OnApplicationofConversioninEnglishChineseTranslation论转换法在英汉翻译中的应用

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1、B. A. Thesis of Shandong University of Finance and Economics论转换法在英汉翻译中的应用 On Application of Conversion in English-Chinese Translation AcknowledgementsUpon the completion of the thesis, first of all, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to my supervisor Prof. Li Wentao, for his enlightening

2、 guidance, incessant encouragement and careful modification throughout the process of writing this thesis. Without his patience and prudence, I could not have brought my thesis to its present form. Besides, I am also greatly indebted to other beloved teachers in the School of Foreign Studies of Shan

3、dong University of Finance and Economics, for their valuable and informative courses which have benefited me a lot during my college years.Last but not the least, I am also much obliged to all my friends who have helped me with my thesis. L. X. ABSTRACTOn Application of Conversion in English-Chinese

4、 TranslationLiu XiaoDue to the great differences between English and Chinese in grammar and expression style, translators may adopt the approaches of changing the word classes and sentence components in English-Chinese (E-C) translation. As a frequently-used translation technique, conversion enables

5、 translators to achieve a natural, fluent and accurate translation that not only conveys the original texts information but also fits the idiomatic usage of Chinese.The thesis consists of three chapters. The first chapter examines the conversion of word classes in E-C translation such as conversion

6、from English nouns or prepositions into Chinese verbs. The conversion of word classes usually results in the conversion of sentence components, so the second chapter discusses the conversion of sentence components. The third chapter explores the approaches of how to convert the English perspectives

7、into the corresponding ones conforming to Chinese culture and thought pattern.Key words: conversion; word classes; sentence components; perspectives; E-C translation摘要论转换法在英汉翻译中的应用 由于英汉两种语言在语法或表达习惯上存在巨大差异, 在英汉翻译的过程中, 译者往往需要改变原文的词类或句子成分。作为英汉翻译中常用的翻译技巧，转换法可以使译文自然、流畅、准确，既传达原意又符合汉语的表达习惯。本文共分三章。第一章介绍了英汉翻

8、译过程中几种常见的词性转换方法，如原文中的名词或介词转换为译文中的动词。词性的转换通常会引起句子成分的改变，第二章分析了句子成分的转换现象。第三章讨论了如何将英语思维视角转换为相应的符合汉语文化和思维模式的视角。关键词：转换法；词类；句子成分；视角；英译汉CONTENTSAcknowledgementsiiAbstract.iiiAbstract in ChineseivIntroduction1Chapter One Conversion of Word Classes.3I. Conversion into Chinese Verbs3II. Conversion into Chinese

9、 Nouns5III. Conversion into Chinese Adjectives6IV. Conversion into Chinese Adverbs7Chapter Two Conversion of Sentence Components.9I. Conversion into Chinese Subjects9II. Conversion into Chinese Predicates10III. Conversion into Chinese Objects11IV. Conversion into Chinese Attributes11V. Conversion in

10、to Chinese Complements12Chapter Three Conversion of Perspectives14I. Conversion of English Impersonal Subjects14II. Conversion from the Abstract into the Concrete.17III. Conversion from the Stative into the Dynamic17IV. Conversion from the Passive into the Active18V. Conversion between Negative and

11、Affirmative18Conclusion.20Works Cited.21 21 IntroductionIn translation we may go through many procedures to translate the text to make it acceptable for the specific communicative situation. The translating process is explained as follows:Translation is not the transcoding of words or sentences from

12、 one language to another, but a complex form of action, whereby someone provides information on a text (source language material) in a new situation and under changed functional, cultural and linguistic conditions, preserving formal aspects as closely as possible. (Snell-Hornby 82) According to the

13、explanation, in translating, a translators task is to convey the content and spirit of the source text and rearrange them into the target text in a smooth and logical way under the new specific situations and conditions. Additionally, we should remember that “a natural style in translating is nevert

14、heless essential to producing in the ultimate receptors a response similar to that of the original receptors” (Ma and Miao 17). Therefore, effective translation methods and techniques are undoubtedly indispensable in translating activities. Conversion, as a grammatical phenomenon, has been a hot sub

15、ject in the field of linguistic research. Since source language and target language are quite different in nature and use, and the target text should convey the meaning of the source text in the closest natural manner, conversion becomes one of the most effective techniques to seek in the target lan

