论文总字数：31727字

摘 要

随着科技和时代的发展，以信息网络的普及和发展为主要特点的网络时代的到来给英汉翻译工作带来很大影响。直译是英汉翻译中常用的基本方法之一，随着网络的普及，文化信息的传播的效率提高，人们查询信息和资料越来越方便，这为汉译英中使用直译带来了很大的优势。因此，本文主要就网络时代对于汉译英中使用直译的优势进行探讨，并指出直译在汉译英中的使用在网络时代的发展趋势。本文的研究能够为新时代汉译英中直译的应用提供一个新的视角。

关键词：直译；网络时代；优势

Contents

1. Introduction 1

2. Literature Review 1

2.1 The Definition of the Cyber Age 2

2.2 Researches at Home and Abroad 2

3. Overview of Literal Translation 3

3.1 Application of Literal Approach in Chinese-English Translation 4

3.2 Limitations 4

4. Impact of the Cyber Age 5

4.1 Characteristics of the Cyber Age 5

4.2 Impact of the Cyber Age on Modern Transmission of Information 5

5. Literal Approach in Chinese-English Translation in the Cyber Age 6

5.1 Possibilities 6

5.2 Advantages 6

5.3 Scope of Application 11

5.4 Methods of Application 12

6. Conclusion 14

Works Cited 15

1. Introduction

Since the beginning of the translation history, there have been debates between literal translation and free translation. Then in the context of globalization and the advent of the Cyber Age, what would happen to those debates? There is a great influence on using literal translation in Chinese-English translation. The purpose of this thesis is analyzing the influence of the Cyber Age in order to present the advantages of literal approach in Chinese-English translation.

The new way of information transmission and cultural exchange offers foreigners a good chance to take a whole view of Chinese culture. As to the translation, the coming of the Cyber Age can also give us a new method approach to literal translation. Compared with hundred years ago, people nowadays can easily access an avalanche of information on the Internet, which adds unparalleled advantages of literal approach in Chinese-English translation.

The importance of this thesis is to offer us a view of using literal translation in the new century and point out some possible trends of development on literal approach in Chinese-English translation in the Cyber Age.

2. Literature Review

In the literature review, the following contents will be presented, including the definition of literal translation, the definition of Cyber Age and relevant former researchers at home and abroad.

2.1 The Definition of the Cyber Age

The Cyber Age, also commonly known as the Computer Age or Digital Age, is a period in human history, characterized by the shift from traditional industry that the industrial revolution brought through industrialization, to an economy based on the information computerization. The onset of the Cyber Age is associated with Digital Revolution, just as the Industrial Revolution marked the onset of the Industrial Age. During the Cyber Age, the phenomenon is that the digital industry creates a knowledge-based society surrounded by a high-tech global economy that spans over its influence on how the manufacturing throughput and the service sector operate in an efficient and convenient way and in a commercialized society.

2.2 Researches at Home and Abroad

Many domestic scholars and foreign scholars have probed into the definition of literal translation. Liu Zhongde’s‘Literal Translation and Free Translation’ and ‘Literal Translation and Free Translation’ are famous articles on free translation and literal translation field.(Liu Chongde, 1990: 64) He points out that literal translation means ‘not to alter the original words and sentences’; profoundly speaking, it still strives ‘to keep the sentiments and style of the original.’ The meaning of the same word used in a sentence is often somewhat different from its annotation in a dictionary. Generally speaking, the definition of literal translation can be concluded as one word----authenticity.

Tytler also studies the method of literal translation.(Tytler, 2010: 311) Tytler’s method of literal translation includes three main points of view: firstly, A translation should give a complete transcript of the ideas of the original work. Secondly, the style and manner of writing should be of the same character as that of original. Thirdly, a translation should have all the ease of the original composition. In his paper “Approaches to Translating in the Western World”, Eugene A. Translation is not just a process for matching words, nor does it involve merely finding comparable grammatical constructions. A good translator must also be concerned about the evident intent of the author. We must notice the capacity of receptors’ faculty of understanding, and the cultural background of the source language before determining to adopt which kinds of translation strategies.

