1、Practical Skills of Business English Translation商務(wù)英語(yǔ)翻譯主講 張高遠(yuǎn)（博士、副教授） 學(xué)術(shù)鍛造經(jīng)歷2005.92006.9 中國(guó)留學(xué)基金委員會(huì)公派訪問(wèn)學(xué)者，丹麥哥本哈根大學(xué)人文學(xué)院研修翻譯理論及葉斯泊森(Otto Jespersen)語(yǔ)言學(xué)理論。2002.92005.6 北京外國(guó)語(yǔ)大學(xué)中國(guó)外語(yǔ)教育研究中心攻讀語(yǔ)言學(xué)方向博士學(xué)位。1993.91996.6 福建師范大學(xué)外國(guó)語(yǔ)學(xué)院攻讀碩士研究生，獲優(yōu)秀研究生榮譽(yù)稱(chēng)號(hào)。 學(xué)術(shù)興趣范圍理論語(yǔ)言學(xué)，英漢語(yǔ)對(duì)比研究，翻譯理論與實(shí)踐，詞匯學(xué)，句法學(xué)，詩(shī)學(xué)，中西方社會(huì)形態(tài)比較。主要學(xué)術(shù)成果在外語(yǔ)教學(xué)與研究、外

2、國(guó)語(yǔ)、現(xiàn)代外語(yǔ)、外語(yǔ)研究、四川外語(yǔ)學(xué)院學(xué)報(bào)、西安外國(guó)語(yǔ)大學(xué)學(xué)報(bào)、北京第二外國(guó)語(yǔ)學(xué)院學(xué)報(bào)、外國(guó)語(yǔ)言文學(xué)等外語(yǔ)類(lèi)核心刊物及國(guó)內(nèi)知名刊物上發(fā)表學(xué)術(shù)論文30來(lái)篇。英漢名詞化對(duì)比研究獲2005界北京外國(guó)語(yǔ)大學(xué)優(yōu)秀博士論文獎(jiǎng)。Lecture One: Introduction1. What is translation?1.1 DefinitionTranslation is a process through which information expressed in the source( or: original) language is conveyed in the target langua

3、ge (a process through which information is conveyed from the source language to the target language). It is a communication crossing different languages, different cultures and different societies.1.3 Basic procedures of translation As a practice and operation, translation is governed by its own law

4、s and principles. A translator should follow the following three steps, so that s/he could convey the meaning of the source text accurately and the readers of the target text could appreciate the style and features of the source text. These three steps are: understanding/comprehension; representatio

5、n/conveyance/expression; checking1.3.1 Understanding/comprehensionThis is the first step. Only after you have a correct comprehension can you produce the correct translation of the source text. For a correct and thorough comprehension, you should read the source text carefully and repeatedly. Though

6、 it is the first step in translation, comprehension of the text is actually not a once-for-all process. In the process of translation, the translator should repeatedly refer to the source text and read between the lines so as to convey its meaning. And this process of reading and representation is a

7、lso the process of communication with the author of the source text. This process of repeated communication leads to the deepened understanding of the text and the guaranteed accuracy of the translation. Without a correct understanding of the source text, the translation will result in deformed or e

8、ven wrong information, which is a irresponsibility to the readers as well as a harm to the author of the source text.1.3.1 Understanding/comprehensionTake “純天然蜂蜜” for example. Why shouldnt we render it as “pure natural honey”? Because honey, unlike leather or fiber, is not man-made or artificial, so

9、 it is not a question of whether it is “pure”, “natural” or not, but a question of whether it is mixed with any additives.And why should we say “refined honey” rather than just “honey”? Because honey must first of all go through the process of refinement in order to be free from bee wax or any other

10、 impurities. If the translator has such knowledge in mind, the improper translation is avoidable.1.3.2 Representation/expressionRepresentation is the realization of source meaning and style, which could only be based on the comprehension of the source text.The quality of the target text depends, to

11、a great extent, on the translators ability of expression. That is to say, correct comprehension is one thing, and accurate representation is another. The former takes power of understanding(悟性) and knowledge, while the latter takes a good command of the source language and target language.1.3.3 Chec

12、king As the final step in translation, checking refers to translators meticulous examination of the translation against the source text after the completion of the translation. Though a final step, it is crucial and indispensable. Checking is particularly important for business translation, for busi

13、ness documents or business activities necessarily involve peoples names, place names, trade marks (names of products), numbers and figures, and business technical terms (e.g. “commercial” as an noun means “TV advertisement”). 2.2 Unchangeability/Unchangeableness (不容更改)The translator cannot (should n

14、ot!) change as he pleases the content, diction, and expressive skills, for all of which are final products. Like it or not, familiar with it or not, he cannot add or delete anything, but can only translate in accordance with the content, style, feelings and expression skills of the source text.3. Th

