笔译理论复习资料

笔译理论课参考资料

I. Write definitions of the following terms.

1. Accuracy (准确) –A term used in translation evaluation to refer to the extent to which a translation matches its original.

2. Adaptation (改编) – A term traditionally used to refer to any target text in which a particularly free translation strategy has been adopted. The term usually implies that considerable changes have been made in order to make the text more suitable for a specific audience or for the particular purpose behind the translation.

3. Agent (经纪人) –A term used to refer to the person who is “in an intermediary position between a translator and an end user of a translation”.

4. Autotranslation (自译) – A term used to refer to the translation of an original work into another language by the author him-/her/self.

5. Back-translation (回译) – A term used to refer to a process in which a text which has been translated into a given language is retranslated into the source text.

6. Calque (仿造；借译) –A term used to denote the process whereby the individual elements of an source language item are translated literally to produce a target language equivalent.

7. Close translation (贴近翻译) –A term used to refer to translation strategies which favor exact correspondence between the source language and target la nguage linguistic units over an emphasis on conveying the overall meaning or spirit of the source text.

8. Commission (委托) – A termed used to refer to the specifications which the translator works with when producing a target text.

9. Communicative translation (交际翻译；传意翻译) –a term used to refer to any approach which views translation as a “communicative process which takes place within a social context”.

10. Correspondence (对应) –A term used to refer to the relationship which exists between elements of source language and target language in some way considered to be counterparts of each other.

11. Cultural borrowing (文化借用) –A term used to describe the type of cultural transposition in which an source language expression is transferred verbatim into the target language because it is not possible to translate it by a suitable target language equivalent.

12. Cultural substitution (文化替换) –A term used to refer to the use of a real world referent from the receptor culture for an unknown referent of the original, both of the referents having the same function.

13. Direct translation (直接翻译) –a term used to refer to the type of translation procedure in which a TT is produced directly from the original ST, rather than via another, intermediate translation in another language.

14. Documentary translation (文献型翻译) –A term used to refer to the translation which serves as “a document of [a source culture] communication between the author and the source text recipient”. Thus in this type of translation the target text recipient becomes a mere observer of a “past communicative action”, as the source text (or possibly only certain aspects of the source text) is reproduced without any attempt to make adjustments in the light of the target contexts. WORD-FOR-WORD and other types of LITERARL translation, as well as “exoticising translation’, which tries to preserve the “local color”of the source text, are all examples of documentary translation; what all such types of translation have in common is that they focus on certain aspects or features of the source text, while ignoring others.

15. Domesticating translation (归化翻译；归化) – A term used to describe the translation strategy in which a transparent, fluent style is adopted in order to minimize the strangeness of the foreign text for the target language readers.

16. Dynamic equivalence (动态对等）– A term used to refer to the quality of translation which characterizes a translation in which the message of the original text has been so transported into the receptor language that the response of the receptor is essentially like that of the original receptors.

17. Equivalence (对等）–A term used to describe the nature and the extent of the relationships which exist between source language and target language texts or smaller linguistic units.

18. Faithfulness (忠实) –A term used to refer to the extent to which a target text can be considered a fair correspondence of source text according to some criterion.

19. Fidelity (忠实）–A term used to refer to the extent to which a target text can be considered a fair correspondence of source text according to some criterion.

20. Foreignizing translation (异化翻译；异化) – A term used to refer to the type of translation in which a target text is produced which deliberately breaks target conventions by retaining something of the foreignness of the original.

21. Formal equivalence (形式对等) – A term used to refer to the quality of a

translation in which the features of the form of the source text have been mechanically reproduced in the receptor language.

22. Free translation (意译）– A term used to refer to sense-for-sense translation.

23. Gist translation (要旨翻译) –A term used to refer to a style of translation in which the target text expresses a condensed version of the contents of the source text.

24. Idiomatic translation (地道翻译) –A term used to refer to a translation strategy which aims for a target text which reads as naturally as possible.

25. Indirect translation (间接翻译；中介翻译；中继翻译；转译) – a term used to refer to the procedure whereby a text is not translated directly from an original text, but via an intermediate translation in another language.

