1、2.3 Techniques Used in E-C Word TranslationEnglish and Chinese differ from each other greatly. What is perfectly natural in English may turn out to be awkward if directly translated into Chinese. Thus, this chapter will focus on techniques which help the translator make proper adjustment in translat

2、ing words. Well learn techniques used in E-C word translation first, and with an understanding of the basic terms, well learn techniques used in C-E translation more easily. ConversionBy conversion we mean that in translation practice, a word in the source language belonging to a certain part of spe

3、ech is not necessarily turned into the same part of speech in the target langue. A word has often to be converted into a different part of speech so as to conform to the usage of target language. Conversion is one of the important techniques and is needed primarily by the differences in syntactic st

4、ructure and idiomatic ways of expression in the two languages. Conversion occurs on many occasions. The most commonly seen are as follows.Conversion into Verbs各種語言都有靜態和動態的表述方法，區別在于靜態或動態表述方法在某種語言中使 用的頻率不同。英語中名詞的使用頻率要高于動詞，這使英語句子常常表現為靜態。英語廣 泛使用名詞便帶來了介詞的頻繁出現，這是英語側重靜態的又一原因。同時英語還通過派生 等手段，用非動詞的形式和名詞外的其他詞類表

5、示動作意義，這些表達方式使英語的靜態特 點更為突出。漢語動詞沒有形態上的變化，也不存在主謂一致的問題，動詞的使用很靈活 動詞的使用頻率也很高，與英語比較而言，體現出的特點是漢語表述以動態為主，所以英譯 漢時英語的名詞、介詞往往轉換為漢語的動詞，有時形容詞和副詞也可轉換為漢語動詞。From Nouns to VerbsHis drawings of children are exceptionally good. 他畫孩子畫地特別好。He declared his countrys firm support for the African peoples resistance to foreig

6、n aggressor troops. 他宣布他的國家堅決支持非洲人民抵抗外國侵略軍。Some of my classmates are good singers. (Zhou Jielun is a good singer.) 我的一些 同學唱歌唱的很好。(周杰侖是個很好的歌手。)(4) I took it for granted that mothers were the sandwich-makers, the finger-painting appreciators and the homework monitors 我覺得母親給孩子做三明治，欣賞他們的指畫，檢查家庭作 業，都是理所當

7、然的事。The nouns in English that are derived from verbs or that express certain actions can be converted into Chinese verbs, such as sentences (1) and (2). And some nouns with the suffix -er can be converted into verbs when they are not used to show the profession but are used to express action, such a

8、s sentences (3) and (4) .From Prepositions to VerbsPrepositions are frequently used in English, and many of them actually express the meaning of certain actions, which are converted into Chinese verbs to make the translation smooth.(5) Are you for or against the proposal? 你贊成還是反對這一提議？Coming! Away sh

9、e skimmed over the lawn, up the path, up the steps, across the veranda, and into the porch. “來啦！”她飛快地穿過草地，跑上小徑，跨上臺階，穿過涼臺，進了門廊。From Adjectives to VerbsSome adjectives in English which are used after link verbs express feelings, or desires. When translated into Chinese, they are very often converted i

10、nto verbs. Such adjectives include grateful , afraid , eager , anxious , careful , ignorant , aware and so on.Please let us know if our terms are acceptable. 請告知是否接受我方條款。A socially mature person gets along well with all types of people in all types of situation. He does not necessarily like or respe

11、ct all people, but he is tolerant and understanding and does not intentionally hurt anyones feelings. 在社交方面成熟的人能在各個場合之下，與各種人 相處得很好。他不一定要喜歡或尊敬所有人，但是他能容忍、諒解他們，而且不會故意 去傷害他人。From Adverb to VerbWhen he rushed our, he forgot to have his shoes on. 他沖出去時，忘了穿鞋。The dog was barking so that someone would let hi

12、m in. 這條狗狂吠著要人放它進去。Conversion into NounsSome English words need to be converted into Chinese nouns, though it is not as frequent as converting into Chinese verbs.From Verbs to NounsAlthough there are more verbs in Chinese than in English, when translated into Chinese, sometimes some verbs need to be

13、 converted into nouns, because if they are translated into corresponding Chinese verbs, the translation will be very awkward. In this case, they are converted into nouns.(11) The camel is characterized by an ability to go for many days without water. 駱駝 的特點是不喝水能行走多日。What impressed me most was his he

14、roic deed.他的英雄壯舉給我留下了深刻的印象。From Adjectives to NounsIf the newspapers want to have a large circulation number, they must be informative, instructive and entertaining 如果報紙想得以大量發行，必須具有知識性、思想性和趣味性。She is different from some of her friends in that she works hard to make her dream come true while they are

15、 still dreaming. 她和她的一些朋友的區別在于當她們還沉湎于夢想的時候， 她則努力實現自己的夢想。Conversion into AdjectivesSome English nouns that are derived from adjectives need to be converted intoChinese adjectives in translation and some English adverbs should be converted into adjectives.From Noun to Adjective(15) Independent thinkin

16、g is an absolute necessity in study. 獨立思考對學習是絕對必 要的。The pallor of her face indicated clearly how she was feeling at the moment. 她蒼白的臉色清 楚地表明了她當時的感受。From Adverbs to AdjectivesWhen the English verbs are converted into nouns in the translation, the adverbs that are used to modify the verbs should be co

