翻译

Parts of Teaching Materials of Translation for International Business

Contents

Chapter I A Brief Introduction to Translation

Chapter Ⅱ Business English and Its Language Features Chapter Ⅲ. Criteria of Translation

Part I A brief Introducyion to Translation Standards Both at Home and Abroad

Part II Yan Fu and His Three-point Theory Part III Standard for Business English Translation Chapter Ⅳ The Process of Translation Part Ⅰ Process

Part Ⅱ Comprehension Part III Expression

Part Ⅳ. Multi-expressions

Chapter V Translation Techniques and Methods ? Part 1 Diction Part Ⅱ Extexsion Part III Conversion Part Ⅳ. Amplification Part V Omission Part VI Division

Part VII Translation of English Attributive Clauses

PartVIII Translation Techniques of English Passive Voice PartIX Translation of English Long Sentences

Part X English Business Abbreviations and Their Translation into Chinese

Part XI Translation of Figures

Part XII Translation of Practical Writing (Applied Translation)

Part XIII Translation of Organizations and Company Introduction Part XIV Translation of products descriptions Part XV Translation of Advertisements Part XVI Translation of Business Letters

Part XVII Translation of PR Documents and Business Reports Part XVIII Translation of Contracts

Chapter I A Brief Introduction to Translation I What Is Translation

Translation is,essentially,the faithful representation,in one language,of what is written or said in another language.By faithful

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representation ,it is meant that translating must aim primarily at reproducing the message rather than the keeping of the form of the orginal text.As English and Chinese belong to entirely different language families,there is a great discrepancy between them in cultural setting ,way of thinking,expressions,diction,sentence sructures ,sentence order,etc. For achieving achieving functional equivalence ,that is ,equality of meanings,it often requires adjustment of the orginal form.

e.g.公司简介,公司结构,业务范围,公司历程

Coporate Profile/About Us; Organization Chart; Major Businesses/Business Line; History Different languages have different ways of saying things.For achieving genuine equivalence,sometimes we have to transfer from one form into another.The above serves as a ready instance.

There is an hourly （1）shift from London to Paris （2）known as the Airbus （3）capable of seating 521 people.

从伦敦到巴黎的航线上（2）有一种称之为“空中公汽车”的客机，（3）能够乘坐521名乘客，（1）每小时一航班。

A simple sentence as it is,the original is a bit complicated in structure,containing a participial phrase and an adjective phrase carrying much information.As a Chinese sentence tends to be short and laconic,in translation it is impossible to keep the original structure but necessary to separate it into several parts.Besides, as emphasis falls on action(shift) in the original sentence which goes contrary to the usage of Chinese,so there should be a rearrangement of sentence order in the verion.

Matter can be turned into energy and energy , matter. 物质能够转换成能量，能量能够转换成物质。

You can find out the wave length if you know the frequency. 知道频率，就可以求出波长。 我今天准备吃食堂。

I’m going to have my meals in the dining hall.

In the above three examples, to reproduce the closest natural equivalent ,some adjustments ,including amplification,omission and conversion ,are needed. Types of translation: 1) according to scope full

partial translation2) according to basic methods

free literal

word-for-word translation ( foreignization、domestication ) 3) according to way of work

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translation translator interpretation interpreter 4) according to material

scientific literary

documentary translation

translation of practical writing(including Business English, Tourism English etc.)

5) linguistic elements

the original (source) target (receptor) language II . Translation is the combination of science and art Translation,on one hand,has much to do with linguistics,rhetorics,psychology,sociology,semiotics,etc,and should be governed by their rules.For instance,in doing translation we have to follow the principles and way of work of linguistics to study words and analyse structures.On another hand ,it seeks the help of persons’ inspiration,appreciation and artistic accomplishment.As a result of the above two factors,it can be seen that translation is no easy thing to do, requring painstaking efforts,even if what we translate is a simple sentence.

e.g. He sent me a note of welcome, as sunny as his face. 他送给我一封短信，对我表示欢迎；那信写得热情洋溢，一如其人。

A simple sentence as it is,it is not easy to understand it, including the real or deep meaning of “note”and “sunny”,as the former is a polysemous word and the later is a figurative one.We have to make sure the exact meaning of “note”(a short letter) according to the context and to dig out the extended meaning of “sunny”(warm) here.

Besides,we have also to comprehend the function of “of” in this sentence.

c.f. a book of mine; the city of New York; the overthrow of that reactionary government.

Ⅱ.)Effective (Meaningful) translation is possible because

A..human experience is much alike throughout the world .Everyone eats,sleeps,works,is related to families,experiences love,hatred,jealousy,etc,is capable of loyalty and friendship and employs many facial gestures which are almost universal (laughing,smiling,frowning,etc.) In fact,what people of different cultures have in common is far greater than what separates them from one another. That is,there is normal or standard behavior between languages. B.people tend to think much the same way though they have different cultures.They follow the same train of thought and try to be reasonable in writing or talk.They have the capacity to imagine what other people think and act, and

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C.different Languages have different forms,but they enjoy the same effect.In other words,different forms can be used to suggest the same object,ideas,etc.For example,the English word “school” and its Chinese equivalent “学校” are different in form but are used for expressing the same idea,namely,“a place for people,usually children,to learn.

Chapter Ⅱ Business English and Its Language Features I.What Is Business English?

The English concrened with various fields of commercial activities such as the technology transfer, foreign trade, the introduction of foreign investment, international financing, transnational tourism, international transportation, is as a whole called business English. Business English letters, contracts, telexes and telegrams, documents, advertisements all belong to this category. Business English is a branch of special English in use and an application of English in business occasion. It is classified by many linguists into English for Special Purposes (ESP).