16、guage the equivalent information of the source language.A clear and correct expression of the source text is what really matters in translation, for it is crucial in translation to seek equivalence in content or information, but not absolute formal correspondence. “For most people the informative fu

17、nction is predominantly the major role of language” (Hu 10). A good translator will therefore employ all possible means to reproduce the thought of the author faithfully in another language. “Conversion has long been accepted as one of the techniques essential to improving the quality of our version

18、” (Zhong 98), by which the mechanical translation could be avoided; therefore it enables translators to achieve a natural and faithful translation which not only offers information of the source text but also keeps with the expression habits of the target language. In this way, contents of both sour

19、ce language and target language are in accordance with each other, though forms may be somewhat changed.The thesis argues that, because of the great differences between English and Chinese in grammar and expression style, conversion becomes a frequently-used translation technique, which enables tran

20、slators to achieve a natural, fluent and accurate translation. In addition to Introduction and Conclusion, the thesis consists of three parts. The first chapter discusses the conversion of word classes in English-Chinese (E-C) translation. The second chapter focuses on the conversion of sentence com

21、ponents, which is usually caused by the conversion of word classes. The third chapter explores the approaches of how to convert the English perspectives into the corresponding ones in Chinese.Chapter One Conversion of Word ClassesIn E-C translation, it is difficult to get an appropriate correspondin

22、g Chinese word for an English word of the same class all the time. If each word in one language is replaced with words of the same word classes in another, such expressions would sound very awkward or even unintelligible to the reader. Therefore, effective use of word class conversion is crucial and

23、 necessary in E-C translation.I. Conversion into Chinese VerbsBecause one of the most remarkable differences between English and Chinese lies in the use of the verb, conversion into Chinese verbs has become the basic conversion technique used in E-C translation.i. Converting English Noun into Chines

24、e VerbAs for English, “it seems possible to express ideas with greater precision and adequacy by means of nouns than by means of the more pictorial verbs” (Jespersen 139). That is to say, “English is a language in which nouns are more widely used than those in Chinese, while in Chinese verbs are mor

25、e frequently used and occupy a dominant position” (Zhou 391), therefore some English nouns are often converted into Chinese verbs in the practical translation. 注意文内引文规范。每个文献须在文末参考书目中出现。Specifically, an English noun which possesses the property of a verb or was derived from a verb is often converted

26、into a verb when translated into Chinese. Here is an example to illustrate this point. Example 1:The use of bacteriological weapons is a clear violation of the international law.使用细菌武器显然违反国际法。ii. Converting English Preposition into Chinese VerbIt is known that “there are about 286 prepositions and p

27、repositional phrases in English” (Lian 50). Prepositions or prepositional phrases are so widely and frequently used in English that English is sometimes called prepositional language. Prepositions in English, which are very rich and flexible in meaning, have a great power of expression; on the contr

28、ary, the Chinese language is verb-oriented, so it is not without reason that English prepositions or prepositional phrases are often converted into Chinese verbs or verbal phrases in E-C translation. There is an example below. Example 2:It is our goal that the people in the undeveloped areas will be

29、 finally off poverty.我们的目标是使不发达地区的人民最终摆脱贫困。iii. Converting English Adjective into Chinese VerbWhen meeting with such English adjectives that often indicate the human psychology or state of mind, such as ones consciousness, emotional activities and desires, translators usually convert them into Chine

30、se verbs. Here is an example to illustrate the point. Example 3:Advancing into the vastness of space, man is becoming fully aware of the smallness of his planet.由于进入浩无涯际的太空，人类已充分意识到本星球的渺小。iv. Converting English Adverb into Chinese VerbSome English adverbs, which have an implied meaning of verbs, if

31、necessary, are often converted into Chinese verbs. The following example illustrates this point.Example 4:They found Mr. Bennett still up.他们发现班纳特先生还没有睡觉。v. Converting English Gerund into Chinese Verb Gerund, also called as a verbal noun, often serves functionally as a noun but retains some propertie

32、s of a verb in the original text. However, there is no such linguistic form of -ing in Chinese, so English gerunds are generally converted into Chinese verbs in E-C translation. Here is an example.Example 5:Heating water does not change its chemical composition.把水加热不会改变水的化学成分。II. Conversion into Chi