15、e difficulties involved in translation 3.1 Difficulties in comprehensionThe source text is often in a foreign language, which often takes more trouble for the translator to comprehend than his native language. More often than not, the moral(寓意) of the source text is vague, which might have resulted

16、from the authors improper expression or been intended by the source text writer for some specific purpose.Unfamiliarity with the background information might also constitute obstacles in comprehension, as the source text author and the translator are often in different times. 3. The difficulties inv

17、olved in translation3.2 The translator has to take the factors of the target text readers into consideration, and accordingly take some necessary measures for the T T to be readable, for T T readers are different from the source text readers in education, culture, interests and intelligence. One of

18、the measures is annotation (translators notes). 3. The difficulties involved in translation3.3 SL is different from TL in ways of expression, which requires the translator to dig into the source text and digest it, and then try to be free from the influence and restraints of ST. That is, the transla

19、tor should, based on accurate comprehension, represent the source text message in idiomatic expressions of the target language. Failing this, the translation would inevitably be faced with translation syndrome(翻譯癥)/translationese(翻譯腔).3. The difficulties involved in translation3.4 Translators unfami

20、liarity with specific professions is one of the largest obstacles s/he has to overcome. This requires the translator to be as knowledgeable as possible, or encyclopedic. That is, s/he has not only to know something of everything, but sometimes also to learn everything of something.3. The difficultie

21、s involved in translation: summary1) It is difficult to dig into the source text for a thorough comprehension and then try to express the ST authors thought within the frames designed by him/her.2) It is difficult to retain the original meaning of ST, conform to the original style, and keep the T T

22、smooth and readable, for TL is different from SL in ways of diction, syntactic structures and idiomatic expressions. 3) It is hard to be encyclopedic enough to know enough of everything involved in ST. 4) It is hard to retain the ST style.4. What are the determining factors for a good translation? I

23、n addition to experience and skills, usually there are four factors deciding whether a translation is good or not:1) The translators proficiency of source language (SL). 2) The translators proficiency of target language (TL). In English-Chinese translation, English is the SL, while Chinese is the TL

24、.3) The translators scope of knowledge, esp. his professional knowledge needed in particular translation.4) The translators dedication/dedicated professionalism.5. Basic criteria for translation and business translation5.1 Criteria for translation: Criteria for translation are the gauge for translat

25、ion practice as well as the standard for judging whether a translation is good or bad. Different people suggest different criteria for translation, but they could be summed up as “Faithfulness” (忠實(shí);信)and “Expressiveness/Smoothness”(通順;達(dá)). 5.1 Criteria for translation2) Expressiveness/smoothness mean

26、s that the translation should conform to the norms of the target language so that the target text is smooth and expressive. In one word, the translator should guard against inappropriateness in wording, ungrammaticality or disorder in grammatical structure.Faithfulness and smoothness is a kind of un

27、ity, an organic oneness. An idealized translation should convey the meaning and style of the source text in an integrated way and be smooth in expression, which is what a translator should try hard to achieve. 5.2 Criteria for business translationIn addition to the criteria of faithfulness and smoot

28、hness, business translation should also conform to specific norms and formulas of business writing and specific expressions. That is, the translation should be application-oriented and field-or-area-oriented. Mere faithfulness and smoothness is not enough. 2. Put the following English into Chinese:1

29、) black coffee 2) White Sale3) an off-season for business4) busy season (high season)5) wet snow 6) asymmetric bars7) The morning was young.8) Stop thief!9) His round, open face was bright with intelligence and good humor.10) No comments.11) This is VOA, signing on. 3. Improve on the underlined part

30、s of the following translation:1) Such ideas often produce only false hope and unnecessary fears.原譯:這種想法常常只會(huì)產(chǎn)生虛假的希望和不必要的恐懼。改譯:2) And the beauty of the pearl, winking and glimmering in the light of the little candle, cozened his brain with its beauty.原譯:珍珠在小蠟燭的亮光中閃爍著,以它的美麗哄騙著他的腦子。改譯：3) 對(duì)外漢語(yǔ)教研室原譯：Chin

31、ese as a Foreign Language Teaching and Research Section改譯：Key to the exerciseA. Improve on the underlined parts of the sentences:1）這種想法常常只會(huì)產(chǎn)生盲目樂(lè)觀和不必要的恐懼。2）美麗的珍珠在燭光下閃閃發(fā)亮，使人神往，令人陶醉。3）Chinese Program for Foreign StudentsB. Definition of translation:Translation is a bridge connecting different languages

32、 in the process of human-thought exchanging-a bridge that enables people of different languages to exchange thought through the reproduction of the source text. To translate is to represent in the target language the message conveyed in the source language, so that the target readers can acquire the

