英语专业毕业论文浅析英语抽象名词的汉译处理

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1、A Brief Analysis on the Translation of English Abstract Nouns浅析英语抽象名词的汉译处理ByLiu XiujuanSupervised byLecturer Deng WentaoMay 20th, 2008College of Foreign Languages and CulturesChengdu University of Technology成都理工大学毕业论文iiiA Brief Analysis on the Translation of English Abstract Nouns Student: Liu Xiuju

2、an Class: 200411010412Supervisor: Lecturer Deng WentaoAbstract English and Chinese, which fall into separate language families, are widely different in terms of semantics and usage mode. It is noted that English is a language remarkable for its “preponderance of nouns”; while Chinese is characterize

3、d by frequent use of verbs and adjectives to highlight action and description. This difference between the two languages has always posed difficulties for the translation since one is liable to produce a translated text that reads awkward or even unintelligible unless one is adequately equipped with

4、 practical experience and theoretical guidance. Translation, to a large extent, can be defined as a reproduction of the original text in another language. Therefore，for translation of English abstract noun into Chinese, the widely-admitted criterion Dynamic equivalence proposed by Nida , can be assu

5、med as an aim strived for. The present thesis consists of five parts: the Introduction presents an overview of the differences between English and Chinese; Chapter One is chiefly concerned with the derivations of English abstract nouns; Chapter Two concerns the principles of translation and accordin

6、gly offers strategies for the translation of English abstract noun into Chinese; Chapter Three discusses the differences between English and Chinese, serving as theoretical support for the preceding chapters; The conclusion is a summing-up of the whole paper.Key words: abstract noun; equivalence; tr

7、anslation skills 浅析英语抽象名词的汉译处理 学生： 班号：200411010412指导教师： 讲师摘要英语和汉语分属不同语系，两种语言差异涉及面很广。从词法层面上看，表现为英语的名词表现力特别强，呈现出名词占优势的特点，抽象名词的使用已成现代英语的一大趋势；而汉语则缺乏词汇形态变化，动词、形容词使用频繁，强调具体概念的形象表达。本文的探析基于这样一个事实, 即英语中存在大量抽象名词,而且使用极为灵活, 使用抽象名词已成一种趋势；相对而言,汉语则措辞具体,多用动词，形容词。正因英汉两种语言的显著差别，我们在翻译这类抽象名词时常常会出现思维阻隔。而翻译从本质上来说是把一种语言信息

8、转变成另一种语言信息的活动，从此种意义上来说，奈达的“动态对等”原则可作为翻译的理论指导和目标。为准确地传达英文抽象名词所包含的信息,同时兼顾表达符合汉语习惯, 在具体翻译实践中,掌握一些翻译策略和技巧是非常必要的。本文分为五部分：引言导出英汉种语言存在显著差别；第一章介绍了英语中抽象名词的构成特点及翻译的一般原则；第二章结合名译实例，讨论了常用的翻译技巧，其中包括转译法、增词（成句）法、借用修辞法等；第三章着重分析英汉语言在词法和句式上的区别，为上述翻译技巧提供理论支持；结语部分提出,在翻译英语抽象名词时,需进行从抽象到具体的转化,使译文更加符合汉语的表达习惯。关键词：抽象名词；对等性；翻译

9、技巧； ContentsAbstracti摘要iiIntroduction11. Derivations of English Abstract Nouns11.1 Derivation from Verb21.2 Derivation from Adjective22. Translation Principles and Skills32.1 Translation Principles32.2 Translation Skills42.2.1 Conversion42.2.1.1 Noun into Verb42.2.1.2 Noun into Adjective5a.A/an +Abs

10、tract Noun Structure5b.Of + Abstract Noun Structure6c.Suffixed Abstract Noun62.2.1.3 Noun into Adverb62.2.2 Addition72.2.2.1 Adding Concrete Noun.72.2.2.2 Adding Verb.82.2.3 Rhetoric Device83. Comparison between English and Chinese93.1 Semantic Difference93.2 Dissimilarity in Sentence Structure10Con

11、clusion11Acknowledgements.11Endnotes13References14成都理工大学毕业论文14A Brief Analysis on the Translation of English Abstract Nouns浅析英语抽象名词的汉译处理Introduction It has long been noticed that English and Chinese differ a lot from each other in various aspects. Predominance of nouns in English is particularly one

