中英语言特点对比

Take care of “Word for word translation”!

However, it is always easier said than done.

Negative transfer: Chinese thinking mode, which has been implanted into our sub-consciousness, will easily lead to some mistakes in our C-E translation.

Can you translate a Chinese sentence into English correctly?

Comparison and Contrast of Syntax Between C & E

Chinese：parataxis意合(the placing of related clauses, etc. in a series without the use of connecting words )

English：hypotaxis形合

(the dependent relation of a clause or construction on another)

你来，我就走。If you come, I'll go.

虚心使人进步，骄傲使人落后。

Modesty helps one to go forward, whereas conceit makes one lag behind. Comparison and Contrast of Syntax Between C & E

Chinese：topic-prominent 主题显著( the subject does not have to be the topic) English：subject-prominent 主语显著( the subject is always the topic) determination of the subject

A. Use the original subject

如果说，词汇是语言的“建筑材料”，那么，句子便是文章的“基本部件”。

If vocabulary is the “building materials”for language, sentences are the “fundamental parts”of writings.

帮助真正的穷人，要比仅仅缩小贫富差距更有价值。

Helping the truly poor is much worthier than merely narrowing inequalities.

B. Re-select a subject

他的身材魁梧，生一副大长方脸，嘴巴阔大，肌肤呈着紫檀色。

He was a giant of a man with a long square face, a wide mouth and a complexion suffused with the color of red sandalwood.

以往的国际文献认为，印度是亚洲水稻的原产地。

Previously, in the international literature, India was said to be the country where Asian rice originated.

C. Supplement a subject

在和老人聊天的过程中，多和老人聊聊下次什么时候再回家，让父母心里有一种慰藉。

In chatting with parents, grown-up children should talk more about when to reunite with their parents next time, giving the latter a spiritual comfort.

凡事应该适度，适度是最安全的。

One/We should be moderate in all things, and moderation is always the safest way.

自从理查德·尼克松（Richard Nixon）同癌症宣战以来已经有30年了。

It is already three decades since Richard Nixon declared war on cancer.

还将有一些生活极端贫困的人们，他们还需要政府的资助。

There will still be some people living in extreme poverty, who are still in need of the government's financial support.

our mother tongue’s negative transfer(负迁移) may lead to 2 major problems in C-E sentence translation:

1. the logical subject cannot go with the non-predicate verb.

2. the English sentence is made up of fragments with more than one predicate. 1. The logical subject cannot go with the non-predicate verb.

但作为国际社会中重要一员，中国未来20年的城市化进程必将对全球产生比较深远的影响。

But as a major member of the international community, China’s progress in urbanization will surely produce a profound effect upon the world in the coming two decades. (Is it correct?)

但作为国际社会中重要一员，中国未来20年的城市化进程必将对全球产生比较深远的影响。

But as a major member of the international community, China, with its progress in urbanization, will surely produce a profound effect upon the world in the coming two decades. (This is correct)

30个小时以后，男孩的父母收到一封匿名信，叫他们支付10万元的赎金。Thirty hours later, the boy’s parents received an anonymous letter, informing them that they must pay a ransom of ￥100,000. (Right?)

30个小时以后，男孩的父母收到一封匿名信，叫他们支付10万元的赎金。Thirty hours later, the boy’s parents received an anonymous letter informing them that they must pay a ransom of ￥100,000. (Correct!)

其实，粮食是在逐渐增产，只是增收的幅度远远低于支出，农民的低收入水平难以应对更大的市场生存规则，致使他们放弃了土地，开始进城打工或者转而从事其他行业，由此引发了对粮食安全问题的关注。

Actually, food production is increasing slowly, only that the rate lags far behind the expense, so the farmers’low income level cannot afford their cost of living in an enlarged market, forcing them to leave their land to find work in cities or to switch to other trades, which, therefore, has raised concerns over food security.

2. An English sentence is made up of fragments with more than one predicate

我常见许多青年的朋友，聪明用功，成绩优异，而语文程度不足以达意，甚至写一封信亦难得通顺。

I have come across a great many young friends , bright and diligent , do exceedingly well in studies, but they are rather weak in Chinese, even can’t write a letter in correct Chinese. (Right?)