翻译理论-复习

翻译理论-复习1.Important Role of TranslationAs a means of communication,translation plays an important role in human civilization.A proper and skillful translation helps to promote mutual understanding between peoples of different cultural and social backgrounds, whereas a misunderstanding or improper rendering of words or expressions may lead to confusion even disasters.2.Definition of TranslationThe Oxford English Dictionary:to turn from one language into another (从一种语言转换成另一种语言)Webster’s third New International Dictionary of the English Language:to turn into one’s own or another language(转换成本族语或另一种语言) The general subject field or phenomenon.The product,the text that has been translated.The process of producing the translation,otherwise known as translating. 3.Nature of translationHow do you perceive translation?Some people believe it is a science,others take it as an art;and yet many consider it a craft,or rather,a skill.4.What is translation generally understood?Meetham&HudsonTranslation is the replacement of a representation of a text in one language by a representation of an equivalent text in a second language.(1972)BellTranslation is the expression in another language(or target language)of what has been expressed in another,source language, preserving semantic and stylisticequivalences.(1991)5.Scope of TranslationTranslation covers a very broad range.1）In terms of languages,it can be divided into two categories:from native languages into foreign languages and vice versa;2)In terms of language symbols it can be divided into[Roman Jakobson]intralingual translation（语内翻译）：an interpretation of verbal signs by means of other signs of the same language；[it occurs when we produce summary or otherwise rewrite a text in the same language,say a childern’s version of an encyclopedia.It occurs when we rephrase an expression in the same language.] interlingual translation（语际翻译）：an interpretation of verbal signs by means of some other language；[it occurs between two different verbal sign systems that has been the tranditional focus of translation studies.] intersemiotic translation(符际翻译)：an interpretation of verbal signs by means of signs of non-verbal sign systems.[it occurs when a written text is translated into a different mode,such as film or painting.]3)In terms of the mode,it can be divided into oral interpretation,written translation and machine translation;4)In terms of materials to be translated,there is translation of scientific materials, translation of literary works such as novels,stories,prose,poetry,drama,etc., translation of political essays such as treatises on social problems,reports,speeches, etc.,and translation of practical writing such as official documents,contracts and agreements,notices,receipts,etc.;6.History of TranslationIn the West,translation can be traced back to300BC,while inChina,recorded translation activities are even earlier,dating from the Zhou Dynasty(1100BC). However,not until recent centuries,especially by the end of the19th century did systematic study of translation get underway.In the past decades translation theories and activities have developed fast both at home and abroad.The Major Stages of Translation in China1、Translation of Buddhist Scriptures2、Beginning Stage3、Development Stage4、Climax Stage7.Principles/Criteria of TranslationThe so-called principles and criteria of translation are actually the two sides of the same thing.The former lays emphasis on the translator,who should follow these principles while translating;while the latter on the reader or critic,who may use the criteria to evaluate translation works.由于人们看待翻译的角度不同，自然有了不同的翻译标准概括起来，它们大体可分为以下四类：1.以译出语或译入语为取向的翻译原则the source-language-oriented or the target-language-orientedtranslation principle2.以作者和读者为取向的翻译原则the author-and-reader-oriented translation principle3.以美学为取向的翻译原则the aesthetic-oriented translation principle4.以社会符号学为取向的原则the sociosemiotic-oriented translation principle中国的翻译原则Whenever Principles/Criteria of Translation are under discussion in China,Yan Fu’s “three-character guide”,which was first proposed in1898,would be mentioned.1.Yan Fu’s“three character guide”:faithfulness,expressiveness,and elegance(信、达、雅).The“three character guide”is regarded as a plumb-line of long standing to measure the professional level of translating.2.Liu Zhongde:faithfulness,expressiveness and closeness(信、达、切);3.Fu Lei’s(傅雷)spiritual conformity/resemblance in spirit （神似)Emphasizing the reproduction of the spirit or the flavor of the original.强调原作神韵再现。