On Application of Conversion in English-Chinese Translation转换法在英汉翻译中的应用.docx

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1、On Application of Conversion in English-Chinese TranslationABSTRACTDue 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

2、-used translation technique, conversion enables 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

3、 classes in E-C translation such as conversion 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 approac

4、hes of how to convert the English perspectives 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

5、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

6、 into Chinese Verbs3II. Conversion into Chinese 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. Conve

7、rsion into Chinese Attributes11V. Conversion into 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

8、the Active18V. Conversion between Negative and Affirmative18Conclusion.20Works Cited.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 no

9、t the transcoding of words or sentences from 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 p

10、ossible. (Snell-Hornby 82) According to the 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 th

11、at “a natural style in translating is nevertheless 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

12、a grammatical phenomenon, has been a hot subject 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 ef

13、fective techniques to seek in the target language 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 corresp

14、ondence. “For most people the informative function 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 essen

15、tial to improving the quality of our version” (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

16、language. In this way, contents of both source 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-us

17、ed translation technique, which enables translators 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 chapt

18、er focuses on the conversion of sentence components, 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

19、difficult to get an appropriate corresponding 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

20、 use of word class conversion is crucial and 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 transl

21、ation.i. Converting English Noun into Chinese 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 thos

22、e in Chinese, while in Chinese verbs are more frequently used and occupy a dominant position” (Zhou 391), therefore some English nouns are often converted into Chinese verbs in the practical translation. Specifically, an English noun which possesses the property of a verb or was derived from a verb

23、is often converted 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

24、 prepositions and prepositional 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 expre

25、ssion; on the contrary, 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 undeve

26、loped areas will be 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 conv

27、ert them into Chinese 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 me

28、aning of verbs, if 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 ret

29、ains some properties 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.

30、Conversion into Chinese 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 N

31、ounBecause some English 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 pers

32、onified the absolute 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 an

33、d it therefore floats.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

34、样的生活。Here, “the rich” 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 Ch

35、inese Adjectivesi. 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 s

36、uch kind of nouns into 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 nat

37、ural effect. There 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 Chin

38、ese adjectives to modify 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

39、 make the Chinese version 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

40、 of English nouns into 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 adjective

41、s which modify the 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

42、, if translated into 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

43、说。Example 16:He dialed 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 i

44、n word classes. In 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 Ch

45、inese word of the same 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

46、of sentence components 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

47、 objects in English. 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 preposition 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.