An analysis on the use of the skills of the anmplification in english to chinese translation英语专业论文.doc

AbstractTranslation is an important means of communication among different countries. It is a language activity to use one language to express the complete and accurate contents of another language. As English and Chinese are two entirely different languages and each has its own historical and cultural background. Therefore, many ideas, idiomatic expressions and shorthand words, etc. that are well understood in the country of their origin can hardly make sense to people abroad. In this case, it is unimaginable for a translator to stick to the original pattern without alteration and consequently amplification is adopted in dealing with such occasions. Amplification is one of common translation skills. Generally speaking, the translator is not supposed to add any meaning to the original text. However, enormous differences between English and Chinese exist in rhetoric, syntax, tense and logic. Therefore, in the practical process of translating, we find that it is very difficult to make some words correspond perfectly with the original text. As we know, the stander of translating is “faithfulness” and “smoothness”. To get up to the translator often adds some words to the version. And then, how can we apply amplification flexibly? The paper first analyzes the definition of amplification in English to Chinese translation from four aspects-rhetoric, syntax, tense, logic. Firstly, add modifiers which include plural nouns, quantifiers, generalized words, idioms and mood auxiliaries from the angle of rhetoric; secondly, add words to complete the meanings of sentences for syntax; thirdly, add words considering tense; fourthly, add words from logic. At last, we talk about the effect of amplification. From the above aspects, we can draw a conclusion, that is, while carrying on English to Chinese translation, besides having a through understanding of original, we also should deliberate and carefully from rhetoric, syntax, tense and logic to improve a perfect our English to Chinese translation.Key words: amplification; rhetoric; syntax; tense; logic摘要翻译是各国间交流的重要手段，是运用一种语言把另一种语言所表达的内容准确地重新表达出来的语言活动。由于英语和汉语是两种完全不同的语言，他们有着各自不同的历史和文化背景。因此，在本国内广为流传的许多想法、习惯表达和速记等，在国外却无人知晓。在这种情况下，很难想象一个翻译者坚持原来的形式，而没有进行转变。这时候，增词法就可以用来解决这个问题。增词法是常用翻译技巧之一。通常来说，译者不应该对原文或译文随意增添。然而在修辞、句法、时态、逻辑方面，英汉两种语言之间存在巨大的差异。因此，在实际翻译过程中，我们很难做到字词上的完全对应。我们都知道，翻译的标准是“忠实”与“通顺”。为了达到这一标准，译者往往需要对译文做一些增添。那么，我们怎样才能做到灵活地运用增词法呢？本文首先分析了增词法的定义，然后从修辞、句法、时态、逻辑四个方面来重点阐述增词法在英汉翻译中的应用：一、从修辞方面来考虑，增添修饰语。修饰语包括表示名词复数的词、量词、概括词、习语、语气助词；从句法上考虑，增添词语来完整译文的意思；三、从时态上考虑，增添词语；四、从逻辑方面考虑，增添词语。最后，我们探讨了增词法的主要效果。从以上几个方面内容，我们可得出，在进行英汉翻译时，除了对原文内容有透彻的了解之外，我们要从修辞、句法、时态方面来进行仔细推敲和认真考虑，从而提高和完善我们的翻译。关键词：增词法；修辞；句法；时态；逻辑Table of ContentsINTRODUCTION 1Chapter One THE SITUATION OF ENGLISH TO CHINESE TRANSLATION21.1 The Situation of Translation21.2 Some Problems in English to Chinese Translation2 1.2.1 Unnatural of Structure and Sentence2 1.2.2 The Choice of Wrong Words3 1.2.3 The Stiff of Sentence3Chapter Two APPLICATION OF AMPLIFICATION IN ENGLISH TO CHINESE TRANSLATION6 2.1 Amplification for Purpose of Rhetoric7 2.1.1 Adding plural words7 2.1.2 Adding quantifiers8 2.1.3 Adding generalized words8 2.1.4 Adding appropriately idioms9 2.1.5 Adding mood auxiliaries10 2.2 Amplification for Syntax10 2.2.1 Adding words omitted in the original questions11 2.2.2 Adding verbs omitted in the original text11 2.2.3 Adding words omitted in the comparative sentence12 2.3 Amplification for Tense12 2.3.1 Adding adverb to show time13 2.3.2 Adding auxiliary to show time13 2.4 Amplification for Logic13 2.4.1 Adding words to suppose things14 2.4.2 Adding words to connect the context14Chapter Three THE EFFECT OF AMPLIFICATION15 3.1 Making the Meaning Clearer15 3.2 Functioning as the Rhetorical Devices153.3 Making the Sentence Smooth153.4 Keeping Syntactic and Semantic Function15CONCLUSION17WORK CITED 18ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 20INTRODUCTIONTranslation circles at present approve generally the “faithful” and “smooth” standard. As for the learners of English, they often carry on literal translation only on the basic of meaning of English words. So that it makes the version stiff and old-fashioned sometimes. To achieve the standard of translation one could add appropriately words into version. Firstly of all, he has the thorough understanding of the original and performs the accurate expressions with another language for the thing which is understood. And then he should deliberate and research carefully from the rhetoric, syntax, tense and logic. It will help us to fully express the meanings between the lines of the original text