26. Instrumental translation (工具型翻译) –A term used to refer to the translation which is intended to fulfill a new communicative purpose in the target culture “without the recipient being conscious of reading or hearing a text which, in a different form, was used before in a different communicative action”. As such it is “a communicative instrument in its own right” rather than merely a documentary record of the source text author’s action of communication with the source culture recipients.

27. Interlinear translation (逐行翻译）–A type of extremely literal translation in which target language words are arranged line by line below or above the source text items to which they correspond.

28. Interlingual translation (语际翻译) –A term used to refer to an interpretation of verbal signs by means of some other languages.

29. Intersemiotic translation (符际翻译）– A term used to refer to an interpretation of verbal signs by means of nonverbal sign systems.

30. Intralingual translation (语内翻译) –A term used to refer to an interpretation of verbal signs by means of other signs of the same language.

31. Literal translation (直译）– A term used to refer to word-for-word translation.

32. Naturalness (通顺；自然) – A term used to refer to the extent to which a translation is expressed in clear, unforced terms in the target language.

33. Original language (原语）-- A term used to refer to the language in which the source text is written.

34. Pseudotranslation (伪译) – A term used to refer to target texts which are regarded

in the target culture as translations though no genuine source texts exist for them. 35. Receptor language (译语；译入语) –A term used to refer to the language into which a message is translated from the original language.

36. Skopos theory (目的论）–A term used to refer to an approach to translation. Skopos theory stresses the interactional, pragmatic aspects of translation, arguing that the shape of the target text should above all be determined by the function or “skopos” that it is intended to fulfill in the target context.

37. Source language (原语) – A term used to refer to the language in which the source text is written.

38. Source text (原文本）– A term used to refer to the text to be translated.

39. Target language (目的语；的语；译语；译入语) –A term used to refer to the language which is being translated into.

40. Target text （译本）– A term used to refer to the text to be translated into.

41. Translatability (可译性) – A term used to discuss the extent to which it is possible to translate either individual words and phrases or entire texts from one language to another.

42. Translation as rewriting (翻译即改写) –A term used to refer to the translation which reinterpret, alter or manipulate an original text in some way.

43. Translation Studies (翻译研究) –A term used to describe the discipline which concerns itself with problems raised by the production and description of translations.

44. Translationese (翻译体)– A term used to refer to the target language usage which because of its obvious reliance on features of the source language is perceived as unnatural, impenetrable or even comical.

45. Unit of translation (翻译单位)–A term used to refer to the linguistic level at which the source text is recodified in the target language.

II. Answer the following questions briefly.

1. What is the nature of translation?

Translation is an intentional, interpersonal, intercultural interaction based on the source text.

2. Why is translation regarded as a means of intercultural communication?

In the translation action, two different cultures are involved –the source culture

and the target culture. There are similarities and differences between these cultures. Actually translation should be done so as to bridge the gap between these two cultures.

3. What is skopos?

Skopos is a Greek word for “purpose”. According to Skopostheorie ( the theory that applies the notion of Skopos to translation), the prime principle determining any translation process is the purpose or Skopos of the overall translation action. Hence, skopos is the determining factor of any translation action.

4. What a role does skopos play in translation?

5. Why is translation regarded as a purposeful interaction?

Translation as an interaction is purposeful. It is intended to change a situation, for instance to bridge the gap between the source text and the target readers.

6. Why is translation a commission?

Translation is an purposeful interaction. It is intended to change a situation. Hence, translation can be regarded as an action to fulfill a commission. In some cases, the commission is explicitly expressed; but in some other cases, it is just implied. Nevertheless, translation is a commission. It should be done on the basis of the commission stating firstly the purpose of the target text and secondly the conditions under which this purpose should be achieved.

7. What is source-oriented evaluation of translation?

It is a kind of evaluation of the translation concerning whether the translation is faithful to the source text or not.

8. What is target language/culture-oriented of translation?

It means that the translation is oriented toward the target language/culture. That is, the translation is done with regard to the appropriateness of the target text in the target language/culture.