II.Language Features of Business English

I).Business English mainly belongs to expository writing,giving explanation,illustration,classification,instruction definition,etc. and presenting information,facts,figures,numbers,terms,…being objective and impersonal

e.g.”Delivery date” means the second day of the deadline of the operation period.

“转让日期”指运行期最后一天的第二天.(definition)

A contract shall be an agreement whereby the parties establish ,change or terminate their civil relationship.

合同是当事人之间设立、变更、终止民事关系的协议。(definition)

Business is a combination of all these activities：production．distribution and sale，through which profit or economic surplus will be created.

商务是指生产、配送、销售等一切活动的组合，通过这些活动，创造利润和经济盈余。(definition)

The resulting General Ledger subsystem has four parts: entry processing, financial reporting , account detail inquiry and period end processing. 因而总帐的子系统包括四部分：记录处理、财务报告、帐户详细查询、期末处理。(classification)

Generally speaking,telegrams can be divided into two kinds:Plain Language Telegrams and Code Language Telegrams.

一般而言，电报可分为两种：明语电报和电码电报。(classification)

This contract is made out in duplicate in Chinese and in English Language ,one Chinese original copy and one English original copy for each party,both text being equally authentic.

本合同用中文和英文书就,一式二份,双方各执一份中文正本和一份英文正本。

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两种文本具有同等效力。(illustration)

In language ,there is the wide use of simple present tense,passive voice,“it”structure…e.g. It is held/suggested/admitted/acknowledged… It is expected that the Franchisee should understand and support all corporate goals.

期待特许加盟人理解、支持公司所有的目标 It is suggested that this year’s annual meeting of our company be put off till next month. 建议敝公司本年度年会延期至下月举行。 II).Being specialized

Business English is the combination of English and the knowledge of many branches of learning, such as marketing, economics, finance, accountancy and management,as a result of which there is a heavy use of related technical terms（including conversion of common words）. an outstanding cheque 未兑现支票

“Outstanding” in common English means “excellent” or “remarkable” ,but in financial English it suggests “unpaid”.The followings are similar examples.

futures /drugs/buy 期货、滞销货、便宜货

e.g. Force Majeure(不可抗力)，draft at sight（即期汇票），Letter of credit(信用证)，Bill of lading（提单），documents against acceptance(承兑交单)，Bill of exchange(汇票）fixed capital(固定资本) offer（发盘） ;a firm offer（实盘）;counter offer（还盘）

Quotation,price list, proforma invoice and so forth all be be used in an “offer”.

报价单，价格单，形式发票等都可以用作“发盘”。

offer(要约);offerer(要约人);offeree(受要约人);accept(承诺)；acceptor(承诺人)；acceptee(接受承诺人)

Being the best means ensuring that our owner/operators, employees, and suppliers reflect and represent the diverse populations McDonald’s serves around the world.

(成为最佳)还意味着确保我们的业主/经营者、雇员、供应商能折射出并代表麦当劳全球服务各式各样的人群状况。 III).Formal and standard in style

A.Being complete,long and complicated in sentence structure

e.g.With a view to expanding international economiccooperation and technological exchange, the People’ Republic of China permits foreign companies,enterprices,and other economic organizations or individuals to establish equity joint ventures together with Chinese companies , enterprises,or other economic organizations within the territory of the People’s Republic of China on the principle of equality and mutual benefit and subject to approval by the Chinese Government.

中华人民共和国为了扩大国际经济合作和技术交流，容许外国公司、企业和

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其它经济组织或个人，按照平等互利的原则，经中国政府批准，在中华人民共和国境内，同中国的公司、企业或其它经济组织共同举办合营企业。

c.f. I was walking by the Thames.Half past morning on an autumn day.Sun in a mist , like an orange in a fried fish shop.All bright below.Low tide, dusty water,and a crooked bar of straw, chicken-boxes,dirt and oil from mud to mud.Like a viper swimming in skim milk.The old serpent, symbol of love and nature.(from “The Horse’s Mouth”)

我沿着泰晤士河行走。一个秋日的早晨，已过一半时分。太阳蒙上了一层薄雾。像是炸鱼店里的一只橙子。下面整个世界一片明亮。落潮了，河水布满了灰尘，水上漂着一只歪歪扭扭的稻草把，几只鸡笼子。油污蠕动着流过一滩滩烂泥。宛如脱脂乳里游动的一条蝰蛇。这个撒旦，大自然和爱的象征。 The above two examples stand in striking contrast in language style.The former belongs to typical contractual language,being long and complicated , containing a lot of information with the basic structure (the underlined part) expressing main idea and several prepositional phrases and one adjective phrase used as adverbials serving “purpose, manner and conditions”.But the latter is clearly common English,used as literary language.The whole passage ,except for the first sentence,belongs to nominal structure,being incomplete and short ,with emphasis on images.

B.Use of formal structures

e.g.If Party B should fail to commit the Contract…Should /In case Party B fail to commit the Contract… ,which is including

a.the use of fixed sentence patterns

e.g..IN WITNESS WHEROF, this contract has been executed by the parties as of the date first above written. 本合同于合同签署之日生效，以此为证。 由__与__同意按下列条款,签订本合同。

The Contract is made by and between___and__according to the terms and conditions below.

根据__,本着__,经过__,双方同意___。兹订立本合同。

In accordance with___,adhering to ____and through____,both parties agree____.The Contract is worked out thereunder. 我们已收悉你们第A3481号信用证，非常感谢。

We are in receipt of/admit /acknowledge /receipt of/have received (with thanks)your L/C No.A3481 with thanks.