thus amplification is commonly used in English to Chinese translation. The following deals with the definition of amplification and then focuses on the application of amplification in four aspects: rhetoric, syntax, tense, logic.Chapter OneTHE SITUATION OF ENGLISH TO CHINESE TRANSLATION1.1 The Situation of Translation The communication between people speaking different languages must depend on translation, without which the communication cannot be carried through effectively. Then, what is translation?Some people believe it is a science, others take it as an art, a bilingual art; and yet many consider it as a craft, or rather, a skill. Of these varied opinions, which one holds the truth? Translation means the conversion of an expression from one language into another. To say it plainly, translation is an art to reproduce the authors ideas by means of a language different from the original text. From the definition above, it is known that the original thought of the text must be kept as far as possible. Nothing should be added to or taken away from the original work. A translators responsibility is simply to convert the vocabulary, not the thought. In translation, therefore, there are two essential elements: accuracy and expressiveness. Accuracy is to make the thought definite and exact, while expressiveness is to make the translation vivid and attractive, and make the translation clearer and more readable to the readers1.2 Some Problems in English to Chinese TranslationIn English to Chinese translation, no matter teaching or translating, some people just want their versions faithfulness and smoothness, but ignore the gracefulness. However, are the versions which faithful and smooth are veritable, nature and fit for Chinese? Are these versions prefect? Sometimes, a lot faithful and smooth versions are not veritable and nature. There are some problems in English to Chinese translation.1.2.1 Unnatural of Structure an SentenceThe structure is one of the most important rhetoric approaches in Chinese. It is characterized by compendiousness and lively rhythm. We must choose a right way, and we must see the versions structure and sentence. We should make the versions literal and clear.For instance: Original English: The sun, which had hidden all day, now came out in its entire splendor.Version: 那个整体躲在云里的太阳，现在又光芒四射地露面了。In the original English, the attributive clause is complement and narrative. In the version, it dose not put attributive precede the noun. There has not had the meaning “又” in the original English, so it must be deleted.The revised version: 太阳一整天都躲在云里， 现在出来了，光芒四射。Another example: Original English: I had experienced oxygen and / or engine trouble.Version: 我曾经碰到过，不是氧气设备出故障，就是引擎出故障，或二者都出故障。In the version, it stop suddenly as “我曾经碰到过”, it seems have no object. But actually the object are three long clauses, it does not fit for Chinese. We can put “这种现象” after “碰到过”.The revised version: 我曾经碰到过这种现象，不是氧气设备出故障，就是引擎出故障，或者他们都出故障。1.2.2 The Choice of Wrong Words Using the right word at the right time is rather like wearing appropriate clothing for the occasion: it is a courtesy to others, and a favor to you-a matter of presenting yourself well in the eyes of the world. As Mark Twain said: The difference between the right word and the almost-right word is as great as that between lighting and the lighting bug. So choice words is very important, and we should base on the right words. If we do not choice the right words, it will be much more mistakes.For example: Original English: The teenagers dont invite Bob to their parties because he is a wet blanket.Version: 青少年们不邀请鲍勃参加他们的聚会因为他是一个令人扫兴的人。“青少年” is a collective noun, it means a group of teenagers, but not one person. And we can not put “们”after it. In Chinese, there are not any words fit for teenagers, so we can translate it as “青年人”. The revised version: 那些青年人不让鲍勃参加他们的聚会，因为他是一个令人扫兴的家伙。1.2.3 The Stiff of SentenceChinese is a language known for its musical sounds and well-balanced rhythm. In the English to Chinese translation, it is of great significance to maintain harmonious in terms of sound and rhythm. So syllable is not rhythm and sentence is stiff are two typical problems in English to Chinese translation. The versions which are sound very beautiful must add the right words that not just make the versions influence.For instance: Original English: This failure was the making of him.Version: 这次不成功是他成功的基础。we translate the word “failure” as “不成功”is gild the lily, it makes the sentences syllable not rhythm. And there are two “成功” in the short version, it dose not sound smooth.The revised version: 这次失败促使了他的成功。