OnChinesecharacterizedTranslationofLoanwords

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1、On Chinese-characterized Translation of Loanwords Abstract: This paper, by discussing the approaches to the Chinese-characterized translation of the loan words from English, tries to explore the regulations from the modem Chinese language characteristics and the underlying cognitive psychology of la

2、nguage in the absorption of the loan words. As for methods concerning element of semantic translation, half transliteration and half semantic translation as well as transliteration plus category markers reflect principles of popularity and sinicization to some degree and transliteration plus Chinese

3、 coinage reveals the need of specialization and sinicization, so they can be considered as next satisfactory. Though taking the largest proportion, pure or complete transliteration (31.5%) and transcription (24.7%) are the least method to resort. It aims to foster better understanding and absorption

4、 of the English loan words. The thesis contributes mainly in two aspects:1)the way they are translatated; 2) their standardization in modern Chinese, aiming to discover a guideline for translators to follow when translating loanwords and to broaden the study of loanwords.Key words: chinese-character

5、ized, translation, loanwords1 IntroductionBoth English and chinese have the loanwords in the respective historical perpetual flow, because so many factors influence such as the national trade, the cultural exchange, the immigrants living together with different nationalities, the war to conquer and

6、so on. These two languages have the obvious differences in quantity, the lexical category, borrowing aspects of the loanwords as well as the function of absorption and assimilation of the loan words. The reason mainly lies in the differences in two traditionally cultural psychology, the geographical

7、 environment and the historical perspective as well as the type of language and writing. The loan word is the important component of modern Chinese glossary system. This article attempts to reflect the bright characteristic of Chinese, as well as Chinese nationality the national culture psychology w

8、hich displays in the language use by elaborating the chinese-characterized translation of loanwords.1.1 Definition of LoanwordWith the carrying out of the reform and open policy, the relationship between our counry and the other nations has become closer day by day. Various exchange forms such as na

9、tional trade, cultural exchange, the immigrants living together with different nationalities all provide the objective condition for the language contact. And words borrowing is the most common phenomenon. Therefore loanwords produce massively.By discussing the approaches to the Chinese- characteriz

10、ed translation of the loan words from English, we should explore the regulations from the modem Chinese language characteristics and the underlying cognitive psychology of language in the absorption of the loan words. It aims to foster better understanding and absorption of the English loan words. S

11、ince the May 4th Movement of 1919, the emergence of our modern Chinese has presented two characteristics, first, residential vernacular language grows healthily and strongly represented by Mr. Lao She; Second, the massive loan words integrate to Chinese. Then what is loanword ? Loanwords, a special

12、phenomenon in linguistic field, occur when two different languages are confronting each other. The appearance of loanwords is far more than a mere lexical coincidence; it is a sign of cross-cultural integration. As ambassadors of different languages, they thus play an essential role in the cross-cul

13、tural communication. Especially in an era of globalization, with the unprecedented interactions and cooperation in almost each field, loanwords, have aroused peoples great interest. Mr shi youwei explained in his bookchinese loanwords汉语外来词，“in chinese, generally speaking, loanwords refers to complet

14、ely or partly take advantage from the other fanmily language which it corresponds with in the form of pronunciation under the premise of the word meaning coming from other family languages.” The loan word also calls the external word or the borrowing word. It refers to bring in words directly from t

15、he foreign languages by the way of borrowing the sound, the meaning or the shape. With the exchanges with the outside world becoming frequently day by day, the external new conception and new things need to have the new verbal symbol including the new scientific term to express themselves. A most im

16、portant way these language symbols produce is to borrow from the foreign language by various forms. These words mostly have the effectiveness, succinct, and the characteristic of exotic culture in different degree giving people a feeling of curiosity and making the use of loanwords the current fashi

17、on.1.2 Literature Review Loanwords have existed in Chinese for quite a long time. In modern Chinese, there is a large quantity of loanwords borrowed from other languages, especially from English. According to Cen Qixiang, there are a total number of 4,307 loanwords in Dictionary of Foreign Words in