我们已收到用以支付你们第162号订单的第D76385号信用证。

We have received your L/C No.D 76385 covering your Order No.162. 我们很高兴收到你们第712号订单，再次订购电动打字机。

We are pleased to have received your Order No.712 for a further supply of electric typewriters. 随函附上发票和提单。

We are enclosing the invoice and the bill of lading.

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一接到你们回信，我们即电报开出信用证。

Upon receipt of your reply we will open an L/C by cable. 根据贵方5月6日来函，我方乐意订购下列货物。

With reference to/ Regarding/In reply to /Referring to your letter of May 6,we are pleased to give an order for the following goods.

鉴于甲、乙双方就合作建设宁津县又一春生物化工有限公司（位于指定地点山东省德州市）以玉米为原料10万吨/年无水酒精装置中脱水装置工程达成一致。根据《中华人民共和国合同法》及有关规定，为明确双方在项目承包建设过程中的权利、义务和经济责任，经双方协商同意签订本合同。双方达成协议如下：Whereas, there is an agreement reached between the first Party and the second Party concerning their cooperative construction of dehydration project in the installation of one hundred thousand tons/year absolute alcohol production with corn as raw materials ,at the designated location of Ningjin Youyichun Biochemical Co.,Ltd.,Dezhou, Shangdong Province. In accordance with The Contract Law of the People’s Republic of China and other regulations and rules concerned, and for ascertaining the rights ,obligations and economic liabilities of parties in the process of contracting this project construction, both Parties have agreed to sign this contract with the terms and conditions stipulated as follows:

b. the use of phrases instead of subordinate clauses:

e.g. an agreement which has been approved / approved by/ under the approval of / subject to the approval by / subjected for the approval of the government

c.use of formal words and expressions

Formal(Legal) words Ordinary words commit/perform carry out /do commence begin with regard to about anticipate expect terminate end surrender give certify prove notify tell complete finish abbreviate shorten category class

participate take part in comply with stick to evidence proof illustrate /demonstrate show witness see utilize use residence house

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be of the opinion think encounter meet cf. Mr. and Mrs. Fernando Smith request the pleasure of your company at dinner

on Saturday ,the fourth of July at half past seven o’clock Seabreez Edgartown. Massachusetts R.S.V.P BOX636 Edgartown, Massachusetts02539 凡纳得.史密斯夫妇敬备小酌,恭请光临 7月4日(星期六)下午七时半 麻省埃得加镇海风酒楼 供侯回音 636信箱

埃得加镇,麻省02539 Dear Mr. And Mrs. White , Will you have dinner with us at our house on Saturday,March the first ,at seven o’clock?

It has been a long time since we had the pleasure of seeing you ,and we do hope you will find it possible to be with us. Sincerely yours John Smith 亲爱的怀特先生及夫人:

请于3月1日(星期六)七点来我家共进晚餐。

我们已好久未见面了，非常希望你们能与我们相聚。 您们忠诚的

约翰 .史密斯

If we compare the above two examples,we can see the first is a formal invitation,with rigid form and the use of refined words and expressions such as “request,pleasure, your company,R.S.V.P.”,being standard and diginfied .While the second ,serving as a note, obviously belongs to informal language . This is including

a).the use of archaic words such as

hereafter=after this(自此，今后)、hereby=by this means(特此，兹)、herein=in this(此中，于此)、hereinafter=later in this Contract(在下文中)、hereof=of this(在本文中)，thereto=to that(另外，随附)、thereof=of that(其中，它的)、 whereas=since(鉴于)、whereby=according to which(凭借)、whereupon=hence(因此，于是)

e.g.“Products” means any and all agricultural products or any products derived therefrom.

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“产品”一词，是指一切农产品或由此衍生的任何产品。 b). prepositional phrases such as

with a view to (with the aim of), with respect to ( concerning) , in line with ( according to) ,with reference to (about ) , for the purpose of (for), in the event of(if),in case of(if)e.g.In case of any divergence of interpretation,the Chinese text shall prevail. 若对解释产生异议,以中文文本为准. IV).Tight in logic e.g. Dear Sirs,

Our Order No. 2468 Your S/C No. 9501

We wish to refer to our Order No. 2468 and your S/C No. 9501, in which you promised to ship the goods we ordered in the middle of June and send them to Shanghai Port by the end of June.

But we’d like to call your attention to the fact that up to now no news has come from you bout the shipment under the captioned Order and S/C. As we said, July is the season for this commodity in your market, and the time of delivery is a matter of great importance to us. The delay of your shipment made us lose US $200,000.

Under such circumstance, we have to lodge a claim of US $100,000 with you.

We feel sure that you will give our claim your most favorable consideration and let us have your settlement at an early date. yours faithfully

In the above example, the first paragraph mentions the commitment of the supplier. The second paragraph states that the other party didn’t implement the commitment. The third paragraph appeals that the violation of the contract has brought a great loss to the writer. The fourth paragraph puts forward the claim. The last paragraph expresses the writer’s wish that the writer wants to get compensation. Applying this “problem-solution pattern”, namely synthesizing facts in the first three paragraphs so as to lead a claim and an early settlement in the last two paragraphs, the writer weaves the letter with clear sequence and strong logic of cause and effect.

V).Use of plain,accurate language

Words in commercial correspondence should be common and easy to understand. The language should be clear and concise. Try to compare the following:

c.f.With refernce to your request for an extension on your note under date of February 7,we have considered the matter carefully and are pleased to tell you that we will be willing to allow you an additional 90 days to make payment on your note.