33、 thought expressed by the source author and the feelings basically the same as what the source readers have from the source text.On the Death of a Young LadyCousin to the Author, and very dear to him ByronHushed are the winds, and still the evening gloom,Not even a zephyr wanders through the grove,W

34、hile I return, to view my Margarets tomb,And scatter flowers on the dust I love.Within this narrow cell reclines her clay,That clay, where once such animation beamed;The King of Terrors seized her as his prey,Not worth nor beauty have her life redeemed.Oh! Could that King of Terrors pity feel,Or hea

35、ven reverse the dread decree of fate,Not here the mourner would his grief reveal,Not here the muse her virtues would relate.ContinuedBut wherefore weep? Her matchless spirit soarsBeyond where splendid shines the orb of day;And weeping angels lead her to those bowersWhere endless pleasures virtuous d

36、eeds repay.And shall presumptuous mortals Heaven arraign,And, madly, godlike Providence accuse?Ah! No, far fly from me attempts so vain;-Ill never submission to my God refuse.Yet is remembrance of those virtues dear,Yet fresh the memory of that beauteous face;Still they call forth my warm affections

37、 tear,Still in my heart retain their wonted place.悼瑪格麗特表妹 拜倫 晚風(fēng)沉寂了，暮色悄然無(wú)聲， 林間不曾有一縷微風(fēng)吹度； 我歸來(lái)祭掃瑪格麗特的墳塋， 把鮮花撒向我所摯愛(ài)的塵土。 這狹小墓穴里僵臥著她的身軀， 想當(dāng)年芳華乍吐，閃射光焰； 如今可怖的四神已將她攫去， 美德和麗質(zhì)也未能贖返天年。 哦！只要死神懂一點(diǎn)仁慈， 只要上蒼能撤消命運(yùn)的裁決！ 吊客就無(wú)需來(lái)這兒訴他的悲思， 詩(shī)人也無(wú)需來(lái)這兒贊她的瑩潔。Hushed are the winds, and still the evening gloom,Not even a zephyr wan

38、ders through the grove,While I return, to view my Margarets tomb,And scatter flowers on the dust I love.Within this narrow cell reclines her clay,That clay, where once such animation beamed;The King of Terrors seized her as his prey,Not worth nor beauty have her life redeemed.Oh! Could that King of

39、Terrors pity feel,Or heaven reverse the dread decree of fate,Not here the mourner would his grief reveal,Not here the muse her virtues would relate.續(xù)為什么要悲慟? 她無(wú)匹的靈魂高翔，凌越于紅日赫赫流輝的碧落；垂淚的天使領(lǐng)她到天國(guó)的閨房，那兒，善行換來(lái)了無(wú)盡的歡樂(lè)?？扇菰S放肆的凡夫問(wèn)罪上蒼，如癡似狂地斥責(zé)神圣的天意？不！這愚妄的意圖已離我遠(yuǎn)揚(yáng)，我豈能拒不順從我們的上帝！但對(duì)她美德的懷想是這樣親切，但對(duì)她嬌容的記憶是這樣新鮮；它們依舊汲引我深情的淚液

40、，依舊盤(pán)亙?cè)谒鼈冐炞〉男奶铩ut wherefore weep? Her matchless spirit soarsBeyond where splendid shines the orb of day;And weeping angels lead her to those bowersWhere endless pleasures virtuous deeds repay.And shall presumptuous mortals Heaven arraign,And, madly, godlike Providence accuse?Ah! No, far fly from me

41、attempts so vain; - Ill never submission to my God refuse.Yet is remembrance of those virtues dear,Yet fresh the memory of that beauteous face;Still they call forth my warm affections tear,Still in my heart retain their wonted place. Lecture 2 A Contrast between English and Chinese from the Linguist

42、ic and Cultural Perspectives 1. A contrast between the two languages(1) English belongs Indo-European Language Family, while Chinese belongs to Sino-Tibetan Language FamilyA. From the typological and morphological point of view, English is in the process of developing from a synthetic to analytic la

43、nguage; therefore, at the present stage, it is both analytic(分析型) and synthetic(綜合型), while Chinese is chiefly an analytic language.The synthetic language is a language that conveys its grammatical meaning (such as tense, number, case, etc) through the morphological change of a word itself. In contr

44、ast, the analytic language shows its grammatical relations mainly through functional words and word order, rather than through the morphological change of words themselves. B. English is alphabetic(拼音文字的), while Chinese is ideographic(表意文字的)In the alphabetic writing, a simple name such as Chen Jun c

