A Comparative Study of Chinese and Western Art

Translation principle is the basic criterion that translators must follow in translation, the guide to all translation behaviors stipulated by the essential nature of translation, and the universal feature that distinguishes translation from other activities. China and western translation traditions are two completely different translation systems in the world translation history. By comparing the similarities between Chinese and western translation principles, we can better understand the essence and laws of translation.

Keywords: Chinese and Western translation principles are similar

Translation principle is mainly the translator's code of conduct, which is an abstract doctrine and thought with universal applicability. Translation principles and translation criteria are determined by the essential attributes of translation and people's rational understanding of the nature of translation activities. In fact, translation criteria are the concretization of translation principles; Translation principles are abstractions of many translation standards. The universality of translation principles exists relative to the diversity of translation standards.

Translation principles and translation criteria are both produced in translation practice in a specific language and cultural background. Besides, translation itself is a transformation between different languages and cultures. Therefore, different languages and cultural systems have given birth to different translation ideas and theories. In the history of the development of Chinese and western translation theories, their respective translation theorists have systematically summarized the principles of translation. The outstanding representatives of our country are Dao An's "Five Mistakes" and "Three Difficult Books", Xuanzang's "Five Don't Turn", Yan Fu's "Faithfulness and Elegance", Fu Lei's "Spiritual Similarity" and Qian Zhongshu's "Transformation". The outstanding representatives of the West are/kloc-Dole's five elements of translation in the 6th century, German Luther's seven principles of translation repair,1Dryden's three principles of translation in the 7th century,18th century tytler's three principles of translation,19th century Goethe's three principles of translation and the 20th century. According to the definition of translation principles, we choose three widely representative and influential viewpoints-Yan Fu's "faithfulness and elegance", tytler's "three translation principles" and Nida's "dynamic equivalence" to compare and reveal the similarities between Chinese and western translation principles.

The translation principle advocated by Yan Fu first appeared in the woodcut Evolution and Translation Examples published in 1898. The first three articles focusing on faithfulness, expressiveness and elegance are as follows:

(1) Three difficulties in translation: faithfulness, expressiveness and elegance. It's hard to win his trust! Ancient letters are out of fashion, and although translation is still not done, it is still out of fashion. ..... The translation takes a clear and profound meaning, so it is sometimes beneficial to reverse words, without weighing the number of words and comparing sentences, but the meaning does not recite this article. Talking about the topic is to achieve the goal, not translation, but utilization, not real Buddhism.

(2) In western sentences, names and objects are often interpreted with the increase, such as the side branches of Chinese, followed by long-distance contact with the previous text, which is enough to form a sentence. Therefore, western syntax, at least two or three words, dozens of words more. If a fake translation is done, it is impossible. If the path is deleted, I am afraid that the meaning will be leaked. In this case, the translator will keep the full text in mind, and then write down the text to prepare for the other party. In the original words, it is difficult to compare * * *, so the current background can show its meaning. All these businesses are considered as: to realize is to believe.

(3) It is easy to say "sincere words". Confucius said, "words are not enough." He also said, "Words without words are not far away." The three are the right way of the article, that is, the model of translation. Therefore, Xinda is outside, seeking elegance. This is not only unattainable, but actually refined and implicit, and it is easy to achieve the meaning by using the syntax of pre-Chinese characters; It's difficult to use modern common characters. ……

Tytler's "Three Principles of Translation" was put forward in his book Translation Principles published by 1790. Its contents are as follows:

(1) Translation should completely reproduce the original idea.

(2) The style and style of the translation should be the same as the original.

(3) The translation should be fluent in the original.

Tytler also pointed out that his three principles are arranged according to their importance. When we can't give consideration to both, we should first sacrifice the third and then the second.

Nida's principle of "dynamic equivalence" was first put forward in Translation Theory and Practice 1969, which he co-authored with Thabo. Its specific performance is as follows:

Dynamic equivalent translation refers to the reproduction of source language information in the target language with the closest and most natural equivalent, first of all, meaning, and then style. In order to keep the original content, the form must be changed. Later, Nida replaced "dynamic equivalence" with "functional equivalence" in "From one language to another" published by 1986, which made its meaning more clear. It also emphasizes that form is meaningful and cannot be sacrificed easily.

Comparing the above three translation principles, we can easily find that there are many similarities or similarities:

First, discuss translation principles from the same angle. The three principles all examine the tasks faced by translation from three aspects: ideological content, language expression and style characteristics. Yan Fu's "faithfulness", tytler's "translation should completely reproduce the original idea" and Nida's "in the sense" discussed the ideological content of translation; Yan Fu's "Da", tytler's "Translation should be fluent in the original" and Nida's "Use the closest and most natural equivalent in the target language" are all aimed at the language expression of translation. Yan Fu's "elegance", tytler's "the style and style of the translation should belong to the same nature as the original" and Nida's "existential style" all involve the style of translation. This shows that translation theorists at all times and all over the world have the same thinking about translation principles, because ideological content, language expression and style characteristics are the three elements that must be considered in any inter-language conversion activities.

Secondly, similar requirements are put forward in three aspects of translation. In terms of ideological content, Yan Fu requires "faithfulness", that is, the meaning of the translation should "achieve the purpose" rather than "recite the text". This is what tytler said: "The translation should completely reproduce the original idea", which is what Nida said: "Reproduce the original information in terms of meaning". In terms of language expression, Yan Fu advocates "vivid expression", that is, "access", that is, the translator integrates the full text with the mind. Then write down the words and prepare for each other. In the original words, it is difficult to compare * * *, so the current background can show its meaning. All these services are considered to be realizable. Obviously, Yan Fu's "Da" is to make the translation "Da" to the readers.

Thirdly, the primary and secondary relationship between principles is expounded. Yan Fu's three meanings of "faithfulness, expressiveness and elegance" are arranged in sequence, with clear priorities and trinity. Seeking elegance means reaching, and reaching means believing. "It can be seen that seeking elegance and reaching are all for trust; Seeking trust is the basis of translation. Similarly, tytler's Three Principles and Nida's "Functional Equivalence" both point out that when translation cannot be balanced due to language and cultural differences, language expression can be sacrificed first, followed by style, but the ideological content of the original text must be preserved. Otherwise, it is not a translation.

Translation principle is the basic principle guiding translation practice and one of the core issues of translation theory. Translation principles and translation standards are interrelated and fundamentally different, and cannot be confused. Comparing the translation principles which are widely representative and influential in the history of Chinese and western translation theories, we can find a universal translation principle: all translations must be faithful to the original text, first to the ideological content of the original text, secondly to the stylistic style of the original text, and thirdly to the linguistic expression of the original text.

References:

[1] Luo. On translation [C]. Beijing: Commercial Press, 1984.

[2] Tan Zaixi. Translation studies [M]. Wuhan: Hubei Education Press, 2000.

About the author: Li Wenrui (198503-), female, from Baoji, Shaanxi Province, unit: School of Humanities, xi Engineering University, research direction: English language and literature, title: teaching assistant, education: master's degree.