33、nese NounsNouns account for an overwhelming part of the vocabulary not only in English but in Chinese. Some English words, for example, which are derived from nouns, can hardly be translated literally; they are usually converted into nouns.i. Converting English Verb into Chinese NounBecause some Eng

34、lish verbs describing the characteristics or properties of the subject are difficult to express in exact corresponding Chinese verbs, they are often converted into Chinese nouns so as to achieve a satisfactory translation. Here is an illustrative example.Example 6:To them, he personified the absolut

35、e power.在他们看来，他就是绝对权威的化身。ii. Converting English Adjective into Chinese NounSometimes English adjectives are also converted into Chinese nouns for the smoothness of translation. The following is one example:Example 7:Everyday experience shows us that ice is not as dense as water and it therefore floa

36、ts.日常经验告诉我们，冰的密度比水小，因而能浮在水面上。Generally speaking, a “definite article (the) + adjective” construction indicates people of some kind or abstract concepts, so such adjectives are often converted into Chinese nouns.Example 8:He is always dreaming of living a life as the rich.他总是梦想过富人一样的生活。Here, “the ric

37、h” referring to people of some kind is converted into a Chinese noun. Example 9:It is highly important to distinguish between the false and the truth.最重要的是分清是非。Here, “the false” and “the truth” referring to abstract concepts are converted into Chinese nouns.III. Conversion into Chinese Adjectivesi.

38、Converting English Noun into Chinese Adjective English nouns are much more frequently used and contain a more extended meaning than Chinese nouns, and some abstract nouns are very closely related to their corresponding adjectives in meaning. Therefore, it is necessary to convert such kind of nouns i

39、nto Chinese adjectives. The following is an example.Example 10:We found difficulty in solving this complicated problem.我们感到，解决这个复杂的问题很困难。Some abstract nouns, preceded by an indefinite article, are also usually converted into adjectives in translation for a more appropriate and natural effect. There

40、is an example below.Example 11:The garden-party is a great success.那个园会真是圆满极了。ii. Converting English Adverb into Chinese Adjective As a result of the conversion from some English verbs into Chinese nouns, the adverbs which modify the English verbs are naturally converted into Chinese adjectives to m

41、odify the Chinese nouns. Here is an example to illustrate this point.Example 12:His speech impressed the audience deeply.他的演讲给听众留下了很深的印象。IV. Conversion into Chinese AdverbsThere are occasions when some parts of speech in English may be converted into adverbs in Chinese in order to make the Chinese v

42、ersion more expressive.i. Converting English Noun into Chinese Adverb The conversion of English nouns into Chinese adverbs is far from being a universal phenomenon in translation. However, some good translations, as illustrated by the following one, demonstrate that the conversion of English nouns i

43、nto Chinese adverbs makes a more natural and smooth translation in certain context. Example 13:He had the kindness to show me the way.他好心地给我指路。ii. Converting English Adjective into Chinese Adverb Since the English nouns may have been converted into Chinese verbs, English adjectives which modify the

44、nouns are accordingly converted into Chinese adverbs to modify the verbs in the translated version. Here is an example.Example 14:We place the highest value on our friendly relations with developing countries.我们高度地珍视同发展中国家的友好关系。A few adjectives which modify or emphasize some nouns, if translated int

45、o Chinese, are always converted into adverbs, although this conversion is not caused by the result of conversion from English nouns into Chinese verbs. Illustrative examples are as follows:Example 15:Your story about the frog turning into a prince is sheer nonsense.你的青蛙变成王子的故事完全是胡说。Example 16:He dia

46、led the wrong number.他拨错了电话号码。The above discussion reveals that the conversion of word classes is frequently used to achieve accuracy and expressiveness in E-C translation. Through conversion, English words are often translated into Chinese words similar in meaning but different in word classes. In

47、addition, the conversion of word classes often requires the conversion of sentence components, which will be discussed in the next chapter.Chapter TwoConversion of Sentence Components It is discussed in the previous chapter that an English word is not necessarily changed into a Chinese word of the s