18、Chinese 汉语外来语词典(1990), which shows that loanwords compromise a large part in Chinese vocabulary, and naturally become the focus of study for many scholars and linguists.The first and foremost problem when dealing with loanwords is the definition. There are two totally different opinions in academic

19、circle. On the one hand, Liu Zheng Yan and Gao Mingkai define “loanwords” as “words which do not originally exist in a language, but are taken from another language without the change of their sound and meaning” 把外来语中具有非本语言所有的意义的词连音带意搬到本语言里, 这种词才是外来词 (qtd. in郭剑英, 2003). Xing Fuyi and Wang Guosheng e

20、xplain the reason for this definition in his book “Modern Chinese”, that “another kind of words, such as 快餐, 代沟 and 语感 do not strictly belong to the so-called loanwords since they are formed by the Chinese word-formation materials, following the Chinese grammatical rules”还有一种意译词, 如“快餐”, “代沟”, “语感”等一

21、般不属于外来词, 因为它们用汉语的语言材料和构词法构成(2003: 217). On the other hand, another group, represented by Ge Benyi and Cao Wei, holds a contrary viewpoint. They advocate that “loanwords” should be defined in a broad sense. Ge Benyi states in A Research on the Chinese Vocabulary 汉语词汇研究 that, “the so-called loanwords

22、refer to words produced under the influence of any foreign language. They are by no means restricted to the original word in the borrowed language” 所谓外来词是指源于外语影响而产生的词 (2000: 85). In other words, according to her definition, any word produced under the influence of a foreign language should be called

23、 a loanword, no matter this influence is semantic or phonemic. She also treats semantic loans as loanwords. In this way, the scope of loanword is broadened, containing semantic loans and graphic loans from Japanese. Hence, the translation of loanwords involves more. The increasing number of loanword

24、s in a broad sense also poses much more difficulties in translating and studying them. In order to give a comprehensive and accurate analysis, this thesis tends to agree with the first definition, using “phonemic loans, an exact but narrow term” (史有为 2000: 10) to define loanwords in a narrow sense.

25、According to the author, the definition of loanwords should be like this, “loanwords refer to words that do not exist in the original language, and both their sound and meaning are taken from anther language”. The key point is that it must contain the element of phonemic translation.The research on

26、loanwords is far beyond its definition. In the past two decades, many scholars and linguists have made their achievements. There two dictionaries collecting the loanwords in Chinese: one is compiled by Liu Zheng Yan and other scholars, called Dictionary of Chinese Loanwords 汉语外来词词典 as early as 1984;

27、 in 1990, another one, Dictionary of Foreign words in Chinese 汉语外来语词典 was compiled by Cen Qixiang. Both dictionaries aim to give a complete and precise record of loanwords in contemporary times and also probe into the source. Apart from this, several monographs were published. 史有为 wrote two books, L

28、oanwords in Chinese (2000) 汉语外来词 and Loanwords, the Ambassador of Different Cultures (2004) 外来词异文化的使者, studying loanwords comprehensively and systematically. Beside dictionaries and monographs, loanwords are also studied in Chinese textbooks and lexicological works. Xing fuyi and Wang guosheng devot

29、e one section to discuss the translation and categorization of Chinese loanwords in Modern Chinese 现代汉语 (2003: 215-217). Xiang xi devotes two sections to introducing loanwords from a historical perspective (1998: 535-560; 667-699). Besides, there are about 282 articles concerning the study of loanwo

30、rds during the past decade between 1997 and 2006, most of which focus on the classification and translation of loanwords. Others conduct synchronic researches within lexicology or discuss its standardization. The representatives are Xiao shuilai with his “English Loanwords in Chinese and Their Trans

31、lation” 汉语中的英语借词及其翻译 and Guo jianying with his “The Research of Foreign Words in the 20th Century” 一个世纪以来的汉语外来词研究.2 Culture and translation of loanwords2.1 national cultureThe chinese-characterized translation of loanwords cannot separate with the national culture. Mr. Wang Zuoliang once said: “the

32、biggest problem of translation is the difference between the two culture.” Mr. Song Guangqian also pointed out in his article talk about that translation “the foreign literature most is very difficult to understand and the first thing of translation is the associative significanceif not familiar wit