9. What is function-oriented evaluation of translation?

It means that the evaluation of a specific translation is based on the function the target text does in the target culture.

10. Who are the participants of translation?

There are various participants in translation. The main participants are the initiator, the translator, the target reader, the source text writer, the user and so on.

11. What roles do the participants play in translation?

There are various participants in translation. The main participants are the initiator, the translator, the target reader, the source text writer, the user and so on. In the translation action, such participants are functional. In the translation action, these participants are interactive. Some may affect and/or be affected by others. And o ne of them may play the leading role.

12. What a role does the initiator/commissioner play in translation?

The initiator/commissioner is the organizer of a specific translation activity. He/She does play a dominant role in translation.

13. What a role doe the translator play in translation?

A translator plays a certain role in translation. In some cases, he/she is invisible; and in some other cases, he/she is visible. It depends on the specific conditions which are determined by the translation purpose.

14. What a role does the user play in translation?

The user is one of the participants in translation. He/She does play a certain role in translation. In certain cases, he/she is also the initiator/commissioner of the translation. And he/she even play the leading role in translation. It depends on the purpose of the specific translation.

15. What a role doe the target reader play in translation?

The target reader is one of the participants of translation. He/She plays a certain role in translation. If the translation is function-oriented and/or target-language/-culture oriented, he/she will play a very important role and even the leading role in translation. If the translation is source-oriented, he/she may even play no any role in the translation.

16. Why is translation regarded as a decision-making activity?

Translation is regarded as decision-making activity because it is a seen as a choice which needs to be taken between a number of possible solutions to a given problem encountered while translating a text, and which will influence subsequent choices by opening up or closing off other options dependent on the initial selection made.

17. What is the relationship between language and culture in translation?

Translation is an interlingual and intercultural interaction. The source language and culture and the target language and culture are involved in translation. Hence translation is not merely an interlingual interaction. Language and culture are closed related with each other.

18. Why is translation an intercultural interaction?

Translation is an intercultural interaction because both the source and target cultures are involved in translation. And there are many differences between these two cultures in many cases. Hence translation as an intercultural interaction should be done to bridge the gap between the two cultures.

19. What a role does the source text play in translation?

The source text is the basis of translation. It does play a very important role in translation. Nevertheless, it is not always the foremost and only basis of translation. It depends on the specific translation purpose.

20. What a role may the source culture play in translation?

The source culture plays a role in translation. In certain cases, it even plays an important role. It depends on the purpose of translation. If it is source-oriented, the source culture may even play a dominant role. If the translation is target-language/culture oriented, the source culture may be less important than the target culture in translation.

21. What a role may the target language play in translation?

The target language does play a role in translation. And in certain cases, it even plays the dominant role if the translation is target language oriented. It depends on the purpose of translation.

22. What is the relationship between the source text and target text?

The target text is translated into on the basis of the source text. And in many cases there are correspondence between them.

III. Answer each of the following questions with about 150 English words.

1. What is the relationship between translation action and translation theories?

Translation action and translation theories are related with each other. On the one hand, the translation theories come from translation actions. On the other hand, translation theories may be helpful for the translation action. (略)

2. What a role may the translation theories play in translator training?

The translation theories may be helpful in the translator training. They may be helpful in guiding the trainees’perspectives on translation. Nevertheless, we should see that not all translation theories are suitable in translator training. And translation theories cannot guarantee one to become a qualified translator if he/she do insufficient translation activities. (略)

3. What a role does translation play in our society?

Translation plays a very important role in our society. Actually it is a driving force of our society. Thanks to translation, there are international cooperation and exchanges and development of our society. (略)

4. How can the translator know the specific purpose of translation?

The translator should try to make sure the specific task of translation concerning with the reason of the translation, the requirements of the initiator and the expectation of the target readers and so on. (略)

5. In what condition(s) should the translator be source-oriented in his/her translation?

In cases when the source text is the foremost and even only basis of the translation. (略)