Another example: Original English: They drove in a black limousine, pass groves of birch trees and endless rows of identical new buildings.Version: 他们乘坐一辆黑色轿车，经过一丛丛的白桦树和看不到尽头的一排排千篇一律的新住宅。The attribute before “新住宅”is too long, so the syllable is not rhythm and the sentence is stiff. So we repeat the attribute to make the sentences syllable rhythm.The revised version:他们乘坐一辆黑色轿车，经过一丛丛白桦树和一排排新楼房。这些新楼房，千篇一律，望不到头。From the examples above, in English to Chinese translation, we will meet more problems than these, so we need to find a practically method to deal with the problems to make the versions smooth, faithful and graceful. Therefore, if avoid these problems, the version will be the perfect one. Through the versions and the revised versions above, it is shown that if we add some other words and then the versions and the revised versions are more smooth, faithful and graceful. So the amplification is a useful skill to deal these problems in English to Chinese translation and it not only can make the versions more influence and beautiful but also the readers can understand the original text easily.Amplification, also called addition, deans supplying words in our translation on the basis of accurate comprehension of the original. In another expression, that is, according to the needs of the significance and the trope or the syntax to add some words which have the meaning but without the shape, while translating the original text. Its purpose is to connect the context or avoid causing unclear meanings and is to make the version conform to the Chinese usage in rhetoric, syntax, tense and logic. Besides, one adds words to definite the original meanings or concepts and improve the result of rhetoric.Chapter TwoAPPLICATION OF AMPLIFICATION IN ENGLISH TO CHINESE TRASLATIONGenerally speaking, a good translation, is a bit longer than the original text (it does not mean that a good translation must be longer than the original text) primarily because translators must faithfully turn the obvious form of the original language into the target language, and at the same time, must convey what is implied in the original context, especially closely connected with the background of the original culture and history into the target language.“The difficulties for the readers of translation lie in whats implied in the original, and then translators should make some adaptations in the light of specific conditions to enable readers to understand the translations more easily, which is similar to a boa that twines itself around an animal and squeezes it hard to make it longer and thinner before it can swallow the animal more easily. Nothing is lost in the animal itself but the shape of the animal is changed by being squeezed and pressed. ” (Zhou Fangzhu, P87,2000) A translator must, sometimes, add something (that is implied but not obviously expressed in words) to the original in his translation to give explanations, and translation is thus lengthened, form changed, but the meaning of the original text remains unchanged, and it is only adapted to the capability of readers.The words added in translation must be indispensable (absolutely necessary) either syntactically or semantically. The precondition of amplification is to keep the original meaning, and at the same time to keep the version more precise and smooth. Yan Fu said: “If the idea of the original text is profound and cannot be easily understood. It is necessary to take alterations or amplifications so as to make the idea clear. All of this is done for the purpose of expressiveness. To be expressive means to be faithful.” (Sun Ping P62, 2004)When translating English into Chinese, amplification is often used to represent the original meaning so as to be more faithful and more idiomatically in accord with Chinese grammar. In the following parts, amplification shall be demonstrated from eight aspects.2.1Amplification for Purpose of RhetoricThere are enormous differences between English and Chinese in rhetoric. While English text lacks modifiers, the modifiers must be added into the version while translating in English to Chinese translation. Now we discuss it from the following five aspects.2.1.1 Adding plural words Amplification is usually used in the translation if there is no corresponding plural noun. Besides, this need not add some words in the particular cases. The English noun has a singular and plural difference. But there is no singular and plural difference in the Chinese noun. According to the need of rhetoric some words could be added to the version while translating it.For example: Original English: Mr. Hobbs did not talk over my suggestions with his brother until yesterday afternoon,Version: 直到昨天下午霍布斯先生才跟他兄弟讨论了我的各项建议。“suggestions” is a plural noun it the original, but “建议”