12、 of the most distinctive features from Chinese, which, is a language noted for the inclination of using reified words, like verbs and adjectives. This difference can be further stated as a fact that English tend to use abstract nouns for concrete entities, while, Chinese, on the other hand, has a pr

13、eference to material words. Due to this contrast, it is likely to put one into trouble if a mere mechanical or word-for- word method is applied to the E-C translation of English abstract nouns. With this problem, the solution can be turned to certain translation techniques which mostly are obtained

14、from a comprehensive comparison between English and Chinese, and also of course, the study of translation principles. Translation of English abstract nouns into Chinese is an old topic. There is no doubt about the fact that many domestic and foreign translators have been working on it from different

15、 angles and have made great contributions. The author, far from being knowledgeable to open a new perspective in this respect, is trying to make a tentative probe into the translation skills regarding E-C translation of abstract nouns and hope to contribute a little to this field. 1. Derivations of

16、English Abstract NounsUpon the comparative study of English and Chinese by predecessors, it can be verified that English is extraordinarily productive in creating nouns, especially abstract nouns; A fact which requires special attention is that English is rich in devices for forming abstract nouns,

17、among which adding suffixes like ness、 -tion、-ship、 -hood、-dom、-th、-al and-ment are the most common. According to the bases from which abstract nouns are derived, they can be classified into two categories: Derivation from verb and Derivation from adjective.1.1 Derivation from Verb Nouns obtained th

18、rough verbal nominalization are associated in meaning to these bases in a series of ways:1. -AGE, assemblage, blockage, breakage, stoppage, storage, wastage, etc.2. -AL, bestowal, betrayal, burial, committal, dismissal, portrayal, renewal, withdrawal, etc.3. -ANCE, acceptance, attendance, performanc

19、e, dominance, observance, tolerance, etc.4. -ATION (-TION, -ION), action, production, protection, reaction, realization, reduction, etc. 5. -ENCE, adherence, coherence, insistence, occurrence, persistence, transference, etc.6. -MENT, discouragement, employment, retirement, etc.These derivations repr

20、esent the process or state of the corresponding verbs.1.2 Derivation from AdjectiveCases are as follows:1. -ABILITY (-IBILITY, -BILITY), ability, applicability, contemptibility, desirability, etc.2. -NESS, attractiveness, rudeness, sadness, sickness, ugliness, weakness, youthfulness, etc.3. -ISM, cy

21、nicism, extremism, internationalism, modernism, nationalism, etc.4. -ITY, absurdity, brutality, creativity, curiosity, diversity, simplicity, superiority, etcThose abstract nouns，which are derived from adjectives by adding suffixes are closely related to them in meaning and usually represent a kind

22、of quality or a certain idea.As listed above, many abstract nouns are formed by the addition of nominal marking derivative affixes to words. Langacker, the world famous cognitive linguist, points out that the nature of nominalization is the reification of an event and thereby “suspending sequential

23、scanning, delimiting a region of conceptual space, and construct a process temporally as an object or a thing”.1Derived from corresponding verbs or adjectives, the abstract nouns in English are very capable of expressing ideas in a simple and concise way. This marks the difference between English an

24、d Chinese and also partly is an explanation for the tendency of nominalization in modern English.2. Translation Principles and SkillsThis chapter is to introduce the principles of translation and focus much on the concept “equivalence” proposed by Nida. It is then to analyze many good examples from

25、excellent translation materials so as to find certain rules of translation in this topic. 2.1 Translation PrinciplesThe communication between people speaking different languages must depend on translation, without which the communication cannot be carried through effectively. The translation princip

26、le is by far an old topic, on which many theorists proposed different viewpoints. According to Fu Lei, spirit is more important than form. He said, Our emphasis must be put on the closeness of spirit rather than of form. This principle is applicable to the E-C translation of English abstract nouns f

27、or the existence of differences between the two languages. Also Nidas definition to translation was that Translation is to reappear the information of the original in the version from semantics to style with the most appropriate and natural equivalent language.2 All these proposals focus attention o

28、n the expressiveness of SL in the TL which is achieved by adoption of translation skills or strategies.Again, translation is a language activity in which the content of one language reappears in another language. This is the process in which the content of one language is changed into that of anothe

29、r while the message is well-kept. The famous American translation theorist Eugene A.Nida holds that “Translation consists in the reproduction in the receptor language of the message of the source language in such a way that the receptors in the receptor language may be able to understand adequately

