translation process

Basic Theory And Techniques of Translation

Foreign Languages College, Shanghai Normal University

I. Criteria and process of translation

1. Criteria of translation

What is translation? To put it briefly, translation, essentially, is the faithful representation in one language of what is written or said in another language. Translation is bilingual work; that is, it concerns at least two languages. In case of Chinese-English translation, Chinese is the 1st language, English is the 2nd language, or Chinese is source language, English is target language. In case of English-Chinese translation, English is the 1st language, Chinese is the 2nd language, or English is source language, and Chinese is target language. One who wants to be a good translator must be good at both the target language and the source language. This is the prerequisite for a translator. In the cause of translation, first, we must have a good understanding of the source language; secondly, we must have a good representation in the target language. To the last analysis, your vocabulary, grammar, your Chinese are all tested in the process of translation.

What is a good piece of translation, or what are the criteria of translation? We know that in China, the three-character-criteria (信、达、雅faithfulness, expressiveness and elegance) have great influence and are still playing an important role n the field of translation. However, there have been a lot of arguments about these words. To be practical, especially for those who begin to learn translation, our criteria should be simpler and easy to use. To state it briefly, a good piece of translation is a good combination of both faithfulness and smoothness (忠实、通顺). What is meant by the term faithfulness? By faithfulness we mean our translation version must be faithful to the meaning contained in the original text. In the cause of translation, a translator is not permitted or allowed to make any change in meaning, though he must not stick to the original form too much. What is meant by smoothness? By smoothness we meant the language used in the translation version must be smooth and expressive. In the course of translation, a translator should use the generally accepted language (规范语言). He must at the same time try to avoid broken, ungrammatical and awkward language.

Faithfulness should not be obtained at the cost of smoothness and it is also true the other way round.

2. Steps of translation

It goes without saying that translation naturally includes 2 steps, that is, the step of comprehension and the step of representation.

1) Firstly, the step of comprehension. Let's first see some examples.

Ex. Suddenly the line (引爆电线) went limp.

"I'm going back," said he. "We must have a break somewhere. Wait for me. I'm be back in five minutes."