关于你的要求延期支付2月7日到期的贷款一事,我们很高兴地通知您:在对这件事情慎重考虑之后,我们同意多给您90天的宽限期来支付款项.

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We are pleased to allow you an additional 90 days to pay your note dated February 7.

我们很乐意多给您90天的时间来支付2月7日到期的贷款.

As Business English involves ironed-hard facts, data, clear duties or obligations or definite stipulations, it admits no vague language so as to avoid any misunderstanding to the parties concerned, as a result of which literal words instead of figurative words are widely used in Business English except for ads.. .

We are delighted to receive your letter of November 18 asking whether we can supply you with Art. No 6024.

很高兴收到你方案11月18 日来函,询问我方可否供应6024货号商品. if/should/in the event … 条款

terms (, provisions) and conditions 从四月一日起到十月二十日止这一其间交货.

The period for shipment begins on April 1 and ends October 20,(both dates inclusive).

But in some cases ,for example, in adds,figurative words or colorful words are sometimes needed.

From sharp minds,come Sharp products 夏普产品,源自智慧头脑 东南西北中,好酒在张弓

East or west, Zhanggong is the best

( note the use of eye-catching words here) Be elegant and with nice personality. 举止优雅,性情温和。

A stable personality and high sense of progress and responsibility. 性格稳定，富有进取心，责任心强。

Excellent presentation and communication skills. 具有良好的表述及沟通能力。

Have problem solving/ analytical skills. 具有分析及解决问题的能力。

Have a good command of business English ,and be experienced in computer operation.

精通商务英语，能熟练使用电脑。

Skilled at handling commercial correspondence. 能熟练处理商务信函

Have basic English and interpersonal skills. 具有基本英语能力及人际关系技巧。

Have experience in international sales and ability to produce results. 具有国际销售经验及创造佳绩之能力。

?an accurate ,dynamic and progressive person ?一位办事灵敏、积极肯干、并富有上进心的人 ?be open-minded, initiative and drive

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?个性开朗，积极主动，充满干劲

?Computer operating skill is advantageous/a plus/preferred/preferable/ helpful/an (distinct) advantage. ?有电脑操作技术者尤佳

?The main qualities required are preparedness to hard work ,ability to learn,ambition and good health.

?主要必备素质是吃苦耐劳，善于学习，具有雄心壮志，并且身体健康。 ?good analytical mind to solve complex issues ?具有良好的解决复杂问题的能力。

a complete range of specifications; complete in specifications 赶超世界先进水平

catch up with and surpass advanced world level 花色繁多

a wide selection of colours and designs 风格新颖品种多样

fashionable styles, rich varieties 货源充足

sufficient supplies; ample supply 久负盛名

with a long standing reputation 交货及时

timely delivery guaranteed 价格公道

reasonable price 技艺精湛

fine craftsmanship 经济耐用

economy and durability 具有中国风味

possess Chinese flavours 居同类产品之首

rank first among similar products 品质优良

excellent in quality 品种齐全

complete range of articles 款式多样

various styles 欢迎选购，欢迎光临 Visitors are welcome. 欢迎惠订

Orders are welcome. 欢迎垂询

Enquiries are cordially welcome.

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和气生财

Friendliness is conductive to business success. 童叟无欺

Neither the old nor the young will be cheated. 防水、防震、防磁

Waterproof,shock-resistant and anti-magnetic ( note the use of eye-catching words here) But even on these occasions we should avoid the use of too much exaggerated and highly-sounded words. VI).Use of reduplications

Another language features in Business English ,particularly in legal English,lies in the wide use of two synonyms or near synonyms as relatively set word groups for emphasis or for making the language strict.For example:

If the contractor shall not duly perform and observe all the terms, provisions, conditions, and stipulations of the said contract, this obligation shall be null and void but otherwise shall be and remain in full force and effect.In this sentence, several groups of synonyms are used together to emphasize the strictness of a legal clause. “terms, provisions, conditions, stipulations” are all synonyms, meaning “contract clause and prescript” (合同的条款及规定). “null” and “void” are synonyms, meaning “ be of no effect” (无效). Besides, “be” and “remain”, Other examples:

make and sign(签订)，all and any(所有)，each and every(每一个)，approve and accept(同意接受)，by and between(与)，fulfill and perform(履行), save and except(除了)，final and conclusive(最终)，etc.

During the term of this Agreement ,Party A shall undertake ,renew and maintain for its benfit and interest ,and at its own cost and expense ,the following primary insurance policies.

在本协议期间，甲方应为自身利益自费购买、续买及保持下列主要保险。 Each Party undertakes with the other Party that it shall treat as strictly confidential all information received or obtained bt it or its employers, agents or advisers as a result of entering into or performing this Agreement and that it shall not at any time hereafter make use of or disclose or divulge to any person any such information.

各方向另一方承诺，其将对因签订或履行本协议而由其或其雇员、代理人或顾问得到或获得的所有信息严格保密，且在此后任何时候均不使用或向任何人披露或泄露任何该等信息。

VII).Employment of polite formula

Common English pays attention to intimacy and pleasure in social contact, so it needs little polite formula. But in order to achieve high efficiency of business contact in Business English, courtesy and caring should be required, and also excessive intimacy should be avoided.

