The topic of graduation thesis is "Analysis of Chinglish Phenomenon in Translation".

Yan Fu's "faithfulness, expressiveness and elegance" brilliantly summarizes the translation criteria. This standard requires that the translation should not only faithfully and accurately express the original intention, but also be fluent, beautiful and readable. But it is not easy to reach this standard in practice.

There are two tendencies in Chinese-English translation: one is blindly pursuing fluent translation and beautiful wording, ignoring or even deviating from the original intention; The other is that the words used in the original text are too rigid, and the translation is not smooth and difficult to understand. Neither of these tendencies meets the standard of "faithfulness, expressiveness and elegance". In foreign affairs translation, the latter tendency is more common. There are subjective reasons for this problem, such as fear of political mistakes in translation, thinking that literal translation is safer, so they dare not cross the line; In addition, there are objective factors. Political and diplomatic translation is policy-oriented, which requires not only accurate content, rigorous writing, but also strong timeliness. Translators are often eager to complete tasks, and it is difficult to deliberate and polish them calmly. Therefore, translation often adapts to Chinese without considering Excellence. In my 40 years of translation work, I often leave some permanent regrets in my translation within a limited time.

Of course, our translation work has been progressing and developing, especially in the past 20 years of reform and opening up, which has solved a large number of new problems, new words and new expressions and played a great role in diplomacy and publicity. But we can't ignore the problems in our work, especially the quality of translation.

Improving the quality of translation requires many efforts, and I feel that one of the most needed and difficult problems in the future is how to overcome Chinglish.

Chinglish is the expression of the latter tendency I mentioned above. Its existence leads to some blunt and obscure translations, which makes English-speaking readers stay away from it and affects the publicity effect. Can't help but attract our attention.

We need to discuss Chinglish in theory, but I think it is more important to find a solution from practice. Solving this problem may make our translation more perfect and closer to the standard of "faithfulness, expressiveness and elegance". Of course, this cannot be solved overnight, and we need unremitting efforts.

Due to the differences in historical background, politics, economy, society, culture and values between China and English-speaking countries, Chinese-English translation is easy to produce Chinglish, just as European-Chinese translation is easy to produce English-Chinese translation. Therefore, translators are required not only to be proficient in Chinese and English, but also to be familiar with the living background, way of thinking and language habits of people in English-speaking countries, always pay attention to the development of English, listen to more foreign languages, read more English original works and texts, and gradually overcome Chinglish, so as to make English translations more authentic to read. Now I want to talk about some problems about Chinglish and discuss them with my predecessors and colleagues.

First, the main causes of Chinglish and its manifestations

First, words with China characteristics are constantly emerging. Since the reform and opening up, many new words and expressions have emerged, which are unique to China. There is no or no corresponding translation in English, and even if it is translated, it needs a certain running-in process. Translation is often explanatory. If you can't explain it, you can translate it word for word, and Chinglish is easy to appear. For example:

(1) "Three stresses" (stress on learning, politics and healthy atmosphere)

The first translation emphasizes learning, political awareness and honesty.

And upright

Emphasize three things: study, politics and integrity.

The original translation is explanatory and obviously not as concise as the original. Translation is simple and clear, but it does not completely get rid of the taste of Chinglish. Besides, the word politics is sometimes derogatory.

(2) "Economic legalization" means managing economic affairs or running the economy according to law.

On the legal basis or within the legal framework

"Industrialization of scientific research achievements" applies scientific research achievements to industrial production.

"Informatization of national economy" to build an informationized national economy

"Social knowledge" to build a knowledge-driven society

"Democracy should be practiced in international relations"

The word "Hua" often appears in Chinese, and some of it can be translated literally, such as "economic globalization", which is now translated as "economic globalization". But it can't be simply translated into "ize", for example, the above sentence is translated into: international.

Relationships should be democratized. The meaning is out of shape.

The above phrases are all explanatory translations, which inevitably have the flavor of Chinglish.

Second, improper collocation. Due to the literal influence of Chinese, translation is often not a grammatical error but a deeper problem of improper collocation. For example:

(3) "We will continue to write a new chapter in building Socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new century."

We will continue to make new achievements in building Socialism with Chinese characteristics.

Characteristics of the new century.

"Writing a new chapter" can be translated into writing a new chapter in some contexts, such as "writing a new chapter in the history of Sino-Thai friendly exchanges." we have

Writing a new chapter in Sino-Thai friendship. In example (3), it can't be translated like this, because writing

You can't have both a chapter and building socialism.