45、ould be represented variously by more than one form in the ideographic writing system, such as 陳軍, 陳俊, 陳駿, among others, which could be a male, or 陳君, 陳筠,etc., which could be a female.C. English is hypotactic(重形合),while Chinese is paratactic (重意合)Hypotaxis refers to the fact that a language mainly u

46、ses grammatical devices for its syntactic organization, while parataxis means that the language mainly relies on logical relations inherent in the sentence for its syntactic construction. Example:(1) We laughed, we sang, we danced; I believe it is true. (paratactic)(2) We laughed and sang and danced

47、; I believed that it is true. (hypotactic)English is more logical, which means that every sentence should have a finite verb, that a sentence should be made up of a grammatical subject and a verb, and that two or more “subject + verb” constructions put together should have at least a conjunction or

48、a semi-colon in between.C. English is hypotactic(重形合),while Chinese is paratactic (重意合)In contrast, Chinese lays more stress on semantic coherence, a characteristic which is shown in the infrequent or even no use of any connectors at all. For example:我下班回家時(shí)碰到了小王, 和他說(shuō)了會(huì)兒話, 又和他去酒吧坐了坐, 然后走著回家, 天都黑了。On

49、my way home after work, I ran across Xiao Wang, so we chatted and dropped in a bar before I walked home at dusk.2. A Contrast from the Perspective of National Cultural SemanticsNational cultural semantics is a reflection of national characteristics, specifically a reflection of the history, culture

50、and folk custom (folkway) of the country where a language is spoken. In the process of its development, a language has come to shape its own national characteristics and national coloring, that is, national cultural symbol, owing to the different customs and habits of social groups, their different

51、social, cultural and historical backgrounds, their different religions and beliefs as well as their different geographical environments.Could you translate each of the following idioms (which are all culturally loaded)?1）楚河汗界2）東山再起3）東施效顰4）龍鳳呈祥5）胸有成竹6）carry coal to Newcastle7）as poor as a church mous

52、e8）cross the Rubicon(note: Xie An, an official of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, resigned from office and lived in the Dongshan Mountains as a hermit, and later took and important post again.)1) the border of two opposing powers/a clear demarcation 2) (of one who once lost his power) resume ones former po

53、sition; stage a comeback; return to power3) blindly copy others only to make oneself look foolish4) with both the dragon and the phoenix present, everything seems auspicious5) have a well-thought-out plan, strategy, etc.6)多此一舉7) 一貧如洗8)背水一戰(zhàn)；破釜沉舟；決一死戰(zhàn)3. Differences in national cultural semantics are m

54、ost often demonstrated in three aspects as follows:(1) ColorOwing to cultural influence, the same color often has different implications, or in other words, it often symbolizes different feelings.What does “red” symbolize in Chinese and in English respectively?e.g. 又紅又專(zhuān)，紅火喜慶, red ink, in the red, re

55、d tape, red-light districtAnd what about “red” in “a red-letter day” and “red carpet”?What does “white” symbolize in Chinese and English respectively?白色恐怖一窮二白白手起家白卷白黨白眼白丁white liewhite moments of lifeWhite Terrorpoor and blank; poor economic foundation (and backward technology)start from scratchblan

56、k examination paper; exam paper left unansweredWhite Party; counter-revolutionary rebel cliquesupercilious (傲慢的)look; look with disdainperson without academic titles or official titles; commoner無(wú)惡意的謊言人生最輝煌得意時(shí)Different colors are used for the same imageQuite often, different perspectives result in di

57、fferent colors for the same image:紅光滿面 青一塊，紫一塊面如土色紅眼病brown bread black coffeeblue filmsgrey hairin the pinkblack and bluelook palegreen-eyed黑面包清咖啡黃色影片白頭發(fā)(2) Animals Owing to different geographical conditions and different cultures, animals and plants often symbolize different things. For example, ti

58、ger is the king of animals in Chinese culture, while lion heads animals in the English culture. 一山難容二虎 ( A great man cannot brook a rival)狐假虎威 ( a donkey in lions skin; bully people by flaunting ones powerful connections)老虎屁股摸不得 ( like a tiger whose backside no one dares to touch; not to be provoked

59、; a person who cannot tolerate differing opinions)虎口拔牙 ( dare to confront the greatest danger)a donkey in lions skintease/beard the lionput ones head into the lions mouth/stick ones head into the tigers mouth（老虎嘴里送食）What does the dog symbolize in Chinese and English respectively? And what about the

60、owl?狗腿子 （hired thug; lackey; henchman)癩皮狗 ( mangy dog; a loathsome creature)狗眼看人（低）(act like a snob; be damned snobbish)I am impressed by his dogged determination to succeed. Its dogged (that) does it. (天下無(wú)難事，只怕有心人)teach an old dog new tricks“Owl” symbolizes a person who is accustomed to working at