Concerning researches on Cyber Age, Chen Hanqing pointed out that the emergence of Cyber Age was closely related to Information Age. The Information Age came into being by capitalizing on the computer microminiaturization advances, with a transition spanning from the advent of the personal computer in the late 1970’s to the internet"s reaching a critical mass in the early 1990’s, and the adoption of such technology by the public in the two decades after 1990, bringing about a fast evolution of technology in daily life, as well as of educational life style.(Chen Hanqing, 2002 :127)

3. Overview of Literal Translation

Literal translation is one of the cardinal methods in foreignization translation. Without changing the language characteristic and the culture of source language, it conveys the source language information by expressions incoordinate to the target language. The principle of literal translation lies in ensuring the readability and intelligibility of the translation on the premise of retaining the text structure of the source language. In fact, many English contents can be translated into Chinese simply by means of literal translation.

In the process of translation, it is a big headache for the translator to make choice between literal translation and free translation. So it is necessary to discuss how to make the proper choice between free translation method and literal translation method. It is suggested that the translator has to differentiate between two kinds of foregrounding: one originates from the differences between Chinese and English as two linguistic systems; the other one is caused by the author himself deliberately arranging linguistic resources.

The reason for literal translation is that to convey the same message, every language has its own sentence patterns or the order of arranging different components of a sentence. For example: “他昨天死了He died yesterday.” it is a normal expression in English. If we literally translate it into “He yesterday died”, it results in unnaturalness of target language, which is caused from the systematic differences between English and Chinese, but it is understandable. When it is generalized in other context, this kind of translation will be proven to be efficient. Although it sounds unnatural and it is different from the normal way of target language expression, this translation poses no difficulty in understanding and the form of source language is preserved, .

3.1 Application of Literal Approach in Chinese-English Translation

As for application of literal approach in Chinese-English translation, we cannot say that all of these things can use literal translation. That is to say, those sentences or figures of speech it is better to translate by means of literal translation should be done literally and those it is better to translate by means of free translation should be done freely. Eugene Nida puts it, "Natural translation involves two principal areas of adaptation, namely, grammar and lexicon". (Eugene Nida, 1984: 32)He also states that ‘a truly natural translation can in some respects be described more easily in terms of what it avoids than in what it actually states; for it is the presence of serious anomalies, avoided in a successful translation, which immediately strike the reader as being out of place in the context’. In Chinese-English translation, literal translation is not only induced from practice, but is a theoretical guideline in translation practice. Several conditions are called for in literal translation.

First, when our translated version has excluded vague ideas, literal translation should be first choice. Second, when we translated version accurately conveys scientific and technological concepts or data, literal translation is the most suitable. Third, when we translated version aims at conveying some certain cultural phenomena, literal translation will help achieve the equivalent between the target language text and the source language text, which in turn helps preserve the form and content of the source language text to the greatest extent, embodies the style and spirit of the source language text, and avoids misunderstanding of the target language text among the readers of the translated version.

3.2 Limitations

In the same language system, sometimes certain linguistic phenomenon is formed through the deviation from the linguistic norms on purpose. The translator should pay attention to the linguistic peculiarities achieved by the author himself deliberately arranging the resources. But that does not mean that only if there is cultural peculiarity achieved by the author himself deliberately arranging the resources, should translators literally translate it. There is a big problem in translation: the untranslatability. Because of the differences between English and Chinese, some linguistic peculiarities achieved by the author himself deliberately arranging the resources can not be literally translated. If the purpose of the source text is to convey a special meaning or achieve a particular effect, the target should also deviate from the linguistic norms of Chinese and this leads to cultural or linguistic unnaturalness of the target language. Secondly, whether the target language can be accepted and understood or not. If the target language which deviates from the linguistic norms in order to preserve the peculiarity of the source text is obscure and hard to understand, the source text has to be freely translated without foregrounding in the target text. For the cultural peculiarities achieved by the author himself deliberately arranging the resources, this paper will focus on the advantages of literal translation in the cyber age, and the focus is mainly concentrated on its advantages, instead of limitations.