6. Is there always an absolute correspondence between the source text and the target text?

No. It depends on the specific situation and purpose of translation. If the translation is source-oriented, there will be close and even absolute correspondence between the source text and the target text. If not, there may not be such correspondence, and even no correspondence between them. (略)

7. What is the relationship between the source text writer, the translator and target reader?

There exist relationship between them. Nevertheless, the relationship is not clear. It depends on the specific translation activity. (略)

8. Show your understanding of the term “bi-culturalism” in translation.

Bi-culturalism is concerned with in translation studies. According to the scholars, a qualified translator should know both the original and target cultures well. Ideally, he/she should be a bi-culturalist. Otherwise, there may be problems in his/her translation. And his/her translation may not be successful. (略)

9. How can one become a bi-culturalist?

One can become a bi-culturalist by trying two understand the two cultures well. What is most important is that he/she should first of all have a good perspective of the two cultures concerned. That is, he/she should be open-minded and be just in viewing the two cultures. And then, he/she should try two gain the two cultures. Especially he/she should know and be aware of the gaps between the two cultures and know how to bridge the gaps. (略)

10.What is the difference between domesticating translation strategy and foreignizing

translation strategy?

They are two different translation strategies. Domesticating translation strategy is adopted to make a transparent and fluent style in order to minimize the strangeness of the foreign text for the target language readers. With foreignizing translation strategy, the target text is produced which deliberately breaks target conventions by retaining something of the foreignness of the original.

11. In what condition(s) may the domesticating translation strategy be applied

improperly?

If the translation is source-oriented. Specifically, if the original linguistic/cultural features needed to be kept. (略)

12. How important is the foreignizing translation strategy?

It may be helpful to make the readers feel the “strangeness”of the source language/culture. It may also helpful to reform the target language/culture. (略)

13.In what condition(s) should the foreignizing translation strategy be dominating in

translation?

In certain cases, the foreignizing translation strategy may be dominantly applied in translation if the translation is intended to keep the “strangeness”of the original linguistic and cultural features. (略)

14. How can a college student become a qualified translator?

In order to be a qualified translator, a college student should try to be well prepared for translation actions. Basically, he/she should meet the following requirements:

First, he/she should be good at both the foreign language and Chinese. Second, he/she should know the background information/knowledge as much as possible. Third, he/she should work hard. Fourth, he/she should have a proper understanding of translation. Fifth, he/she should be law-abiding. Sixth, he/she should be skillful of IT. (略)

15. What roles does INTERNET play in translation?

Internet plays a very important role in translation. Today we live in an e-era. That is, the paper-era is being replaced. In such an e-era, IT is indispensable. Without the information technologies including internet, we cannot imagine how inefficient our translation would be. Specifically, with internet, we can easily search the information we need, we can make use of the email and other forms to communicate with those involved in the translation action efficiently. (略)

16. What a role may the translation software play in translation?

The translation software is useful in translation. In practice, it is increasingly used. It is particularly useful in translation actions of those non-literary texts, for instance, contract, resume, introductions and so on. It is more efficient to use such software. (略)

17. What is the difference between formal equivalence and dynamic equivalence?

Formal equivalence is a term used to refer to the quality of a translation in which the features of the form of the source text have been mechanically reproduced in the receptor language. Dynamic equivalence is a term used to refer to the quality of translation which characterizes a translation in which the message of the original text has been so transported into the receptor language that the response of the receptor is

essentially like that of the original receptors. (略)

18. Why is there Chinglish?

There are different causes to Chinglish. First, the translator is not good at English. Second, he/she may not know the English culture well. Third, he/she is not aware of the specific translation purpose. Fourth, he/she may not have a good understanding of the nature of translation. (略)

IV. Comment on one of the following statements with about 100 English words.

1. Those who can translate do translation; those who cannot translate teach the translation course; and those who cannot teach translation do researches on translation.