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Therefore, “Business English forms a set of formulated language

acceptable in the international---- polite formula.”(Ellis, M. Johnson, Teaching Business English: 8) For example:

a. Polite formula for expressing acknowledgement:

We shall appreciate your… 我们将甚为感谢…Please accept my sincere appreciation for you .请接受我方对您的真挚谢意。

b.Polite formula for expressing regret:

With much regret 十分遗憾I owe you an apology 我应该向你道歉This also includes a sincere You-attitude in business correspondence , which means that a commercial text must be sincere, tactful, thoughtful and appreciative. Compare :

1. No.1 Your letter is not clear at all. I can’t understand it. 2. No.2 If I understand your letter clearly……

No.2 avoids irritating, offensive and belittling statement(the use of euphemism).

c.f. I’m not satisfied with it.

I don’t think I’m satisfied with it. We don’t think we’re satisfies with it. Other polite formula:

a.Use of simple past tense such as “could /would/you…?I wondered…”e.g.Could you reduce the price? 您可以把价格降一降吗？ b.Use of psssive voice

It was considered a mistake to put off shipment wantonly. 任意拖延装运时间是错误的。 c. Use of subjunctive mood

Were it not for your manager ,we shouldn’t have missed the first vessel. 要不是你们经理，我们不会错过第一条船的。

d. Use of “not always/ quite / really/ particularly …”The question was not always with you. 你不会总碰到这种问题的。

The products are not particularly good.On the whole,commercial English shares seven Cs’:completeness,clearness,conciseness,correctness,consideration,conc-reteness and courtesy.

Chapter Ⅲ. Criteria of Translation

Part I: A brief Introducyion to Translation Standards Both at Home and Abroad Early in the Tang Dynasty the learned monk xuan zhang designed criteria of translation with emphasis placed on accuracy and general Knowledge. In the Qing Dynasty, Yen Fu established the three-character standard in translation “faithfulness, expressiveness and elegance” . After the May

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4th Movement, Lu Xun proposed “faithfulness(信)” and “smoothness(顺)” as the criteria of translation. After liberation Fu lei put forward “seeking after being alike in spirits not in appearance”, and Qian zhongshu “transfiguration” as translation standard respectively . In the last decade of the 18th century,Alexander Fraser Tytler,professorof Edinburgh University , laid down three fundamentals by which a

translation should be made or judged.They were (1) A translation should give a complete transcript of the ideas of the original work,(2) the style and manner of writing should be of the same character as that of the original and ,(3) A translation should have all the ease of original composition. Eugene.A.Nida, a very famous translation theoretician in the modern world, suggests “equivalence”, that is, “equality of meaning” as a rule to go by in translation.

Part II Yan Fu and His Three-point Theory Ⅰ. A few words about Yan Fu

There has been a large number of translations of Western works,mostly thrillers and romances,running high in the book market of shanghai in 1880s,but the literat took little notice at first.Their interest was aroused only when one man of their own breed came on the scene, that is,Yen Fu.Yan Fu was born in 1654 and died in 1921.He came from an intellectual family in Fujian Province and received education from 1867-71.In 1871 he went to England to be trained as a naval was no solution to the problem facing China.In 1879 he returned home to take up political journalism,founding in 1897 a periodical called Guowen in Tienjin,which published serially his own translations.Ⅱ.His aim in translation To introduce a new ideology.So the books he translated were the great basic books of modern Western thought,which shaped the efficient capitalist society.He was the first person who tried to introduce classic works of capitalism into China in a systematic way.Ⅲ.The Books he translated <<天演论>>(1905)(Evolution and Ethics and Other Essays)99 pages together. <<原富>>(1901-1902)(An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations)

<<法意>>(1904-1909))L’esprit deslois)<<群学肄宫>>(1903)(The Study of Sociology)<<群己权界论>>(1907)(On Liberty)<<社会通诠>>(1904)(A History of Politics)

Ⅳ.Some Features of translations

e.g. It may be safely assumed that two thousand years ago,before Caesar set foot in Southern Britain,the whole countryside,visible from the windows of the room in which I write was in what is called “the state of Nature”.(From “Evolution...”by Huxley)

严复译：赫胥黎独处一室之中。在英伦之南，背山而面野。槛外诸景，历历如在几下。乃悬想两千年前，当罗马大将恺彻未到时，此间有何景物？计惟有

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天造草味，人工未施。 This rendering ,if translated back into English,would read as the following. Haxley sits alone in a room, at a place south of London,with hills at his back and fields before him.From the window he commands a clear view,seeing everything as though they were on his desk.His thoughts carry him back to 2000 thousand years ago, when the Roman general Caesar has not yet arrived.What remains here?There’s nothing but“the state of Nature.” Analysis of Yan Fu’ version: A: Assume the form of classical Chinese (c.f. vernacular Chinese) B: Appeal to free translation

If we compare the two,we’ll see that Yen Fu shakes the whole passage loose and rearrange it,following not the English sentence order but structuring it the Chinese way---note the use of short sentences and the absence of syntactic words,which is characteristic of the Chinese Language. But,on another hand, some parts in Yen Fu’s version, go for away from the original, which is not permitted.

C:He is not afraid of coining new terms when called for. e.g. the state of Nature 天造草味logic名学nerve 涅伏nature性 pure reason清新之理 His translation of Darwin’s Key phrase “natural selection”as “物竞天择”has come to stay. D: There is a certain tendency in Yen Fu’s rendering towards dramatization. In the original Huxley opens the chapter ponderbously and impersonally, with the help of impersonal “it” as subject, passive voice, the use of stative verbs instead of active ones and simple present tense. But the translation is more lively, like the opening of a historical account as the result of the use of active verbs and short sentences. The switch from the first person “I” in Huxley’s original to the third person “Huxley” in the translation is done to conform with the stylistic requirement of classical Chinese prose.(Ancient historiand in China invariably uses the third person in reference to themselves, particularly at the head of a passage. e.g.太史公曰，臣光曰，etc.Yen Fu’s dramatization is aimed at following the writing style of Sima Qian the historian and hightening the historical sense. So he seemed to seek after being alike in spirit not in appearance.