4. Impact of the Cyber Age

With the development of technology, the world enters into an age of information. The Cyber Age provides us a new environment to do Chinese-English translation. People can use the internet to communicate with each other and learn more knowledge in order to understand the world better. Many things are no longer a mystery.

4.1 Characteristics of the Cyber Age

In the Cyber Age, TV, telephone and the Internet become the main symbols. Information and communication technology – computers, computerized machinery, fiber optics, communication satellites, Internet, and other tools have become a significant part of the economy. These are the characteristics of the Cyber Age.

4.2 Impact of the Cyber Age on Modern Transmission of Information

The world’s technological capacity to receive information through one-way broadcast networks was 432 exabytes of information in 1986, 715 exabytes in 1993, 1.2 zettabytes in 2000, and 1.9 zettabytes in 2007 (this is the information equivalent of 174 newspapers per person per day). The world"s effective capacity to exchange information through two-way telecommunication networks was 281 petabytes of information in 1986, 471 petabytes in 1993, 2.2 exabytes in 2000, and 65 exabytes in 2007 (this is the information equivalent of 6 newspapers per person per day). In the 1990s, the spread of the Internet caused a sudden leap in access to and ability to share information in businesses, at home and around the globe. Technology was developing so quickly that a computer costing $3,000.00 in 1997 would cost $2,000.00 two years later and only $1000.00 the following year. These data show us that the speed of modern transmission of information become quicker than ever before.

5. Literal Approach in Chinese-English Translation in the Cyber Age

Since people can communicate with each other easier than ever before in the Cyber Age, we can find that literal translation become a good and suitable way to do Chinese-English translation. The limitation in using literal translation changes in the Cyber Age.

5.1 Possibilities

Literal translation is an important part of Chinese-English translation study. Using the method of literal translation had a long history in the field of Chinese-English translation. From the disputes over the development of translation, we can see that literal translation can be regarded as the first and most important translation method during the very long history. And free translation can be regarded as a supplement to literal translation. That is to say, we should use literal translation while we can use it. If literal translation cannot express the meaning well, we should use free translation. Suppose that translation study is a machine, literal translation is a gear, free translation is oil at the same time.

In my point of view, we can use literal translation in the Chinese-culture-loaded figures and names of Chinese dishes, etc. We use literal translation to combine these complex things as a unit. Although we cannot use this way to translate all the situations, this process can simplify the way of translation.

5.2 Advantages

How to select translation method properly is a big problem for translators. Under the background of Cyber Age, many established translation may have a new change. With the development of the Internet, there is a great influence on using literal translation in Chinese-English translation. Under the impact of the Cyber Age, many cases that literal translation is not suitable changes. Most cases that we cannot use literal translation are caused by cultural difference – English speakers do not know Chinese culture well. Compared with free translation, literal translation has more advantages such as conciseness, authenticity, sustainment of cultural peculiarities, and promotion of culture transmission.

5.2.1 Conciseness

Literal translation requires translator to the target text word for word into Chinese and keeping the same structure as its original. When dealing with those sentences, translators need to translate Chinee one into English one word by one word, and achieve the surface meanings and its deeper meaning correctly but also obey the original structure. We can find the advantages of literal approach in Chinese-English translation in exact examples easily. Obviously, conciseness is one of these advantages. Because of the internet, we do not need to explain about some Chinese things. That means literal translation is more concise than free translation in structure.

E.g.:

(1) 还等在这里吗?

Original translation: Are you still waiting here?

Literal translation: Still waiting here?

The original translation version may not express the speaker’s idea or mood clearly. The original translation version just expresses a question while the second one expresses his/her surprise or other moods, so that we do not need to add other words such as subject.

(2) 沉默是金.

Original translation: Keep silent.

Literal translation: Silence is gold.

Gold can express your meaning completely. There is no need to explain it.

(3) 他是个纸老虎.

