翻译方法

Translation Methods(翻译的方法)

Teaching ProceduresI. Translation methods Step 1 Questions for discussion Step 2 Literal translation & free translation Step 3 Application of literal &free translation Step 4 Conclusion Step 5 Foreignization & domestication II. Consolidation III. Assignments

Translation MethodsStep 1 Questions for discussion What translation methods have you ever heard? What are they?

What is word-for-word translation? What is free translation? What is the difference between word-for-word translation and free translation?

Translation Methods翻译方法

Literal translation (word-for-word translation)直译

Liberal translation (free translation)意译

Step 2: Literal Translation &Free TranslationWhat is literal translation? (什么是直译？)Literal translation is to translate something literally, that is, the translation will be definitely determined word for word, phrase for phrase, and the sequences of words and phrases will not be changed. The expression in the target language must be expressive and readable.(所谓直译， 就是在转达原文意思的时候，使译文的表达 形式和句法结构尽量同原文一致起来， 能完全对等的就完全对 等， 不能完全对等的也要大致对等。其理想目标是做到“神”、 “形”兼备。)

For example:浑水摸鱼 to fish in troubled water 火上加油 to add fuel to the fire 君子协定 gentlemen’s agreement paper tiger 纸老虎 Blood is thicker than water. 血浓于水 crocodile’s tears 鳄鱼的眼泪

What is free translation? (什么是意译？)Free translation is an alternative approach which is used mainly to convey the meaning and spirit of the original without trying to reproduce its sentence patterns or figures of speech. This approach is most frequently adopted when it is really impossible for the translator to do literal translation.(翻译时往往会遇到非常熟悉的词语， 然而这些词语往往可能 包含深层含义。 如照字面直译， 就会闹出笑话。这时就要将深层隐 含的意思译出来， 既打破原文的语言形式， 用译文的习惯表达形式把原文的意蕴再现出来。这就是意译。)

For example:亲生父母 1) biological parents 2) It rains cats and dogs. 大雨滂沱 3) Will a duck swim? 那还用说吗？ 4) Do you see any green in my eye?你以为我是幼稚可欺的吗? 小家庭 5) a nuclear family

6) Justice has long arms. 天网恢恢，疏而不漏。 7) Last night I heard him driving his pigs to market.昨夜我听见他鼾声如雷。

Step 3: Application of Literal Translation &Free TranslationHow to choose the correct method?(如何选择直译或意译？)

直译

意译

Blood is thicker than water. 血浓于水

It rains cats and dogs. 大雨滂沱

Some situations suitable for literal translation:(适用直译的情况)

a. Total equivalents (完全对等):1. to go through fire and wat

er 赴汤蹈火 2. as easy as turning over one’s hand 易如反掌 3. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.双鸟在林不如一鸟在手

4. Beauty lies in the lover’s eyes. 情人眼里出西施 5. More haste, less speed. 欲速则不达

b. Though the expressions in two languages are different, we can find the equivalents in the tone of the both languages. In this case we prefer to use the method of literal translation.(某些句式两种语言表达方式不同，但总 的气势还基本对应时，仍采用直译。但 是如果认为直译必须与原文实现词对词、 句对句的对应，就很有可能导致死译、 硬译。)

1. Partly as a result of the recently increasing demand, wholesale tea prices have almost doubled.部分由于日益增长的需求， 批发茶价几乎翻了一翻。

2. I read this letter with both surprise and excitement, surprise because he is still around, excitement because he didn’t even forget me.我读到他的信时即惊又喜， 惊的是他还健在， 喜的是 他一直没有忘记我。

Examples suitable for both literal translation and liberal translation: (直译和意译皆可的情况) 1. To kill two birds with one stone. 直译：一石二鸟 意译：一箭双雕，一举两得

2. The worst wheel of a cart creaks most. 直译：最坏的车轮最会嘎吱响。 意译：才学最差，叫喊最响；出力最少，抱怨最忙；能 猫不叫，叫猫不能。

Step 4 Conclusion:

From the above analysis, we come to the conclusion that there is no obvious distinction between literal translation and free translation, nor is it necessary to distinguish one from the other. The key point for a translator to grasp is to comprehend the original thoroughly, and then put it into idiomatic Chinese. In the process of translation, specific approaches such as literal or free translation may be of some help, but we should avoid the two extremes.(总结：使用何种意法并无一定之规， 能直译时就直译， 不能直译时 就意译， 有时还可以使用直译加意译的方法。总之，在不影响通顺 的前提下，要尽可能采取接近于原文的表达形式；如果保留原文的表 达形式可能会以形害义，或者使读者误解， 或者使译文不通顺流畅， 那么就应借助于其它手段。)

Step 5: Domestication and Foreignization

(归化和异化)Literal translation and free translation are two useful approaches in dealing with such awkward situations. We would like to focus on the form and meaning of the original when we use literal translation and free translation. If we further develop them, they may become domestication and foreignization. However, there are some differences between them. The former is more concerned on the method of dealing with translation in terms of the language itself, while the latter is on the semantics, culture and aesthetics.

Foreignization: If the translat

or’s preference is placed on preserving the language and cultural differences of the Source Text, we call this kind of approaches or its translation foreignizing or foreignization. Domestication: It refers to the method or practice of adapting the translation to the norms and values of the Target Language and is called domesticating or domestication. Since domestication and foreignization belong to the contents for graduates, we just have an overall idea of them.

直译和意译所关注的核心问题是 如何在语言层面处理形式和意义，而 异化和归化则突破了语言因素的局限, 将视野扩展到语言、文化和美学等因 素。从翻译方法的发展历史来看，异 化和归化是直译和意译的概念的扩展 ，但有不完全等同。因为异化和归化 是翻译专业研究生的学习内容，所以 我们只作为一般的了解。

1. Unless you have an ace up your sleeve, we are dished. 除非你有锦囊妙计，否则我们是输定了。 (归化) 除非你手中藏有王牌，否则我们是输定了。 (异化) 注：英语中ace是西方玩牌赌博时藏于袖中的 “王牌”,而“锦囊妙计”则是中国古代宫廷 争斗或疆场征战时封在“锦囊”中的神妙计策， 彼此有截然不同的文化背景和内涵。

2. Among Wolves one must howl. 入乡随俗(归化) 在狼群中你就得嗥(异化)

3. Go to law for a sheep, you lose a cow. 捡了芝麻，丢了西瓜。(归化) 为一只羊打官司，却损失了一头牛。(异化) 注：异化的翻译策略表示律师借打官司之际，向 原告和被告收取尽可能多的钱财，反映了西方民族 习惯于通过法律途径解决纠纷的文化习尚。

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