英汉互译讲义.docVIP

Unit 1 Introduction: Translation and Translation Techniques 1. Important Role of Translation A means of communication. The earliest translation can be traced back to about 3000 years ago, the translation of Bible into Greek in the west. In the west, literary translation can be traced back to 300 BC; In China, recorded translation activities are even earlier, dating from the Zhou Dynasty (1100 BC); Not until recent centuries, especially by the end of the 19th century did systematic study of translation get underway. Examples to show the importance of translation Good examples: Coca Cola hacker Safeguard puma Bad examples: menu laser nylon During World War II, the mistranslation of the Japanese telegram sent to Washington just before the bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. Potsdam Proclamation (July 26th, 1945. An ultimatum demanding the immediate unconditional surrender of the armed forces of Japan) Japan’s attitude to the Proclamation: ?默殺” (mokasutu) 1) keep silent sophisticatedly; 2) ignore, despise. The translator took the second meaning, leading to the bombing in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. A-Bomb: “Little Boy” (on August 6th, 1945); “Fat Man” (August 9th, 1945). On Sept. 2nd, 1945, Japan declared surrender. 2. Nature and Scope of Translation What is translation? Newmark: ...translation is first a science, which entails the knowledge and verification of the facts and the language that describes? HSecondly, it is a skill, which calls for appropriate language and acceptable usage; thirdly, an art, which distinguishes good from undistinguished writing and is the creative, the intuitive, sometimes the inspired, level of the translation; lastly, a matter of taste, where argument ceases, preferences are expressed, and the variety of meritorious translation is the reflection of individual differences. J. Catford: The replacement of textural material in one language (SL) by equivalent te