《translation+exam》.doc

1.What are the differences between traditional and contemporary translation studies? Translation studies happened to fall into two categories: Traditional translation studies Aim: the faithful representation in one language of what is written and said in another language. Base: linguistics, semantics, pragmatics, symbology, syntax, stylistic, rhetoric. Perspective: comparison of two different languages Focus: focus on the source language Contemporary translation studies Aim: Exploring in turning one cultural connotation in one language into another cultural form. Base: culture, history, religion, anthropology, sociology Perspective: comparison of two different cultures and literatures Focus: focus on target language Transitional Period The division line is about 1970’s. The turning point between the two periods is called cultural turn . 1.replacing the traditional literal translation with cultural translation and interpretation; 2. replacing the passive conversion with the active, dynamic interpretation and reconstruction. 2.Relation between translation, language and culture Language exists in culture. In different cultures, even though the image is the same, the cultural connotations are different. Eugene Nida’s classification 1. Ecology 生态学 2. Material Culture 物质文化 3. Social Culture 社会文化 4. Religious Culture 宗教文化 5. Linguistic Culture 语言文化 1.Ecology all at sea/ burn one’s boats/ sail before the wind/ keep one’s head above water/ spend money like water “…真是 ‘天有不测风云，人有旦夕祸福’…” 杨译：“…Truly, ‘storm gather without warning in nature, and bad luck befalls men overnight’…” 霍译：“… I know ‘the weather and human life are both unpredictable’…” dog / wolf / dragon 2. Material Culture 物质文化 breakfast “…‘巧媳妇难为无米之炊’,叫我怎么办呢？ 杨译：“…Even the cleverest housewife can’t cook a meal without rice. What do you