Modification: 完全可以设想,两千年前凯撒尚未抵达英国南部之时，从我从事写作的窗口望过去，整个乡间尚处于所谓的“原始状态”之中。……

Ⅴ: His translation theory (three-point theory)译事三难信达雅。求其信已大难矣。顾信矣子达，虽译尤不译也。则达尚焉。 Translation has to do three difficult thing, to be faithful,expressive and elegant.It is difficult enough to be faithful to the original, and yet, if a translation is not expresseve, it is tantamount to having no translation. Hence expressiveness should also be required.Here we have the most influential translation theory in modern china, which has been quoted and requited by nearly every writer or translatior. This theory, it seems to us , shares the following advantages.A.Becomprehensive,concise and to the

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point;B.Make clear which comes the first, which the second. Some people hold that in Yen Fu’s theory he lays a particular stress on “expressiveness” and sets “faithfulness” and “expressness” against each other. But, in fact, this charge is not true. It seems to us that Yen Fu’s words are just something which he expressed in translation. He only stresses that translation is no easy thing. He doesn’t create contradictions between “信” and “达”. This may find proof in the following passage: “至原文词理本深，难以共喻，则当前后引衬，以显其意。为此经营，皆所以为达。为达即所以为信也。”“As the meaning of some words in the original are difficult to be understood by all, so in translation modification and amplification are needed so as to make them clear. All this aims at expressiveness, namely,faithfulness.”As far as “elegance” is concerned, perhaps, it doesn’t mean, as has often been taken to mean, beautification, for obviously it would be quite inappropriate to give elegance to a piece of writing which is in the original language inelegant, but signifies to “express the original writer’s idea better” (“实则精理微言”) in the words of his own. As he holds“subtle ideas are better expressed in the vocabulary and syntax of pre-Han language than those of the vulgar writing of today”（“用汉以前字法，句法，则为达易。用近世利俗文字，则求达难”） He also uses classical Chinese as sugar coated on pills to appeal the appetite of readers to swallow the pills willingly. Part III Standard for Business English Translation Faithfulness, idiomaticness and consistency Ⅰ. Faithfulness

The translation of business English is always scientific . That’s to say, the translation of business English should be always reflecting exactly what the original text is talking about, giving the exact information, accurate facts and relative regulations and laws to the readers.

Ⅰ).Significance

Business English is a language characterized by its accuracy, exactness and full of information. What’s more, honesty is the most important principle in business transaction. So it is not allowed to make any mistake or misunderstanding in this process of translation.

That is ,no matter whether from the aspect of the features of business English, from the principle of business transaction, or from the definition and purpose of translation,faithfulness is the basic

requirement a translator has to reach in business English translation. In a word,faithfulness is the life of Business English translation . Without it our translation means nothing. Ⅱ).Content (to be faithful to what ) A .Information or Meanings

乙方应提前10天向甲方确报散客的抵达日期(即入住日期)、房数及天数。 B should send A detailed information of guests (date of arrival,number

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of rooms needed,nights)ten days prior to the arrival.

A simple sentence as the original is,attention should be paid to the complete transfer of all information in translation.

It is understood and agreed that each of the parties hereto is an independent contractor and that neither party Is ,nor shall be considered to be ,an agent,a distributor,fiduciary or representative of the other.Neither party shall act or represent itself ,directly or by implication,as an agent of the other or in any manner assume or create any obligation on behalf of ,or in the name of ,the other.

双方理解并同意，合同各方均为独立承包人，任何一方不是、亦不应被视为另一方的代理人、经销商、受托人或代表。任何一方不得直接或暗示其作为另一方或以另一方的名义承担或产生任何义务。

For accurate rendering of this sentence,it is essential to keep the differentiatioin of “is(present state)” and “shall be (the idea of will)”,“on behalf of(as the representative of)”and “in the name of (with the authority of)” as well as the exact meanings of “contractor( firm that enters into a contract)”,“agent（aparty acting on behalf of）”,“distributor（a wholesaler engaged in the distribution of a category of goods）”,“fiduciary(trustee)”and “representative(deputy)”.

This Agreement shall take effect on the Effective Date and shall continue for a period of ten(10)years .This Agreement shall be automatically renewed for one-year terms thereafter unlrss and untill terminated by either Party hereto by giving six(6)month’s written notice to the other.

本协议自生效日起生效，有效期为十（10）年。此后，除非一方提前六（6）个月向另一方发出终止本协议的书面通知，本协议逐年自动延长一（1）年。 In the above example,“for one-year terms”does not mean “一年期限” but “a succesion of one-year term ”. To come up to this criterion in translation of BE, two important aspects should draw our attention. One is accurate and exact choice of words in the translation of technical terms and some key words in BE because these words have strict legal definition. For example, the English equivalent for “独占区域”is exclusive territory, a term often found in BE for know-how licensing, which means that the licensor shall not grant like contracts for know-how licensing to any third party in the territory and even the licensor shall not employ such know-how in the territory. Take another example. We associate formal with “正式的”but “正式批准”should be translated into official approval while “正式签署”should be rendered into duly sign. The former means authoritative whereas the latter denotes that the legal representatives or the duly authorized representatives of the parties concerned sign in an appropriate and due way.