(4) Some common examples of improper collocation:

Translating "letter writing" into letter writings is a mismatch and personification, which should be: letter reading.

"Make achievements" should be: score or "achieve achievements".

"The successor of the revolution should be: the successor of the revolution.

The successor of the revolutionary cause should be: the successor of the revolutionary cause.

cause

Although some words are not properly collocated, they are accepted by English-speaking countries because of their long-term use, which can be described as a convention, such as:

"Building China into" belongs to Chinglish and should be translated as: turning China into.

But in Clinton's speech welcoming President Jiang, he built San Francisco into an exciting international metropolis. It can be seen that English is constantly absorbing foreign words and developing.

Third, duplication and redundancy. Chinese and English have different usages of nouns, verbs, adjectives and adverbs, so they are repeatedly emphasized.

The usage is also different. Nouns are often used repeatedly in Chinese, while pronouns, phrases or ellipsis are often used in English. For example:

(5) "In order to make this congress a success, the China Organizing Committee of the UPU Congress has done a lot of preparatory work. The China Municipal Government and the Beijing Municipal Government have given great support to the preparation of this meeting. The governments and postal departments of many countries have also provided useful assistance to China in preparing for this meeting. Here, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to all countries, departments and friends who have supported the preparations for this conference! "

China Organizing Committee of UPU Congress has left.

Go all out to make preparations to make the conference a success. this

The central government and the Beijing Municipal Government of China have submitted

Unremitting support for the preparations for the conference. government

The postal authorities in many countries provided in kind.

Assist China in preparing for the conference. Here I want

Express our sincere thanks to all countries, departments and friends.

Supported the preparations for the conference.

In this sentence, "Congress" appeared five times, and the first translation also appeared five times in English. The word "preparation" appeared three times in Chinese and three times in English translation. The translated sentences are very complicated and have the flavor of Chinglish.

COC went all out and made a lot of preparations.

The UPU Congress made it a success. administration

And the Beijing municipal government of China.

Its preparation work. Government and postal authorities

Many countries have provided good-will help to China in this work. Here I hope

Express our sincere thanks to all countries, departments and friends.

Give us support in this regard.

After retranslation, "Congress" and "preparation" only appeared once, and the sentences were short.

(6) "In order to promote the development of Sino-US relations, China needs to know more about the United States, and the United States needs to know more about China."

In order to promote the development of Sino-US relations, China needs to know.

The United States needs to know China better, and the United States needs to know China better.

In order to promote Sino-US relations, China needs to know the United States better.

or vice versa, Dallas to the auditorium

The revised translation avoids repetition and makes English more fluent.

(7) "Governing the country according to law ... establishing a socialist country ruled by law"

Governing the country according to law ... Building a socialist country ruled by law is tedious and confusing.

Implement the rule of law ... turn China into a socialist country.

An adequate legal system avoids two "countries" in this way, and the hierarchy is clear.

Fourth, overuse modifiers. In Chinese, strong adverbs are often used to modify verbs and adjectives, and adjectives are used to modify nouns to emphasize mood. However, it needs careful consideration when translating into English, and it cannot be copied word for word. Otherwise, we often overemphasize it, which will have the opposite effect and weaken the power of the original text. For example:

(8) "We will continue to unswervingly adhere to economic construction as the center.

We will continue to unswervingly push forward reform and opening up.

We will continue to unswervingly maintain social stability.

We will continue to unswervingly pursue an independent foreign policy of peace. "

A. we will continue to unswervingly focus on economic construction.

We will continue to unswervingly push forward reform and opening up.

We will continue to unswervingly implement an independent foreign policy.

A symbol of peace.

B. We will unswervingly focus on economic construction and resolutely push forward.

Promote reform and opening up and persist in maintaining social stability.

Unswervingly pursue an independent foreign policy of peace.

C. We will unswervingly focus on economic construction and continue to push forward.

Reform and opening up, maintain social stability and pursue independence.

Foreign policy of peace.

The four "unswerving" are translated into unswerving, so the English version can not only emphasize the tone, but also weaken it, which is cumbersome. If translated into different adverbs, it is not desirable, giving people the feeling of adverbs piled up. It should be enough to modify four verbs with only one adverb.

Another example: "completely crushed." The original meaning of "smashing" is completely broken, which already contains the meaning of "completely", and the tone of "smashing" is weakened.