30、how the original receptor of the source language understood the original message”2. He insists that anything expressed in one language can nevertheless be expressed in another language; People with different languages from different cultures can surely communicate with each other，by seeking equivale

31、nce，reorganizing the form and the semantic structure of the original message，in proper ways，of course. Translation thus can be considered not only a science with its own laws and methods but also a reproduction and re-creation. It should be noted that since translation involves different languages,

32、cultures and different ways of thinking; to translate means to convey the message in the source language into the target language, so it must be as equivalent as possible. However, what we call “equivalence” is but an abstract concept and an ideal aim, absolute equivalence is almost impossible in pr

33、actical translation. Thus, the task of translators, in a most general sense, is to reproduce the original contents by proper use of translation methods and skills, so as to achieve equivalent effect among the target readers.2.2 Translation SkillsThe following is to analyze many good examples from ex

34、cellent translation materials so as to find certain rules of translation in this topic. Conversion is a method very useful in translation to get the result of preciseness and smoothness. In translating the English abstract nouns, conversion of parts of speech can make the translation more natural an

35、d smooth since it takes into account the grammatical rules and habitual expression modes of Chinese. Cases in which conversion should occur are as follows:2.2.1 Conversion2.2.1.1 Noun into VerbAn English noun possessing the property of a verb or derived from a verb is often transformed into a verb w

36、hen translated into Chinese. Lets take a sentence for example,E.g. 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。The Chinese version is quite natural. The words use” and violation in the original sentence are both nouns, but they are converted into ve

37、rbs in the translation. If word-for-word translation method is applied, the version of 细菌武器的使用是一种国际法的明显违反is bound to be awkward and obscure in meaning.It is evident that the first version sounds natural due to effective use of the technique of conversion from English nouns into Chinese verbs.2.2.1.2

38、 Noun into AdjectiveAs stated above，nouns contain a much wider meaning and are more frequently used in English than in Chinese. It is no surprise that some abstract nouns are closely related to their corresponding adjectives in meaning. If we，in our translated text，keep their word forms according to

39、 what they really are in the original text，we are bound to get into trouble. In order to make our translation read more natural and conformable to the expression habits of the Chinese language，we can but make necessary adaptations in the light of specific conditions，that is，transform the above-menti

40、oned nouns into adjectives from which they are directly derived.a. A/an +Abstract Noun StructureThose abstract nouns, receded by an indefinite article are transformed into adjectives in our translation for a more appropriate and natural effect. E.g. It is often a great sorrow to me. 所以我时常觉得很难过。b. Of

41、 + Abstract Noun StructureThere is in English an “of + abstract noun ”construction，serving as the predicative of the original sentence, with the abstract noun indicating characteristics or qualities of things and being closely related to their same-rooted adjectives, often transformed into the corre

42、sponding Chinese “be + adjective” construction with the abstract noun in the original sentence transformed into a Chinese adjective.E.g. But it is of small importance. 不过这也无关紧要。c. Suffixed Abstract Noun Some abstract nouns，which are derived from adjectives by adding suffixes and closely related to t

43、hem in meaning，are more often than not transformed into adjectives，which on the whole makes the translation be in better keeping with the expression habits of the Chinese language and read more natural and fluent.E.g. There is such an expression of goodness in his countenance! Such an openness and g

44、entleness in his manner. 他的面貌那么善良，他的风格那么文雅。E.g. We are deeply convinced of the correctness of this Policy and firmly determined to pursue it. 我们深信这一政策是正确的，并有坚定的信心继续奉行这一政策。2.2.1.3 Noun into AdverbE.g.:I have the honor to inform you that your request is granted 我荣幸地通知您，您的请求已得到批准。E.g.: The new mayor ea

45、rned some appreciation by the courtesy of coming to visit the city poor. 新市长有礼貌地前来访问城市贫民，获得了他们的一些好感。This conversion is adopted to make the version conform to the idiomatic Chinese expression. Though the conversion of English nouns into Chinese adverbs is far from being a universal Phenomenon in tran

46、slation，nor is there any great necessity for doing that. Some excellent translations，however，demonstrate to us that the transformation of English nouns into Chinese adverbs sometimes makes a more natural and smooth translation.2.2.2 Addition Addition is another commonly used method in translating. T