The other aspect where accuracy should be attached much more importance to is the translation of figures, such as time, amount and quantity. Careless or wrong translation of such figures may bring about inestimable

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losses. In translation of figures special attention should be paid to the translation of amount. As a rule, the English translation of amount should have numeral and word expressions at the same time even when there is no word figure in the original. This will reduce the chance for errors. For example:

聘方须每月付给受聘方美元500元整。 Party A shall pay Party B a monthly salary of US$500 (SAY FIVE HUNDRED US DOLLARS ONLY).

It is necessary to point out that by equivalence in translation we mean keeping the information and meanings of the original .And owing to diffrences in way of thinking ,wording and structure between English and Chinese ,for achieving equivalence often we have to convert the original word forms. e.g.不动产

fixed assets

?unmovable property 温饱

to make both ends meet ?to have warmth and food 休息室

? rest-room/rest room/resting place

lobby/lounge 试衣间

?clothes trial room dressing room 自动门

?self-turning door

automatic(revolving/swinging) door ?营业时间

?Operation Time

Business Hours/Open Hours Avoiding pseudo-equivalence:

We will seize every opportunity to innovate and lead the industry on behalf of our customers.

?我们将代表顾客抓住每一时机开拓创新。

我们将代表顾客抓住每一时机开拓创新，引领行业潮流。

In this example ,“开拓创新”only covers the meaning of “innovate” but gives up the signification of “lead the industry”.

承担所有由此引起的法律和经济上的责任?To bear all legal and economic responsibilities arising from

To bear all legal and financial responsibilities which may arise. Though they are not synonyms ,“economic” and “finacial” are both turned into “经济的”.However, as the original belongs to contractual language ,in line with the contex “经济的” here should refer to monetary affair,that is, “finacial”.Besides,“arising from” expresses a

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“certainty” while “may arise” suggests“a possibility”.Of course,the original phrase shares the sense of the attributive clause rather than the participial phrase.

从4月1日起到10月20日止这一其间内交货.

?Time of delivery begins on April 1 and ends on October 20.

Time of delivery begins on April 1 and ends on October 20,both dates inclusive.

The first version leaves unclear whether the time of delivery includes or excludes April 1 and October 20.

乙方没有按合同规定及时把货备妥,致使甲方派去装货的船只滞期48小时.

?Party B failed to get the goods ready for loading in accordance with the time of shipment as stipulated in the Contract. Therefore it resulted in time delay for the vessel sent by Party A for 48 hours.

Party B’s failure to get the goods ready for loading in accordance with the time of shipment as stipulated in the Contract has resulted in time on demurrage for the vessel sent by Party A for 48 hours

In the first version ,the use of simple past tense ,which indicates a finished action or state having nothing to do with the present,may easily render this article to invalid. To be faithful to the whole text

Translation unit usu. should be: sentence B. style of times

nation

writers

language elegance(high-flown style) formal informal slang vulgar

e.g.

独立寒秋?I stand alone in the cold autumn. Against the chill of autumn I stand alone.

The second version better keeps the original positive image by using a pun “against (which may suggests double meanings here:opposed;with…as the background)” and a parallel structure.

The banker was going over the account books.(Pompeii) ?银行主/钱庄老板在查看账本儿.

“钱庄老板”is faithful to the original in stlye of times. 三个臭皮匠胜过一个诸葛亮。

Two heads bare better than one.

Three cobblers with their wits combined equal Chukeh liang the master mind.

The second translation is better because it keeps not only the meaning of the original but also its cultural setting.

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Send cools to Newcastle.

将煤送到纽卡斯去——多此一举. ?鲁班门前弄斧.

Talk about the devil,and the devil will appear. 说魔鬼魔鬼就到。 ？说曹操曹操就到。

The second translation belongs to a poor one as it enforces the culture of one language upon that of another. death

死亡，故去，过了，没了，去世，逝世，弃世，即世，下世，谢世，毕命，绝命，送命，丧命，丧生，灭亡，灭折，归西，长眠，见背，弃养，物故，跨鹤，羽化登仙，入土，归道山，大去，大行，崩，驾晏，寂，灭，圆寂，见阎王，一命呜呼，呜呼哀哉，翘辫子，见上帝，见马克思，上八宝山，去火葬场，上西天，牺牲了，光荣了，献身了，英勇就义了……

die, pass away, breathe one’s last, expire, pay one’s debt of nature, go to the west, cease to think, depart to world of shadows, drop off the hooks.

Mr.and Mrs.Hurst requests the pleasure of your company at dinner on Sunday,the fifth of June at half past six at Ocean Hotel.

黑斯特及夫人谨定于6月5日(星期日)六点半在远洋宾馆举行晚宴,敬请光临. We should be pleased if you would offer.

如蒙报盘，将不胜感激。(收悉,乞谅,见告,为盼,赐复……) Tide’s in, dirt is out 汰渍到,污垢逃

Sweet,Smart & Sassy 蜜、美、迷—advertisement for an American orange __sunkist(sun kiss it,新奇士). Ⅱ.Idiomaticiness

It means that what we translate should be in keeping with the usage of the target language in wording,collocation and structure,which requires that in our translation no inventions should be made and the language should be concise,professional , clear in meaning and strong in logic.

e.g. 1. He bent solely upon profit. 他只屈身于利润之前。 只有利润才能使他低头。 他唯利是图。

2．The carp originates in Africa and has been transplanted to beds of waters in China’s inland provinces. 那种鲤鱼发源于非洲， 在非洲繁殖， 早初产于非洲。 现在在中国内地几省的水乡移植， 接种成活， 安家落户。

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We wish to cover the goods against All Risks. 我们希望货物能避免所有风险. 我们拟对该货投保全险.