48、ame word class in E-C translation. Therefore, in order to achieve the maximal expressiveness, conversion of word classes has become a matter of common occurrence in translation, which often results in the conversion of sentence components. This chapter will discuss the conversion of sentence compone

49、nts in E-C translation.I.Conversion into Chinese Subjects i. English Object Converted into Chinese Subject As some objects of verbs in English are subjects of the sentences in the logical sense, they may usually be converted into subjects in Chinese so as to give prominence to the objects in English

50、. Here is an example to illustrate this point.Example 17:This sort of stone has a relative density of 2.7.这种石头的相对密度是2.7。ii. English Prepositional Object Converted into Chinese SubjectThis is actually a branch of general objects which are converted into Chinese subjects. To complete the phrase, the p

51、reposition usually teams up with a noun, pronoun, or gerund, which is called the object of the preposition and they are often converted into Chinese subjects. Here is an illustrative example.Example 18:With the introduction of the new method, the products decreased in cost.引进了新方法，产品的成本降低了。iii. Engli

52、sh Predicative Converted into Chinese Subject In English, the predicative, especially the nominal one, may be in line with the subject in terms of content. Therefore, when rendered into Chinese, such kind of English predicative is often changed into the subject in the target language so that the tra

53、nslation coherence is ensured or the importance of the predicative is effectively stressed. Here is an example to illustrate this point.Example 19:Two widely used alloys of copper are brass and bronze.黄铜和青铜是两种广泛使用的铜合金。II.Conversion into Chinese Predicatesi. English Attribute Converted into Chinese P

54、redicateIn English, adjectives themselves can not serve as predicates; however, in Chinese, they could. Therefore, the adjective attributes in English can be changed into predicates in Chinese; accordingly, in some circumstances, the core word in the adjective phrase is turned into subject in Chines

55、e so that the translation is smooth and idiomatic. Here is an example to illustrate this point.Example 20:We look forward to an ever-increasing volume of business with your factory.我方盼望与贵方工厂的交易额日益提高。ii. English Object Converted into Chinese PredicateIn certain cases, an English verb can not be trans

56、lated into the corresponding Chinese verb, while the English object conveys the meaning of action, such object or the object together with the verb may usually be converted into the predicate in Chinese. Here is an illustrative example.Example 21:Physical changes do not result in formation of new su

57、bstances, nor do they involve a change in composition.物理变化不会形成新的物质，也不会改变物质的成分。iii. English Subject Converted into Chinese PredicateSome nouns, which serve functionally as the subjects of the sentence in the original English text but retain some properties of verbs, are often converted into Chinese p

58、redicate. Here is an example to illustrate this point.Example 21:A glance through his office window offers a panoramic view of the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial.从他的办公室窗口可以一眼看到华盛顿纪念碑和林肯纪念碑的全景。III. Conversion into Chinese ObjectsActually this kind of conversion is closely related to the

59、 passive habit in English, which is further elaborated in the next chapter. As “a kind of changed verb forms in English,” passive voice “expresses the logical verb-object relationships between predicate verb and its subject,” and its subject is “actually the receiver of the predicate-verb action” (Y

60、an 116-119). Whats more, “the passive is especially used in English sentences where it is unnecessary or undesirable to mention the agent” (Zandvoort 53). Because sentences using the passive voice are not so common in Chinese, English subjects are generally converted into Chinese objects. Here is an

61、 illustrative example.Example 22:As the match burns, heat and light are given off.火柴燃烧时发出光和热。IV. Conversion into Chinese Attributesi. English Subject Converted into Chinese Attribute Since there may be close relationship between subject and object, or the object itself is part of the subject, the su

62、bject in the source language is occasionally converted into an attribute for the sake of naturalness of Chinese. Therefore, it can be coherent in meaning as well as in logic despite the change in the word order. Here is an example to illustrate this point.Example 23:Various substances differ widely

63、in their magnetic characteristics.各种材料的磁特性有很大不同。Here, the sentence construction of the rendered version is different from that of the original, but it conveys the exact meaning in English.ii. English Adverbial Converted into Chinese Attribute Certain prepositional phrases, mostly adverbials of place and time, serve as adverbials in the form, but they are actually connected closely with certain nouns. Such adverbials may be converted into attributes in Chinese. Here is an illustrative example.Example 24:Throughout the world, oil consumption is growing rapi