice than domesticating translation. In this way we can better understand the source-language culture and enrich Chinese modes of expression. The weakness of foreignization is that the culture-specific expressions thus translated may not be familiar to our readers or smooth enough for us to read with ease. In this case, a semantic translation or an explanatory note may be added. However, what is unfamiliar at present may gradually become familiar as more and more intercultural communications take place, or as people read more and more such translated expressions. Here we are reminded of a much quoted saying by Lu Xun:

翻译必须有异国情调，就是所谓洋气。其实世界上也不会有完全归化的译文，倘有，就是貌合神离，从严辨别起来，它算不得翻译。凡是翻译，必须兼顾着两面，一当然力求其易解，一则保存着原作的丰姿，但这保存，却又常常和易懂相矛盾：看不惯了。不过它原是洋鬼子，当然谁也看不惯，为比较的顺眼起见，只能改换它的衣裳，却不该削低它的鼻子，剜掉它的眼睛。（《鲁迅全集》第6卷，348页）

and also a quotation from Mao Zedong:

要从外国语言中吸收我们所需要的成分。我们不是硬搬或滥用外国语言，是要吸收外国语言中的好东西，于我们适用的东西。因为中国原有语汇不够用，现在我们的语汇中就有很多是从外国吸收来的。例如今天开的干部大会，这“干部”两个字，就是从外国学来的。我们还要多多吸收外国的新鲜东西，不但要吸收他们的进步道理，而且要吸收他们的新鲜用语。（《反对党八股》）

It should be noted that skilful foreignizing translation, which may involve the techniques of necessary addition or omission, does not mean word-for-word or mechanical translation which disregards the original implication, the constraints of Chinese usage (linguistic and cultural), and the acceptability of our readers. Examples:

1). arm to the teeth

武装到牙齿 (cf. 全副武装) 2). crocodile tears

鳄鱼的眼泪 (cf. 猫哭老鼠假慈悲) 3). Beauty lies in the lover's eyes.

情人眼里出美人 (cf. 情人眼里出西施)

4). In the country of the blind, the one-eyed man is King. 盲人国里，独眼人称王 (cf. 蜀中无大将，廖化作先锋) 5). as gay (cheerful) as a lark

像云雀那样快活(cf.兴高采烈)

e.g. Ha, ha! We should be as gay as larks, Mr. Richard — why not? (C. Dickens:

The Old Curiosity Shop) 6)．Sour grapes

酸葡萄(cf.把得不到的东西说成是不好的)

e.g. But because we cannot satisfy the desires of our hearts - why should we cry

\7). Pandora's box

潘多拉的盒子 (cf. 灾难和罪恶的来源) 8). Judas kiss

犹大之吻 (cf.虚伪的好意) 9). teach a pig to play on a flute 教猪吹笛 (cf. 对牛弹琴)

10). flog a dead horse 鞭打死马 (cf.做无用功；白费口舌) 11). a dark horse 黑马 (cf. 出人意料的获胜者)

12). as easy as ABC 像ABC 字母一样简单 (cf. 非常容易)

13). ivory tower 象牙塔 (cf. 人们避免现实生活中烦恼的小天地) 14). Beauty is but skin-deep.

(谚语) 美貌只是一层皮(cf. 不可以貌取人) 15). Can the leopard change his spots?

(谚语)美洲豹岂能改变身上的花纹 (cf. 本性难移) 16). Trojan horse

(谚语) 特洛伊木马 (cf. 诡计；隐患；从内部进行颠覆破坏的人) 17). Never offer to teach fish to swim.

(谚语) 不要教鱼游泳 (cf. 不要班门弄斧) 18). look for a needle in a haystack 在草堆里找针 (cf. 海底捞针) 19). a stick-and-carrot policy

大棒加胡萝卜政策(cf.软硬兼施；恩威并用) 20). domino effect

多米诺骨牌效应 (cf.连锁反应) 21). John is her office Romeo.

约翰是她办公室里的罗迷欧(cf. 办公室里的男情人) 22). sandwich man