We are able to quote you very advantageous terms. 我们能够引用你方非常有利的条件. 我们能够向你方报相当优惠的价格.

Most little shops have been absorbed into big business. 大多数小店已被大企业吸收了. 大多数小店已被并入大公司. Ⅲ.Consistency

James, Martin, a senior American lawyer, gives out his suggestions on contract drafting in his Fifty Tips for Writing the 21st Century Contract That Stays Out of Court published in the Florida Bar Journal of November, 2000. One of his proposals goes as follows: Be consistent in using words. If you refer to the subject matter of a sales contract as “goods”, use that term throughout the contract; do not alternately call them “goods” and “items”. Maintaining consistency is more important than avoiding repetition. Don’t worry about putting the reader to sleep; worry about the opposing lawyer a year from now hunting for ambiguities to get your contract into court.

By consistency we mean that in translation we should keep the same form of a name,conception and term as well as the style of the whole text.That is, during the whole process of translation for international business, consistency in translation, especially of technical terms and key words should be kept on the grounds that professional terms have well-established effect and unique definition after experiencing long-term employment and that key words usually act as a thread to link different contractual clauses in such a way to keep the contract in clear thought. Let us read the following item to see how consistency is kept:

Party A transfers and grants to Party B the exclusive and perpetual right to manufacture and sell the licensed products in Chinese Territories in accordance with the technology. Such transfer and grant shall cover all elements of the technology relating to the licensed products as of the effective date of this Contract. In addition, Party A shall furnish Party B information concerning the sources of material supply with respect to the manufacture of the licensed products which are not owned by Party A but which are used by Party A in its manufacturing of the licensed products, so that Party B will be able to purchase such materials directly from the said sources of supply.

甲方同意向乙方转让在中国地区内按该技术生产、出售此授权产品的永久独有权。自本合同生效之日起，此项转让包括与此授权生产产品有关的所有技术要素。此外，甲方向乙方提供有关非甲方所拥有但生产此授权产品所使用的原料的供应渠道方面信息，以使乙方能直接从上述供应渠道购买该原料。

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In this paragraph, the licensed products is repeated four times, creating a tight chain of words to bind the paragraph without causing any possible disputes.

By consistency we also mean ,if possible, keeping the same structural forms in translation so as to achieve coherence of the text.for example:

As we begin a new era in McDonald’s, it is important that we define our vision for the future … where we are heading … what we plan to achieve … and how we will get there together.当我们开创麦当劳公司新纪元之际，重要的是要描绘我们未来的发展前景，诸如我们的前进方向，规划达到何种成就，如何共同达到这一目标等等。 In the above original sentence,as the object “our vision in the future” in the subjective clause belongs to a nominal structure,in translation ,for keeping the consistency of this structural

conception,we change the following appositive clauses in the original into nominal structures .

The principle of consistency can also serve as a guide to understanding the exact meaning of related words. e. g. Nomenclature 1.Read-out

---Shows hour,minute,second,AM/PM,year,month,date and day when this unit is in the regular timekeeping mode.

---Shows the time being measured either in stopwatch or in timer mode. ---Shows each entry and result,suppressing unnecessary O’s(zeroes) in

calculating mode.

2.Reset Button

---Used for setting calendar and time. 3.Time Key (symbolized by TIME) …

名称

1.显示器(或:读数仪)

---本 机(本装置)处于正规计时模式时,可显示时、分、秒、上午、下午、年、月、日、星期几。

---处于跑表模式或定时模式时，可显示所测量的时间。

---处于计算模式时，可逐个显示输入数字（所记入的数字）和结果数字（所求的数字）；不必要的“零”不予显示。 2.复位按钮 ---用于定日历或定时间。

3. 时间按钮(标记为Time)

“Nomenclature”can suggest “name of something or name something” and “read-out”“an action or an element of the calculator”.As the subtitles in the original are all elements of the calculator,in line with the principle of consistency “nomenclature” here should refer to the first meaning and “read-out” the second .

e.g.1. Full Joint Venture - This method of operation is most common in

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Asia. We select a local business person and organize a company with him/her. We then train that person with the goal of making him/her the managing director of the country or market.

全面合资经营——这一经营方法在亚洲最常见。我们选择一位当地商人，与之组建公司，然后对他进行培训，目的是使他成为那一地区或市场的执行董事。 2.Operations Joint Venture - This concept is most common in the USA. We have generally selected ex-company employees to be our partners and we have organized partnerships to operate restaurants.

合作经营—这一概念在美国最常见。通常选择前公司雇员作合伙人，构成合伙关系经营餐厅 . 3.We are glad to learn that China is encouraging to establish equity joint ventures with foreign firms.

我们很高兴得知中国正鼓励与外国公司建立合股式合资企业。

4.As one of the modes of international co-operation and technological exchange ,joint ventures are popular in our country nowadays. 合资经营作为国际经济合作和技术交流的一种方式，在我国现今很普遍。

“Joint venture” can refer to an organization or a way of doing business.As in the above 1,2 and 4 examples, “joint venture” is in concord with “method,concept and mode” respectively,we can infer that its specific meaning should be “a way of doing business”.And as in example 3,“joint ventures” are related with “firms”，according to comprehension competence this phrase should mean an organization.

Chapter Ⅳ The Process of Translation

Part Ⅰ Process ?A---------B

Not a linear one but a v-shaped one

the the target

original text

text

the content

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