47、he so-called addition means to add some appropriate words or phrases in order to conform to the modes of expression of the target language. The precondition of addition is to keep the original meaning and at the same time make the version more precise and smoother. As Yan Fu argued that “if the idea

48、 of the original is profound and cannot be easily understood, we must make the necessary alterations or amplifications”.4 This method is of particular importance in the translation of English abstract nouns which are inevitably complicated and ambiguous in meaning. There are two ways of adopting the

49、 strategy of addition.2.2.2.1 Adding Concrete Noun.The principle concerned is to add concrete words to make the abstract nouns more concrete and reified when translated into Chinese version. E.g. He takes the misfortune to heart too much他对所遭遇的一些不幸事件看得太重了。E.g. All the wit and learning in this field a

50、re to be present at the symposium.这一领域的全部学者们将出席这次科学讨论会。2.2.2.2 Adding Verb.The illustrative example is as follows,E.g. All peace loving people demand the prohibition of atomic weapons.所有热爱和平的人们都要求禁止使用原子武器。In the last example, by adding the words使用 after 禁止,this Chinese version is more clear in meani

51、ng and in a better conformity to the customary modes of Chinese expression.According to the Chinese habit of expression, the original meanings of some English abstract words should be represented in the extension of its corresponding Chinese words which are more specific. Other commonly used words l

52、ike solution, flexibility can be amplified respectively as 解决方法、灵活性. This technique is also applicable to many more abstract nouns. 2.2.3 Rhetoric DeviceThe strategy is to combine the abstract noun with other components into a four-character set phrase which produces rhetoric effect for the Chinese

53、version. E.g. Memory of that historic and happy occasion still lingered.人们对那次历史性的盛会仍记忆犹新。In this translation, it should be noticed that alternations are made both to the sentence pattern and phrasing. The original sentence features the S+V structure with “memory” as subject. while the Chinese expres

54、sion, as discussed in preceding chapter, is personal-subjected and topic-oriented, the subject is substituted with “人们”(people). With the adjustment to the sentence pattern and phrase as well, the Chinese version ended with the four-character set phrase “记忆犹新” sounds beautiful and pleasant. Similar

55、effect is shown in many more other examples,The most notable is the further willingness of people to speak their minds.人们更愿意畅所欲言,这是最值得注意的. She wondered whether her outspokenness might be a liability to her friend.她怀疑自己那么心直口快，会否使她朋友背上心理包袱。These examples again suggest the strategies needed in dealing

56、with translating abstract nouns, regardless of the absolute corresponding in form but paying respect to the effect of “Equivalence”. It is not difficult to reach the comprehension that abstract nouns play such a crucial role in the English languages and for the aim of better Chinese version, transla

57、tion skills is an important and salient aspect in the translation practice. At the same time, a close comparison between Chinese and English will certainly enhance ones awareness of these translation strategies.3. Comparison between English and ChineseIn seeking the equivalence, it would be possible

58、 that it is hard to find the equivalent expression in the target language and this is just the case in the E-C translation of English abstract nouns. That is why translators should use all kinds of translation to represent the original content, style and features. Regarding the above translation ski

59、lls which are indispensable to a qualified piece of translation, a comparison between English and Chinese is well advisable to be laid as the foundation of these strategies.There are more differences than similarities between the two languages. Since English is an alphabetic language composed of Lat

60、in letters which represent the sound of words; whereas the Chinese language is an ideographic language composed of logographic characters which represent ideas or things rather than the sound of words.3.1 Semantic DifferenceAs devices for exchanging ideas，English and Chinese on the one hand, share m

61、uch sameness which forms the translatability between the two languages. On the other hand, there exist remarkable differences in terms semantics. First, the differences in part of speech of the two languages are obvious. For example，articles，relative Pronouns，relative adverbs, gerunds and infinitive

62、s are unique to English，all of which dont exist in Chinese. Even words of the same part of speech function quite differently in the two languages. It should be noted that in English，nouns are more frequently used than in Chinese，whats more，nouns of English have richer connotations. Therefore，many co

63、ncepts representing actions are expressed with nouns. In this case，when translated into Chinese，they are often accordingly transformed into verbs 、adjectives or adverbs as discussed above. Apart from the different classifications of part of speech, English and Chinese both have their own unique word-formation，which to some extent accounts for conversion between part of speech in English-Chinese translation. Word-formation in English，in its restricted sense，refers to the process of word variations signaling lexical relationships.