英语翻译理论与实践.doc

《英汉翻译理论与实践1》课程讲稿

黄山学院
外语系
课程讲稿

专业名称： 英语专业
课程名称：《英汉翻译理论与实践1》
主导教材：冯庆华，《实用翻译教程》
授课教师： 程汕姗

A Brief Introduction to Translation
◇Teaching Contents:
I. Discussion:
l What is translation?
l What is a successful translation?
l What difficulties might occur in translating process?
A. What is translation?
1. Key words:
source language(SL) / receptor language / target language(TL); reproduce; message / information; equivalence / correspondence
2. Nature of translation
Translation consists in reproducing in the receptor language the closest natural equivalent of the source language message, first in terms of meaning and secondly in terms of style. (Eugene A. Nida)
德国译学教授Wolfram Wilss 在The Science of Translation：Problems & Methods一书中说：Translation is not simply a matter of seeking other words with similar meaning, but of finding appropriate ways of saying things in another language. Translating is always meaning-based, i.e. it is the transfer of meaning instead of form from the source language to the target language.（翻译不只是在另一种语言中寻找意义相似的其他词语，而是寻找表达事物的适当方式。翻译始终立足于语义，也就是说，是语义从源语到译语的转换，而不是形式。）
这说明了翻译是语义的翻译，不是语言形式的翻译，是运用另一种语言的适当方式来表达一种语言所表达的内容，而不是在另一种语言中寻找与一种语言中含义相似的某些词语或结构。翻译必须跳出原文语言层面的束缚，必须着眼于传达原文的内容和意义。换句话说，翻译的基本单位应该是语篇，而不是词语结构。根据系统功能语言学家的观点，语言的实际使用单位是语篇这样的言语单位，而不是词语结构这样的语法单位。实际使用的语篇有可能是一个句子、一个句段、一个句群，也有可能是一个词语。翻译作为语言交际的一种形式，其实质是用一种语言的语篇材料代替另一种语言与其意义对等的语篇材料。翻译是运用一种语言把另一种语言所表达的内容和意义准确而完整地重新表达出来的语言活动。
3. Classification of translation:
a. Oral interpretation / written translation
b. Human translation / machine translation
c. Literary / scientific / political / commercial translation
d. Domestication (naturalization) / foreignization (estrangement, alienation)
e. Literal translation / free translation
B. What is a successful translation?
1. 严复：信、达、雅 (faithfulness, expressiveness, elegance)
2. 傅雷：以效果而论，翻译应当象临画一样，所求的不在形似而在神似
3. 钱钟书：诱、讹、化
4. Eugene A. Nida: natural / close; dynamic/functional equivalence
C. What difficulties might occur in translating process?
Language / Cultural Barriers
Translatability is lower when (1) the work to be translated is quite distant both in time and space; (2) its form is very much unique; (3) the content is not shared in the two cultures.
→ Betrayal: Loss / Distortion
1. Understanding
i. Word meaning
Example analysis
Millet made a portrait of Lady Chesterfield, which flattered her.
米勒为了逢迎柴斯特菲尔德夫人而替她画了一幅像。
（原文中的 flatter 意为 “ 超过 ”[to make better looking than the reality] ，将其译为 “ 逢迎 ” 是理解上的错误。）
米勒给柴斯特菲尔德夫人画了一幅像，该像之美简直超过了她本人。
ii. Sentence structure
Example analysis
The traditionalist type of composer begins with a pattern rather than with a theme. The creative act with Palestrina is not the thematic conception so much as the personal treatment of a well-established pattern.
【原译】传统主义型作曲家始于某种格调而非某种主题。帕莱斯特里纳的创作行为不太像对固定格调进行个性化处理的主题概念。
【改译】传统型作曲家是从形式出发而不是从主题出发进行创作的。帕莱斯特里纳的创作不是主题的构思，而是对固定形式的个性化处理。
iii. Background knowledge
Example analysis
Then he was off to Columbia Business School , where he found his Rosetta Stone of investing. (Roger Lowenstein: An Unassuming Billionaire )
Rosetta Stone 是古埃及石，意为 “ 提供线索 ” ，这儿喻指 “ 帮助了解难题的事物 ” 。
后来他进了哥伦比亚商学院，在那里找到了自己的投资指南。
2. Expressing
i. Literal translation Vs. liberal translation
Literal translation takes sentences as its basic units and the whole text into consideration at the same time in the course of translation. It strives to reproduce both the ideological content and the style of the entire literary work and retain as much as possible the figures of speech.
Liberal Translation mainly convey the meaning and spirit of the original without trying to reproduce its sentence pattern or figures of speech.
Example analysis
To kill two birds with one stone.
直译：一石二鸟
意译：一箭双雕，一举两得
树倒猢狲散
直译：When the tree falls, the monkeys scatter.
意译：Members run away when the family falls. / Rats leave a sinking ship.
ii. Free translation
Example analysis
This was one of the secrets of his great popularity, but it was a popularity which was as unsettled as the waves. It swelled, and bubbled, and foamed for a while, only to recede, and be lost to its former possessor.
【原译】这是他名噪一时的一个秘密，但这种名声如同波涛一样起伏不定：在短暂的时间内如日中天，盛极一时，炙手可热，但转瞬间又烟消云散，终于在原来有些声望的人身上消失了。
【改译】这是他名噪一时的一个秘密，但这种名声如同波涛一样起伏不定：一时间奔腾高涨，汹涌澎拜，转瞬间又一落千丈，终于在原来享有这种声望的人身上荡然无存。
iii. Translationese
Example analysis
The only concession he made to the climate was to wear a white dinner jacket.
【原译】他对气候的唯一让步就是穿了一件白色的短餐衣。
【改译】气候变化，他仅稍稍作了一点变通，赴宴时穿了件白色的短礼服。
iv. Cohesion and coherence
Example analysis
There was a menu , but it didn’t make any difference , everything tasted the same. Monumental portion. You’d stand up at the end and want to die.
(M. Lurie , A Beacon in the Night)
【原译】那儿有菜单，可没什么区别。所有东西味道都一样。份量惊人，你最后会站起来想死。
【改译】那儿是有菜单，可完全派不上用场，因为所有东西味道都一样。只是份量惊人，你吃完后一站起身来就会感觉胀得要死。
D. How can we improve our translation?
1. English reading
2. Chinese writing
3. Translation practice