17、nverted into adjectives.The communication system is chiefly characterized by its ease with which it can be maintained .這種通訊裝置的主要特點是便于維修。Conversion into AdverbsSome nouns or adjectives are converted into adverbs in translation.A. From Noun to AdverbIt is our great pleasure to note that our shipbuildi

18、ng industry is developing rapidly. 我們很高 興地看到，我國的造船工業正在快速發展。B. From Adjectives to AdverbsWhen the noun is converted into verb, the adjective that modifies it will in turn be converted into the adverb.We should make a systematic and comprehensive study of the theory on art and literature. 我 們應當系統而全面地研

19、究文藝理論。2.3.2 AmplificationBy amplification, we mean supplying necessary words in translation so as to make the expression and grammatical structure better conform to the target language. According to the criteria of translation, a translator is not supposed to add or subtract any meaning from the sou

20、rce text. However, English and Chinese vary from each other in every aspect from phonology to text, and each has its own historical and cultural background, so many ideas and idiomatic expressions that are well understood by the source language readers can hardly make sense to the target language re

21、aders. Therefore, the translator should not be refrained from adding necessary words to make the translation conform to the idiomatic use of the target language and at the same time faithful to the meaning of the original text. Amplification helps make the translation correct and clear, but words th

22、us supplied must be indispensable either syntactically or semantically. Amplification for Semantic CompletenessDue to different ways of expression, what is complete in English may appear otherwise when it is translated into Chinese, so some elements need to be added to make the translation complete

23、in meaning.A. Supplying VerbsThey had been through it all at his sidethe bruising battles, the humiliations of the defeat. through empty mid-1960s一until at last, in 1968, they were able to savor the sweet taste of triumph. 他們始終站在他的一邊，經歷過殘酷的廝殺，飽嘗了失敗的恥辱，熬過 了一事無成的六十年代中期，好不容易挨到1986 年，他們才終于嘗到了勝利的甜頭。Some

24、had beautiful eyes, others a beautiful nose, others a beautiful mouth and figure: few, ifany, had all. 她們有的長著漂亮的眼睛，有的生著俏麗的鼻子，有的有著嫵媚的嘴巴、婀 娜的身段；但是，這樣樣都美的，雖然不能說一個沒有，卻也是寥寥無幾。In the translation of sentence (20), Chinese verbs are supplied, because if not, the meaning seems incomplete. In sentence (21), h

25、ad is omitted to make the sentence terse and coherent, but it doesnt conform to Chinese collocation without the verbs, so the translator needs to add the verbs.B. Supplying NounsFirstly, nouns may be added after intransitive verbs.She never drinks at a banquet. 她在宴會上從不喝酒。Some people read simply for

26、pleasure. 有些人讀書只是為了消遣。Secondly, category nouns (范疇詞 ) are supplied after some abstract nouns (especially those derived from verbs or adjectives) to express the concrete actions or nature of people or objects.persuasion 說服工作preparation 準備工作tension 緊張局勢necessity 必要性readability 可讀性Unemployment is very

27、serious in that country. 該國失業現象非常嚴重。Thirdly, if some adjectives, which are used as the predicative, are translated separately, the meaning is not very clear and the expression does not conform to Chinese habit. Its necessary to supply a noun before the adjective.He was weak and old. 他年老體衰。These comm

28、odities are cheap and fine. 這些商品物美價廉。Supplying AdverbsSome modifiers are always used in Chinese to strengthen or relax the tone of speech, so in English-Chinese translation, its necessary to add some adverbs showing degree.I find that the teacher is nervous today. 我發現老師今天很(有點)緊張。Some books are to be

29、 tasted, others swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested. 有些書需淺嘗，有些需生吞，一部分則需要細細品味，慢慢消化。Besides, some verbs in English include the meaning of adverbs. When they are translated into Chinese, the adverbs should be supplied to make the meaning clear.The old man was sipping the brandy. 老人一口一口(慢慢

30、)地呷著白蘭地。The hungry boy devoured his supper. 這個饑餓的孩子狼吞虎咽地吃完了晚飯。Supplying Summarizing WordsIn Chinese after several coordinated terms, a summarizing term (概括詞) is always used to summarize.(31) you and I 你我兩人militarily, politically and economically 軍事、政治、經濟等各方面The husband and wife agreed to give anothe

31、r try. 夫妻倆同意再試試。 Amplification for Syntactic ConstructionThe two languages have much disparity syntactically or grammatically, so in translation the translator always needs to supply some words to make up for such differences.A. Supplying Plural Form of NounsEnglish nouns have the inflection to show

32、 the plural form, but Chinese nouns dont. In E-C translation the plural meaning in Chinese is usually expressed by using reduplicated words or numerals, such as “繁星點點”，“密密麻麻”，“零零散散” “一 群群” . Sometimes Chinese words “們”，“諸位”，“大家”，“大伙” are used to express the plural form of English nouns. Even uncount

33、able nouns can also be expressed in Chinese reduplicated words or numerals as the Chinese language has a lot of idioms partly composed of numerals.The very earth trembled as if with the tramps of horses and murmur of angry men. 連大地都 震動了，仿佛萬馬奔騰，千夫怒吼。The mountains began to throw their long blue shadows over the valley. 群山開始在山谷里投下蔚藍色的長影。B. Supplying Quantifiersa car 一輛車a chair 一把椅子three horses 三匹馬several birds 幾只鳥Supplying Auxiliary WordsDifferent tenses are used in