翻译理论和实践

Chapter Two: Translation: Theory and Practice Part 1．Understanding of Translation

1. Definition of translation:

Definitions of proper translating are almost numerous and varied as the persons who have undertaken to discuss the subject. This diversity is in a sense quite understandable; for there are vast differences in the materials translated, in the purposes of the publication, and in the needs of the prospective audience. Moreover, live languages are constantly changing and stylistic preferences undergo continual modification. Thus a translation acceptable in one period is often quite unacceptable at a latter time.

(Eugene Nida) Translation is the expression in one language (or target language) of what have been expressed in another, source language, preserving semantic and stylistic equivalence. (Dubois. J.et al) Translation is craft consisting in the attempt to replace a written message and/or statement in one language by the same message and/or statement in another language. (Peter Newmark)

翻译是运用一种语言把另一种语言所表达的思维内容准确而完整地重新表达出来的语言活动。（张培基）

把已说出或写出的话的意思用另一种语言表达出来的活动。（季羡林、许国璋）

翻译是将一种语言文字所蕴含的意思用另外一种语言文字表达出来的文化活动。（王克非）

2. Translation principles:

A. F. Tytler’s three laws of translation:

1) The translation should give a complete transcript of the ideas of the original work.

2) The style and manner of writing should be of the same character with that of the original.

3) The translation should have all the ease (流畅自然) of the original. 严复：信达雅

Faithfulness/expressiveness/elegance. The “three character guide” is regarded as a plumb-line to measure the professional level of translating. 傅雷：神似

Spiritual conformity. Emphasizing the reproduction of the spirit or the flavor of the original.

钱钟书：化境

Sublimed adaptation. Focus on the translator’s smooth and idioma tic Chinese version for the sake of the Chinese reader.

刘重德：信、达、切

Faithfulness / expressiveness / closeness.

Part 2: Accomplishments of Translators

1. Role of translator:

A. Communicator （沟通者）

The translator, as the expert communicator, is at the crucial center of a long chain of communication from original initiator to ultimate receiver of a message: a human link across a cultural frontier. （Schaffner) 译者作为沟通专家，处于信息始发者与信息接受者这个长长交际链的关键中心位置，是穿越文化疆界的人性连接纽带。

B. Negotiator（谈判者）

The translator is engaged in negotiating with the source text in order to determine its meaning, most of which is overt, although much is always covert. A translator must also negotiate with the language of the target audience in order to arrive at the closest natural equivalent.

译者是在与原文谈判与协商，以便确定其意义(意义虽大体上显而易见，但也有相当部分并非一眼就能看出）。译者还得与目标语谈判与协商，以便取得最自然的对等。

C. Mediator（斡旋者）

Most obviously, the translator has not only a bilingual ability but also a bi-cultural vision. Translators mediate between cultures (including ideologies, moral systems and socio-political structures), seeking to overcome those incompatibilities which stand in the way of transfer of meaning.

显而易见，译者不仅具备双语能力，而且具有跨文化视角。译者在不同文化（包括意识形态、道德体系和社会政治结构）之间进行斡旋，努力克服那些妨碍意义转移的诸多不相容的因素。

2. Basic requirements for translator:

1). The first and most obvious requirement of any translator is that he has a satisfactory knowledge of the source language. Rather, he must understand not only the obvious content of the message, but the subtleties of meaning, the significant values of words, and the stylistic features which determine the “flavor and feel” of the message.

2). Even more important is a complete control of the receptor language. Certainly the most numerous and serious errors made by translators arise primarily from their lack of thorough knowledge of the receptor language.

3). It is one thing to know a language in general and another to have a special knowledge of a particular subject. The translator must have a thorough acquaintance with the subject matter concerned.

4). Even if the translator possessed all the necessary technical knowledge, he is not really competent unless he has also a truly empathetic spirit (同感). The translator must have the gift of mimicry (模仿), the capacity to act the author’s part, impersonating his demeanor, speech, and ways, with the utmost verisimilitude(逼真).

Part 3: Linguistic Difference between English and Chinese 1. 英语重结构，汉语重语义:

Children will play with dolls equipped with personality chips, computers with inbuilt personalities will be regarded as workmates rather than tools, relaxation will be in front of smell television,