II. The Role of Translator:
The craft of translator is … deeply ambivalent; it is exercised in a radical tension between impulses to facsimile and impulses to appropriate recreation.
— George Steiner
译者的技艺是一个深刻的矛盾体。这种技艺是在两种冲动的极度张力之间形成的：一方面是依样画葫芦的冲动，另一方面又有适当再创作的冲动。
A. Metaphors for translator:
1. A courier of the human spirits （普希金）
2. A sculptor who tries to recreate a work of painting
3. A straitjacketed dancer
4. A musician / an actor
5. Traduttori-traditori (Translators are traitors.)
B. Responsibility of translator:
1. Competent linguistic ability & bicultural knowledge
2. Being as transparent as possible
3. Being a good negotiator

III. The Development of Translation in China:
翻译史上的三个高峰期：
1. 汉至唐宋佛经的转译：支谦；鸠摩罗什；道安；玄奘
2. 明清以后西欧科技文化的引进：徐光启；严复；林纾；（译才并世数严林－康有为）
3. 五四之后的现代阶段：郭沫若；鲁迅；瞿秋白；傅雷；钱钟书

Contrast between English and Chinese (1)
◇Teaching Contents:
I. Thinking Style and Diction
A. Abstract vs. Concrete
An excessive reliance on the noun at the expense of verb will, in the end, detach the mind of the writer from the realities of here and now, from when and how and in what mood the thing was done, and insensibly induce a habit of abstraction, generalization and vagueness.
─G. M. Young
1. Embodiment
e.g. The signs of the times point to the necessity of the modification of the system of administration.（Times）
It is becoming clear that the administrative system must be modified.
行政系统需要改革，这一点已经越来越清楚了。
e.g. There seems to have been an absence of attempt at conciliation between rival
sects. (Daily Telegraph)
The rival sects seem never even to have tried mutual conciliation.
对立的派别似乎从未试图谋求和解。
2. Visualization
e.g. utterly quiet鸦雀无声
e.g. In 1966 the North Korean team made it to the quarter finals.
译：1966年，北朝鲜队成功地踢进了四分之一决赛。
perfect harmony
水乳交融
careful consideration
深思熟虑
total exhaustion
精疲力竭
impudence
厚颜无耻
ardent loyalty
赤胆忠心
feed on fancies
画饼充饥
offend public decency
伤风败俗
make a little construction
添砖加瓦
await with great anxiety
望穿秋水
disintegration
土崩瓦解
lack of perseverance
三天打鱼，两天晒网

B. Static（静）vs. Dynamic（动）
Examples:
1) 名词化（Nominalization）
Comparison:
a) The doctor arrived extremely quickly and examined the patient uncommonly carefully; the result was that he recovered very speedily.
The doctor’s extremely quick arrival and uncommonly careful examination of the patient brought about his speedy recovery.
医生迅速赶到，并非常仔细地检查了病人，因此病人很快就康复了。
b) Freedom-loving people everywhere condemned them because they violated the agreement reached at Helsinki and abused basic human rights in their own country.
The abuse of basic human rights in their own country in violation of the agreement reached at Helsinki earned them the condemnation of freedom-loving people everywhere.
他们违反在赫尔辛基达成的协议，在国内践踏基本人权，因此受到各地热爱自由的人们的谴责。
e.g. He was a clever man; a pleasant companion; a careless student; with a great propensity for running into debt, and a partiality for the tavern.
他头脑灵活，讨人喜欢/很好相处，可是学习不用功；他老是东挪西借，又喜欢上酒馆喝点小酒。
2) 介词充斥(prepositionitis)
e.g. He has someone behind him.
Someone supports him.
e.g. With these words she went away.
After saying these, she went away.
e.g. He is at his books.
He is reading his books.