33、h human sentiment and custom of a country, not familiar with its cultural and historical perspective, we will be confused with the meaning of writing. It will be especially difficult to deal with it when translating.” Translated theoretician Eugene naida to also once pointed out like this : “speakin

34、g of the truly successful translation, being familiar with two cultures is even more important than having a good command of two languages because the words and expressions are only meaningful in the cultural context which they act on.” Regarding the cultural definition, although different scholar h

35、as the inconsistent explanation, four inherent characteristics in the cultural conception actually obtains consistent approval of modern culture anthropology: (1) culture is acquired through the society, not through heredity. (2) culture is ownd by a social organization, not monopolized by a certain

36、 person. (3) The culture has the symbol, the language is the most important symbolic system in the culture.(4) The culture is a unified whole, each aspect in cultural should be related with the other aspects. Various national culture has the general character, simultaneously, it also has very strong

37、 national characteristic. As a result of the difference of history, the geography, the social structure, the race, the custom, the values, the thinking mode, the religious belief, the moral sentiment, theres big difference between each different culture. The thought has the national characteristic a

38、nd language is the carrier of the thought.Therefore,this national characteristic will be inevitable reflected in the language.The process of contacting,blending and borrowing of different national language must transform resting on the national characteristic. While applying to the language,it means

39、 to reform the loanwords according to the thought custom and the language characteristic of local nation. These loanwords must pass through this national thought in the process of using as to make it has the national language characteristic. Only this way can it take root in the national glossary sy

40、stem. As a constituent of culture and the carrier of cultural information, the language will definitely reflect these differences. It is not only the switching process of language, but also the process of cultural transplant. Rather than saying that the translation involves two languages, we had bet

41、ter consider it involves two cultures. Because the culture is the liveling soil of language and is also the object which the language reflect. Then we can see that chinese-characterized translation of loanwords is affected by the difference of geographical environment, habits and customs, social usa

42、ge, socicial and historical perspective, and religious belief. Therefore, the loanwords we are using have got on a shade of chinese traditional characteristic.2.2 The strategy of foreignization to proceed the translation of loanwords.2.2.1 Transliteration of massive personal name geographic nameShel

43、ly (English poet, transliterated to “雪莱”，not“谢利”)Holmes (the name of a famous detective, transliterated to “福尔摩斯”, but not“霍姆斯”)Bernard shaw (English Literary giant, transliterated to “萧伯纳”， not“伯纳德肖”)Thames (transliterated to “泰晤士河”, not “泰姆斯河”)Creenwich (transliterated to “格林威治”, not “格林尼治”)In thi

44、s kind of translation, being established by usage and the standardization are two very important principles. Regarding to the translation of some commonly used personal names and geographic names, if been accepted generally by the people, they should be retained and no longer changed. Other names ne

45、ed to make the standard processing by looking up some reference books, such as Handbook of English-speaking country names and translated names and so on. At the same time, the translation of foreign personal names do not too be chinese-characterized and also abstained from the use of those words wit

46、h clear Chinese significance in order to avoid causing the association of the different meanings. For example, dont translate “Reagan (里根) ” to “李根”， “基辛格” to “ 纪新歌”.2.2.2 transliteration of professional nouns Marlboro (万宝路) Park (派克金笔) Sheraton(喜来登饭店) Sprite(雪碧) Coca-cola (可口可乐) Madonald(麦当劳)CleanC

47、lear(可伶可俐) Omega(欧米加表)“Coca-cola”, a kind of popular drink coming from the west, is very lively, vivid, and harmonious by translating to “可口可乐”, which is so beautiful either from the semantics or the transliteration. When transliterating this kind of brand or trademark, On the one hand , when choosi

48、ng the words, we should use the succinct words to express the accurate information and the significance as far as possible. It is suitble to employ the glyph whose stroke is simple or easy to know. At the same time, choosing the words ingeniously using the rich characteristic of Chinese characters m

49、eaning in order to create the association conforming with the need, namely semantic gain, thus coming intobeing the good economic efficiency and social effect. “TOEFL” is translated to “托福” is a very good example. 2.2.3 transliteration of common nounsdisco(迪斯科) sofa(沙发) chocolate(巧克力)shock(休克) toast