"Complete conquest", conquest, and "conquest" cannot be partial.

"Extremely shameless", "shameless" is the highest level.

"Great historic change" This is a great historic change. In English, historicity already contains great meaning.

5. Inappropriate omissions. Sometimes Chinese is very concise, but translation into English must be supplemented.

(9) "If agriculture is well done, farmers will be self-sufficient and the population of 500 million will be stable."

If agriculture is in good condition and disasters can be self-sustaining, then.

500 million people will feel safe.

If agriculture is in good condition and crops are self-sufficient, …

The subject and verb in the first half of the sentence are singular, and the subject in the second half is plural, so a plural verb must be added accordingly and cannot be omitted.

(10) "Human will is inevitable."

This is inevitable, even if people want to avoid it.

The first half of the sentence is passive and the second half is active, so it can't be omitted.

Sixth, the anthropomorphic method. This phenomenon often appears in Chinese. However, when translated into English, it is often influenced by the literal meaning of Chinese, which makes the translation have the flavor of Chinglish.

(1 1) "The ship of China's socialist construction will sail to the glorious other side of modernization."

A. The ship of China's socialist construction will ride the wind and waves.

Sail for the glorious destination of modernization. "Ship" is lifeless, and the subject of modernization should be people.

B. China will stride forward on the road of building socialism like a ship that breaks the waves.

Ride the wind and waves to the glorious end of modernization.

The translation of example (b) is not ideal, but it overcomes personification and is slightly better than (a).

(12) "At the turn of the century, China's diplomacy was unprecedentedly active."

At the turn of the century, China's diplomacy was the most active.

Because diplomacy is lifeless, the active subject should be people. China at the turn of the century.

Most active in the diplomatic arena. Solved the problem of personification.

(13) "Innovation is the soul of national progress"

Innovation is the soul of national progress.

Translation: ... innovation supports the progress of a country.

The soul is alive, but innovation is not. The combination of the two is personification, which can be corrected through retranslation.

Seven, did not pay attention to the conversion of parts of speech. Sometimes Chinese-English translation can't be completely translated according to the original part of speech, but needs to be adjusted and transformed according to the situation.

(14) "The development of our relationship makes us not only close friends, but also brothers."

A. The development of our relationship makes us not only close friends.

Brothers, too

Our relationship has developed so fast that we not only become close friends.

And still brothers.

Example B has thoroughly understood the spirit of the original text, changed its part of speech and used English expressions. The flavor of English is stronger than the previous example.

(15) "The variety of products in the textile industry has increased and the quality has been continuously improved."

A. Design and variety of light industry and textile products

And their quality is constantly improving. When translated, the part of speech completely conforms to Chinese, so it has the flavor of Chinglish.

B.light industry and textile products are now better designed.

Quality and richer varieties.

B is obviously better than a.

(16) "The prosperity and development of China will not pose a threat to any country."

A China's strength, prosperity and development will not pose a threat.

Go to any country.

B. A strong, prosperous and developing China will not pose a threat to any country.

Country.

Example a is a word-for-word translation, and example b is more natural.

Two. How to avoid Chinglish and make the translation read like authentic English?

First of all, we should thoroughly understand the spirit of Chinese, get rid of the shackles of Chinese literalness, reorganize sentences according to English habits from the perspective of English readers, and express the meaning of the original text in clear words.

(17) "There is great hope for maintaining world peace."

A. there is great hope for maintaining world peace.

There is great hope for maintaining world peace. These two sentences are basically translated word by word.

C. the prospect of world peace is very bright.

D. The prospect of world peace is very complicated. The last two sentences are fluent in English.

(18) "At the same time, it also reflects their spiritual outlook and cultural life with their motherland and the world in mind."

In addition, their photos reflect their psychology from a certain angle.

A world outlook with a national mind and a global outlook.

And their cultural life.

In addition, their photos reflect their psychology from a certain angle.

Looking forward to the future, their love and extensive interest in the motherland.

The world and their cultural life.

The first translated sentence uses formulaic language, which is bloated and difficult to understand. It is easier to understand after translation.

Second, consciously record common words and difficult translation examples in work. Listen to more foreign languages, read more English texts, especially articles about China, and see how foreigners express the same word, the same thing and the same idiom. After comparative study, I used the more appropriate usage of "merit-based admission". However, when borrowing these words and expressions, we must pay attention to their political tendencies and different contexts. ) for example:

(19) "the dawn of the new century", there are many such statements in foreign newspapers and foreign news. It is convenient to collect them.