II. Thinking Style and Syntax
A. 形合与意合 (Hypotactic vs. Paratactic)
形合（Hypotactic）
句中的词语或分句之间用语言形式手段连接起来，表达语法意义和逻辑关系。
The dependent or subordinate construction or relationship of clauses with connectives. (The American Heritage Dictionary)
e.g. I shall despair if you don’t come.
意合 （Paratactic）
词语或分句之间不用语言形式手段连接，句中的语法意义和逻辑关系通过词语或分句的含义表达。
The arranging of clauses one after the other without connectives showing the relation between them. (The World Book Dictionary)
e.g.大雨倾盆，河水泛滥，冲毁了很多民房。
英语造句多用各种形式手段连接，注重显性接应（overt cohesion），重形式，重结构。相对汉语而言其连接手段和形式不仅数量大，种类多，而且使用频率极高。
e.g.The present onslaught of vehicles poses a serious threat to urban life and pedestrian peace of mind.
现如今车辆横冲直撞，严重威胁着城市生活，路上行人无不提心吊胆。
B. Impersonal vs. Personal
It has been noted with concern that the stock of books in the library has been declining alarmingly. Students are asked to remind themselves of the rules for the borrowing and return of books, and bear in mind the needs of other students. Penalties for overdue books will in the future be strictly enforced.
近来已注意到本馆存书惊人地减少，此事令人关切。现要求学生切记图书借还规则，并考虑其他学生的需要。今后凡借书逾期不还者，必将严格按章处罚。
1. Inanimate noun (无灵名词) as subject
e.g. Excitement deprived me of all power of utterance.
我激动得什么话也说不出。
e.g. The thick carpet killed the sound of my footsteps.
我走在厚厚的地毯上，一点声响都没有。
2. Preparatory word: it
e.g. It hurts! (“it”: unspecified word 虚义词) ——好疼！
e.g. It never occurred to me that she was so dishonest.
我从未想到她会这么不老实。
3. Passive voice (hidden agent/doer)
e.g. The resistance can be determined provided that the voltage and current are known.
只要知道电压和电流，就能确定电阻。
C. Subject-Prominent（主语句）vs. Topic-Prominent（主题句）
Examples:
1) She showered us with telegrams.
译：她的电报纷至沓来。
2) There was something original, independent, and heroic about the plan that pleased all of them.
译：这个方案富于创造性，独出心裁，很有魄力，所以他们都很满意。
3) Bright colors and bold strokes characterize his early painting.
译：他的早期绘画色彩明亮、笔触大胆。

Contrast between English and Chinese (2)
◇Teaching Contents:
I. Comment on the homework

II. Lexical Differences
英汉词类系统比较
英语
汉语

词类名称

作用

词类名称

作用
Nouns
表示人或事物名称
名词
表示人或事物名称
Verbs
表示动作或状态
动词
表示动作、行为、发展变化
Adjectives
表示人或事物的性质与特性
形容词
表示人或事物的性质状态
Adverbs
用来修饰动词、形容词
表示动作状态的特征或程度
副词
用来修饰限制动词、形容词、表示程度、时间、频率
Pronoun
代替名词、数词
代词
代替一切实词或表指代作用
Prepositions
用在名、代词后面组成介词短语，说明它与别的词之间的关系
介词
用在名、代词之后，组成介词结构，表示处所、时间、方向、方式等
Conjunctions
连接词、短语或句子
连词
连接词、词组或句子
Interjections
表示说话的感情或语气
感叹词
表示感叹或呼唤应答的词
Articles