Original translation: He is strong in appearance but weak inside.

Literal translation: He is a paper-tiger.

Paper-tiger is a literal English translation of the Chinese phrase zhilaohu, which means something that seems as threatening as a tiger, but does not withstand challenge. The phrase is an ancient one in Chinese culture, but sources differ as to when it entered the English vocabulary. In the Cyber Age, many Chinese phrases and words become more and more popular in other countries. This situation offers us a good chance to use literal translation to express our meaning more directly.

5.2.2 Authenticity

Literal translation regards authenticity as the most important point.

E.g.:

(4) 做一天和尚撞一天钟.

Original translation: To take a passive attitude towards one’s work.

Literal translation: Be a monk for a day and strike the bell for a day.

Comparing with these two sentences, we can find that literal translation express the unit of monk in the original text which means authenticity while free translation not.

(5) 别流鳄鱼泪.

Original translation: Don’t pretend to be pitiful.

Literal translation: Don’t shed crocodile tears.

5.2.3 Sustainment of Cultural Peculiarities

Because Chinese linguistic system and English linguistic system are different, the linguistic norms are different between English and Chinese. The feature of English sentence is hypotaxis-prominent, so English sentences rely heavily on explicit formal structures for their functions. The relationship between the components in the sentence is indicated by morphological devices such as connectives and pronouns. The aim of translation is to promote cultural communication, and therefore, the sustainment of cultural peculiarities should be sometimes preserved.

Translating is communicating. Translators should pay attention to the communicative function of the source language text; however, the cultural background is of greater importance than functions. Because words only have meanings in terms of culture in which they function. The function of language is communication. So during the process of translating Chinese words, translators should try to counteract cultural differences and maintain the communicative functions of translation. When translating a Chinese words to English, how to exactly and accurately convey its lexical meaning must be firstly considered. Accordingly, the prime task of translators is to know the meaning and function of the source text so as to preserve the cultural peculiarities.

The so-called literal translation is a translation strategy realizing the translation purpose by virtue of corresponding source language text into target language text directly. It can not only keep the original structure of the source language text, but also are also the cultural peculiarities in both designative and associative meanings, which could have the same response of both source language readers and target language readers. Literal translation is widely used by translators, for it can clearly reflect the sense of concept, form and culture included in source texts. The translations of Chinese words should conform to the structures of the original words, with format consistency pursued. The most widely-known example is as follows.

E.g.:

(6) 癞蛤蟆想吃天鹅肉.

Original translation: One craves for what he is not worthy of/ aims at the moon.

Literal translation: A toad covets swan meat.

The word “癞蛤蟆” (toad) symbolizes ugliness, poorness or rudeness, and “天鹅” (swan) symbolizes beautifulness, wealth and nobleness for Chinese people, while Western people do not know this meaning. So we have to use “moon” to express the meaning of swan. But in the Cyber Age, Western people can get information from various ways so that they can know the meaning of toad or swan easily. We can try to use literal translation in order to sustain the cultural peculiarities on this occasion.

(7) 乘热打铁.

Original translation: Make hay while the sun shines.

Literal translation: Strike while the iron is hot.

“Strike while the iron is hot” means seizing the right moment to do something. Both the original translation and literal translation can express the whole meaning well. But in the Cyber Age, literal translation is the better choice. Literal translation uses the Chinese way to express the whole meaning; therefore, it can sustain the cultural peculiarities.

5.2.4 Promotion of Cultural Transmission

A good translation is tantamount to opening the way to the audience the perspective of exotic culture to better understand the diversity of world culture. Translation is a bridge over different cultures. To translate is to carry out intercultural communication. However, every nation has its own cultural features and cultural backgrounds. Different nations may have different customs, lifestyles, thought patterns and so on. In the translation process, these cultural differences should be paid special attention to and also be properly dealt with. A successful translator is required to good at the source language and target language, as well as the source culture and target culture. But how can the audience be curious about other cultures? Literal translation is a good weapon.

In Chinese-English translation, literal translation promotes culture exchange.

E.g.:

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