With the approach of the new century

At the dawn of the new century.

At the dawn of the new century

At the dawn of the new century

The new century is coming.

(2) "... increased by 10%, sometimes"

Increased the percentage of double digits, and in some cases increased several times.

If there are specific figures, such as an increase of 7.4%, it is not difficult to translate. But "10%" is hard to express. Since this expression exists in foreign newspapers and coincides with Chinese, use it.

(2 1) Give full play to one's talents. "Give full play to one's talents" is usually translated as: Give full play to one's talents to the extreme.

Make the best use of everything, and now English sentence patterns more vividly express the meaning of "giving full play to people's ability"

(Tichets, from ... to ...) is far beyond the ability of orderly workers and "far behind".

If …, all other problems will be solved. "solved"

Special one-off case "never again"

Overstaying passengers' "Passenger Accommodation Certificate expired"

To improve efficiency, lay off employees or cut wages to improve efficiency.

These English expressions are small words, short words and simple words. They are all vivid and can be used by me.

Second, when reading English and Chinese articles, pay attention to collecting commonly used words, phrases and sentences, find out how the original English text is expressed, and accumulate authentic English vocabulary and sentence patterns by inversion or reverse translation, that is, English-Chinese-English.

I have often thought of you and your country recently. This usage is better than have.

I often think of your tunnel

(23) "You have witnessed the extraordinary course that China and the world have gone through in this century".

Century, whether in China or abroad. The sweep here is a "course", which is more vivid than the course and has the action of "walking".

(24) "vigorously inherit and carry forward these heritages" ... It is better to build on this heritage dramatically than to inherit.

Carrying forward this heritage is concise and appropriate.

(25) "Economic reform has changed the face of China and people's daily life." Economic reform has changed the face of China.

And people's daily lives.

The use of scenery can be imitated.

(26) "The unique culture and ideas of Chinese Americans ... diligence has enhanced the cohesion of our society."

Chinese Americans' unique culture and values ... hard work has been strengthened.

The use of our social structure. Fabric is worth learning.

(27) "Every country must find its development plan according to its own tradition." Every country must find a way to develop.

In its own tradition. "nei" can be translated into "according to", so in similar situations, "according to" can also be translated into "nei".

(28) "In the retail and cooking industries, the business of family-run enterprises completely exceeds that of the country." In the retail and catering sectors, households

Operation has completely surpassed the government. "Household operation" and "going out of the market" can be used by me.

Nothing in the world is difficult for one who sets his mind to it. Cultivate a strong interest in language and learn how people in English-speaking countries express different things on different occasions anytime and anywhere. Draw something useful from it.

(29) We use the word "hard work" on many different occasions, while people in English-speaking countries change their expressions as the situation changes. For example, when the guest has just arrived, the host can say: Have you eaten?

Did you have a nice trip? After someone's efforts, you can praise him: thank you for your efforts. Or you've been working.

Push!

But this time, when President Jiang reviewed the troops, he said, "Comrades have worked hard!" (And "Hello comrades!" I am not sure how to translate it. As for "Hello comrades!" Obviously, it can't be translated into Hello or How are.

You or something. Salute! Maybe you need to ask a foreign friend.

Another example: after the guests arrived, the foreign host asked, "Would you like to make yourself at home?" I think this is exactly what we usually say, "Do you want to go to the bathroom?"

(30) The talks told British people that we must consult a wide range of people from all walks of life.

People. This is exactly what we call "we must listen to the opinions of people from all walks of life."

(3 1) "Admission by ticket" Foreigners use "Admission by ticket." We can translate "Cambodia No.1 observation deck" into "admission" by analogy.

"Only by card" or "Please show me this card". "location: reviewing stand 1

In short, all kinds of English materials, advertisements, road signs, publicity materials and so on can be used as learning materials.

Finally, we should keep up with the rapid development of the times and constantly learn new words and knowledge. Just a few examples.

Fast scanner

Television telephone

nonprofit organization

Asian megatrends

quantum fund

hedge fund

In order to solve the problem fundamentally, it is necessary to improve the translator's comprehensive quality, especially the language quality and cultivation. He should not only be good at Chinese, but also be proficient in English, and his knowledge should be wide. Generally speaking, the deeper a translator's English attainments, the less Chinglish there is in his translation.