Such a statement shows a prejudice against those who teach translation and those who do researches on translation. According to such a statement, a translator can not be trained and the translation theories are useless for translators and those who want to be translators. Such a statement is wrong. Actually a translator can be trained. And translation theories in certain cases are helpful for translation actions and translator training. (略)

2. Anyone who is good at both the source language and the target language can be a qualified translator.

Such a statement is not appropriate. It is true that a qualified translator should be good at both the source and target languages. However, it is not enough for a person to be a qualified translator. There are more requirements on him/her. He/She should know the background information as much as possible. He/She should work hard. He/She should try to be a bi-culturalist. He/She should have a proper understanding of translation. He/She should have a good habit of translation. (略)

3.Our English majors are better than the non-majors in translating, for our English is

better than theirs.

This statement is wrong. Translation is not merely an interlingual activity. For instance, the background information does play an important role in translation. In may cases, the non-majors may be better than our English majors in understanding and even in expressing the text concerning with one specific field. (略)

4. A translator should always be invisible in translation.

The translator is not always invisible. A translator plays a certain role in translation. In some cases, he/she is invisible; and in some other cases, he/she is visible. It depends on the specific conditions which are determined by the translation purpose. (略)

5. One should always be faithful to the source text in his/her translation, for the source text is always the foremost and only important basis of translation.

The statement is very traditional. Many traditional translators and scholars of translation hold such an opinion because they believe translation is a transfer of the

original meaning in another language. However, such an understanding may not be appropriate in certain cases. It doesn’t disclose the nature of translation. Actually translation is an intentional, interpersonal, intercultural interaction based on the original text. That is, even though it is the basis of translation, the original text may not always be the foremost and only basis of translation. It depends. In certain cases, it may not be the foremost and only basis of translation. And it may not be necessary for a translator to be faithful to the original text all the time.（略）

6. The meaning of the source text is always fixed. In other words, its meaning is unchangeable. Hence there can only be one qualified translation for one source text.

Such a statement is not always right. In certain cases, the meaning of the source text is changeable. Even though the meaning of the source text is fixed, the translation action may be done for specific purposes which may require the translated version may be somehow different from the original in meaning. Hence we cannot say there is only one qualified translation for one source text. It depends. ( 略)

7. No matter in what cases, the translator should always follow the initiator in his/her translation. That is, the translator can never say NO to the initiator.

This statement is wrong. It is true that the initiator plays a very important role in translation. Nevertheless, the translator is not always passive and invisible in translation. He/she is active in translation. In certain cases, he/she may discuss and even argue with the initiator. And he/she even has the right to say NO to the initiator. (略)

8. One needn’t take into consideration of the target readers’response in his/her translation, for in many cases, he/she doesn’t know who the target readers are.

The statement is wrong. The target readers as one of the participants in translation do play a certain role in translation. And in certain cases, they even play the leading role in translation. It depends on the purpose of the translation. For instance, if the translation is function-oriented, the target readers play an important role in the translation. (略)

9. Foreignizing translation may make some target texts strange in expressions, so we should try to avoid it in translation.

This statement is not appropriate. Foreignizing as a translation strategy is different from domesticating. Both of them are applied in translation. It depends on the translation purposes. In certain cases domesticating is welcomed and in some other cases foreignizing is welcomed. Even though foreignizing translation may make some target texts strange in expressions, it is functional because it has the advantages including keeping the form of the original language and the “strangeness”of the original culture and shaping the target language and culture. (略)

10. We should always follow the domesticating translation strategy in our translation.

This statement is not appropriate. Domesticating translation strategy and

foreignizing translation strategy are two rather different strategies in translation. In certain cases, domesticating translation strategy may be used and in turn foriegnizing translation strategy may be abandoned. In some other cases, domesticating translation strategy may play a more important role in one translation. However, in some other cases, foreignizing translation strategy may be welcomed in certain translation activities. It depends on the purposes and situations of translation. (略)

11. The translation techniques and skills derived from literary translation can be fully applied to non-literary translation.

The statement is wrong. Translation is diversified. Specific translational activities may be different from one another. The evaluation of translation is rather different from one another. Translational purposes may be rather diversified. Hence the techniques and skills derived from literary translation can/cannot be used in other translational activities which are different from literary translation. (略)