50、(吐司) modem(摩登)hysteria(歇斯底里) vitamin(维他命) humor(幽默)logic(逻辑) nylon(尼龙) sonar(声纳)copy(拷贝) rader(雷达) ounce(盎司)When just appearing, the loanwords often belong to the lacking item of our national culture. To these brand-new things, because it was very difficult to find the appropriate chinese coordinate

51、d word to translate within a short time, or even if found, it would be also violate the succinct principle or the accurate principle because of inarticulate obscure, therefore, we simply adopte the way of transliteration. These examples above all belong to the ones which are quite classical translit

52、eration processing, they have experienced the test of time and obtained widespread approval and the admission of the users of the goal language. They had already integrated into our social life and is enriching our language culture.2.2.4 zero translation of the original text condensingInformation ag

53、e, fast changing. In our daily life , massive English abbreviations are flooding, for example: MTV, CT, VCD, DVD, CCTV, IT, DV, NBA, KFC and such kind of abbreviations of original text. The reason that why call them zero translation is because this belongs to copy the original text, simply has not m

54、ade the translation. This is not mysterious, and also not opportunistic. It stems from the economical principle mostly and aims to instill the conception for readers of the goal language by using these abbreviations repeatedly. However, this kind of using should not be excessive, otherwise, on the o

55、ne hand, it will affect readers understanding, on the other hand, it will possibly attenuate our national language, therefore, this kind of translation is not the best plan, which should be used only at the right moment and in right amount.2.3 The strategy of domestication to proceed the translation

56、 of loanwords. The strategy of domestication occupies the dominant position among the translation methods we use. Because the strategy of domestication has used the known information in our language as far as possible and is very easy to make people have the warm feelings and sympathy, so it can red

57、uce the process of cultural communication, and reduce and avoid the cultural conflict. It mainly refers to the transliteration of loanwords which can be divided into two kinds:One kind is creating the new word with the constructing material of the goal language according to the word meaning of the s

58、ource language.laser(激光) memorandum(备忘录) democracy(民主) science(科学) tip(小费) robot(机器人)bourgeoisie(资产阶级) computer(电脑)Another kind is to translate each part of the source language into the goal language according to the semantics, then combine them to form the new words according to the constructing cu

59、stom of the goal language. This way might help the translation reader to find corresponding information connections in the source language glossary and in the goal language glossary. The translation is simple and brief. cocktail party(鸡尾酒会) generation gap(代沟) cold war(冷战) haneymoon(蜜月) horse-power(马

60、力) football(足球) scratch card(刮刮卡) rockroll(摇滚)2.4 To use the strategy of foreignization and domestication synthetically.It is best pattern of translating loanwords.2.4.1半音半意词 Domino effect(多米诺效应) Internet(因特网) New zealand(新西兰) Nippon paint(立邦漆) Wall street(华尔街) Indian ocean(印度洋)2.4.2 Transliteration

61、+类属词or those can be used to express it beer(啤酒) mango(芒果) ballet(芭蕾舞) rifle(来复枪) nickel(镍) chrome(铬) Sauna(桑拿浴) hippies(嬉皮士) shark(鲨鱼) jazz(爵士乐) Eden(伊甸园) shampoo(香波) hacker(黑客) Utopia(乌托邦) pizza(匹萨饼) neon(霓虹灯) poker(扑克牌) cannon(加农炮) typhoon(台风) buckingham(白金汉宫) We may see through the above examples

62、, the loanwords mostly are nouns, including common nouns and professional nouns, as well as other corresponding items. When translating the loanwords, we must first choose the way of 音意兼译. Because it has the meris of both transliteration and 意译: 1. It retains the pronunciation or the partial pronunc

63、iations of the original words, increases the vocabulary which the goal language and the source language are interlinked; simultaneously retains the mark of the imported product , has the bright characteristic of foreign culture .2. to gather all possible resource,when retaining external pronunciations, give the explicit significance to better understand the true connotation of words.3.It may enrich culture and the language of the goal language, some words with the foreign special characteristic appear unavoidably stiff, irritable when just appearing, but after practice and examina