用在名词前面，帮助说明名词的含义

冠词

（汉语无冠词）

语气词
表示各种语气

量词
表示事物和动作的单位

A. Word order
1. Attributive modifiers
英语句中单词一般放在被修饰词的前面，短语和从句一般放在被修饰词的后面。汉语定语不管单词或词组一般都放在被修饰语的前面。
Examples:
1) something important 重要的事
2) the ancient Chinese poet中国古代诗人
3) a little, yellow, ragged, lame, unshaven beggar一个身材瘦小的叫化子，面黄肌瘦，衣衫褴褛，胡子拉渣的，还瘸着腿
4) a candidate with little chance of success 一个当选希望极微的候选人
2. Adverbial modifiers
英语状语可前可后。汉语状语一般放在被修饰的动词或形容词前面。
Examples:
1) to develop rapidly迅速发展；extremely fast快极了/ 极快
2) With a bag of books we walked across the garden in the gray light of the dawn. 我们提着一袋书，在晨曦中穿过了花园。
3) He was quick to use self-deprecating humor to throw anyone off the scent.
为了迷惑别人，他机灵地说些自我挖苦的笑话。
4) He was born in Rome on May 27, 1980.
他是1980年5月27日在罗马出生的。/ 他于1980年5月27日出生于罗马。

III. Syntactic Differences
A. Transformation of sentence structure
1. Simple Sentence →Complex Sentence
e.g. His superior grades at high school enabled him to enroll at the tuition-free College of the City of New York.
由于在中学成绩优异，他进入了免费的纽约市立大学。
2. Complex Sentence →Simple Sentence
e.g. That he will come to the discussion is certain. 他肯定会来参加讨论的。
e.g. He doesn’t know what life means to him. 他不知道人生的意义。
3. Complex Sentence →Complex Sentence
e.g. Our men had gone quite a distance off before the enemy reinforcement troops came up. 我们的队伍已经走得很远了，敌人的增援部队才赶上来。
e.g. This place is really beautiful, and many people bring their wives and families out here to live. 这地方实在漂亮，（所以）许多人都带着家小搬来居住。
4. Inverted Order →Natural Order
e.g. Little did I then know the meaning of war and what it was in reality.
当时我确实还不太懂得战争的意义以及战争实际上是怎么回事。
5. Passive Voice →Active Voice
e.g. He is respected by everybody. 人人都尊敬他。
e.g. I was told not to trust what I read in the newspaper. 有人告诉我不要相信报纸上读到的消息。
B. Sentence order
1. Time order
e.g. He had flown in just the day before from Georgia where he had spent his vacation basking in the Caucasian sun after the completion of the construction job he had been engaged in in the South.
译：他本来在南部从事一项建筑工程；任务完成之后，他就上格鲁吉亚去度假，享受高加索的阳光，昨天才坐飞机回来。
2. Logic order
a. Cause-result order
e.g. He had to stay at home yesterday owing to the bad weather.
b. Condition –result order
e.g. She will play the piano only if she is paid. 只有付给她报酬，她才愿意演奏钢琴。

=

Understanding Source Text
◇Teaching Contents:
I. Comment on the homework
II. The three levels of meaning
美国语言教学家Wilga M. Rivers 说过理解中要掌握三个层次的意义，即词语意义、语法或结构意义以及社会和文化意义（the three levels of meaning: lexical meaning, structural or grammatical meaning, and social-cultural meaning）。
Examples:
1 So that's how I became just another kid in school.
就这样，我成了学校里一名和其他孩子一样的普通孩子。
2 At first, they were being nice.
起初人们只是出于一时的好心。
3 John Major faces severe social and economic problems as well as tough debate over European integration, but his top priority will be to maintain the Tories' long lease on 10 Downing Street.
梅杰面临严重的社会和经济问题以及关于欧洲统一的艰苦辩论，但是他的当务之急将是维系保守党的长期执政。
III、 Approaches to correct understanding
1. 要理解原文语句的内部关系：
Examples:
Go to hell! You report what I have done to the authorities.
去你的吧！你去向领导汇报我对他们的不敬吧！
【译文】去你的吧！你去向领导汇报我的所作所为好啦！
He ate his savoury, and hurried the maid as she swept the crumbs.
他一边吃着最后的一道消食小吃，一边催促女佣人赶快打扫碎屑。
【译文】他吃完最后的一道消食小吃，在女佣人打扫碎屑时，催她快一点。
2. 要理解特殊语言现象的特殊含义：
John is now with his parents in New York; it is three years since he was a high school teacher in Washington.
【译文】约翰现在同父母一起住在纽约；他不在华盛顿当中学教师已有三年了。
Derek fancies himself as a ladies' man, but he spends too much time admiring himself in the mirror for my liking.
德里克自以为是讨女人喜欢的人，可是为了讨我喜欢，他却花很多时间在镜子面前自我欣赏。
【译文】德里克自以为是个讨女人喜欢的人，可是我不喜欢他花那么多的时间在镜子面前自我欣赏。
3. 要结合上下文语境进行理解：
The tyrants might array their cruelty, but the people would oppose their bravery.
【译文】暴君恣意肆虐，人民则奋勇反抗。
Managers face a host of new business realities, such as changing patterns of employment that include an explosion of outsourcing and new alliances.
管理人员面对的是商界前所未有的种种现实，诸如就业的模