生态翻译学视角下中国特色词汇的英译—以2019年政府工作报告为例

论文总字数：33620字

摘 要

作为汉语里特有的语言现象，中国特色词汇的准确翻译至关重要。本文对生态翻译学进行了论述,强调了政府工作报告中中国特色词汇的重要性以及在英译过程中的难点。进而从生态翻译学中三维理论的角度出发，指出译者在翻译中国特色文化词汇过程中应充分发挥其主观能动性，主要表现为改写、增添、重组原文等来消除语言障碍。译者需借助于增译或省译等翻译方法不断地进行“适应”和“转换”，从而对传播中国文化做出贡献。

关键词：生态翻译学；中国特色词汇的英译；2019中国政府工作报告

Contents

1. Introduction 1

2. Literature Review 1

2.1 Eco-translatology 1

2.2 2019 Chinese Government Work Report 4

3. Difficulties in C-E Translation of Chinese-specific Terms 5

3.1 Lexical vacancies 6

3.2 Differences in cultural connotations 6

3.3 Rhetoric differences 7

3.4 Differences in ideology 7

4. Translation Techniques for C-E Translation of CST in 2019 Report on Government Work 7

4.1 Overall adaptation and selection in linguistic dimension 8

4.2 Adaptive balance and mediation in cultural dimension 10

4.3 Communication and adaptation in communicative dimension 11

5. Conclusion 13

Work Cited 14

1. Introduction

Recently, the English translation of Government Work Report (GWR for short) has attracted much attention from international translation circles, political circles and people from all walks of life. However, little attention has been paid to Chinese-specific Terms (CST for short) in GWR. The CST in GWR mainly reflects the latest development and present socialist China’s progress in different fields. In addition, the CST is usually covered in politics, economy and culture, which plays an important role in China’s global communication.

Based on Eco-translatology, this thesis studies the English translation of CST in 2019 GWR from the perspective of eco-translatological three-dimensional theory. This thesis applies the three-dimensional transformation in Eco-translatology to translation study of CST in 2019 GWR. On the basis of the principles of “adaptation” and “selection”, the translation is evaluated with the aim of developing its advantages and correcting its shortcomings so as to provide reference for future study of GWR.

This thesis falls into five parts. First of all, chapter 1 is a general description of this thesis. Secondly, Chapter 2 gives a literature review to this paper. Related studies of ET at home and abroad, as well as the GWR are to be covered. Thirdly, Chapter 3 includes the significance and difficulties in the translation of CST. Next, Chapter 4 is the main body of this paper, in which Eco-translatology is used to analyze the English translation of CST in 2019 GWR. Finally, Chapter 5 gives the conclusion of the study. Based on Eco-translatology, the author summarizes this thesis’s drawbacks and gives some advice.

2. Literature Review

2.1 Eco-translatology

This part introduces Eco-translatology and Government Work Report, as well as the Eco-translatology’s background, development and the previous studies about it.

2.1.1 Definition of Eco-translatology

Guided by Darwin"s theory of adaptation and selection, the theory of adaptation and selection in translation explores the relationship and mutual mechanism between translators" adaptation and selection in the “translation eco-environment”. From the perspective of adaptation and selection, this theory gives a new description and explanation of the essential process, criteria, principles and methods of translation, and constructs a translation theory that lays an emphasis on translator-centered.

Eco-translatology regards translation activities as a translational eco-community composed of “translation context translation translator”, which is a complex translation ecosystem (Yue,Yu 22). Macroscopic translation studies focus on the ecological system of translation, the integration of the ontological ecosystem of translation and the coordination and balance of translators" systems; middle-level translation studies focus on the ontological theory of translation, answering “what is translation”(translation is ecological balance, translation is text transplantation, translation is adaptation/selection.), “who is translating” (translator-centered, translator-responsible, translational eco-community) and “how to translate” (translation process, three-dimensional transformation, the integration of adaptation and selection, the optimal selection of ecological translation strategies and methods). The micro-translation studies focus on such issues as multi-transformation, environmental reconstruction, ecological dependence and text interference.

Eco-translatology has constructed a relatively complete theoretical discourse system, highlighting the importance of holism or relevance, dynamic balance of translation community, revealing translation ethics, advocating diverse and unified ecological rationality, embodying the principles of balance and harmony, multi-dimensional integration, multi-coexistence and translator"s responsibility. Its main translation concepts include the ecological balance and harmony of translation.

2.1.2 Previous studies on Eco-translatology in the west

As the global ecological theory booms, there have been a large number of studies in the international circles from the ecological perspectives of “ecology”, “environment” and “survival”. The relevant literatures are increasing day by day. Peter Newmark divided cultural intervention into five categories in 1988, the first of which is to employ the translation features of “ecology” (Newmark 95). Warren noted that only by adapting to a new environment can the translation survive (Warren 6). George Steiner once classified translation theory into two categories: the “universalist” theory and the “relativist” theory(Steiner 235), and considered that this classification was similar to the two basic approaches, namely, “the problem of global adaptation and local adaptation"(Lanceamp;Jacky 34). Andre Lefevere and Suan Bassnett described the translation context as “cultural environment” (Bassnett amp; Lefevere 4). Nida pointed out that “a translator must engage in thousands of decisions involving both selection and arrangement to fit another culture, a different language, diverse editors and publishers and finally a reading audience” (Nida 7).

After decades of developments, Eco-translatology has achieved quite good research results. Therefore, the author intends to study the 2019 GWR from the perspective of three-dimensional transformation of Eco-translatology.

2.1.3 Previous studies on Eco-translatology at home

Eco-translatology is a translation theory firstly initiated by a Chinese scholar, Hu Geng-shen, including three stages of developments as follows:

The period of initial argument: 2001-2004. Eco-translatology is mainly studied from meso and micro perspectives, with An Approach to Translation as Adaptation and Selection (2004) as the iconic achievement. In October 2001, Hu Geng-shen gave a translation lecture titled From the Darwinian Principle of Adaptation and Selection to Translation Studies at Hong Kong Baptist University. In December of the same year, the paper An Initial Exploration into an Approach to Translation as Adaptation and Selection was read at the 3rd ITF Translators Forum, marking the international translation community’s translation starting from the perspective of ecology. Later, Professor Hu Geng-shen published relevant research papers, either explaining “translation is adaptation or selection”(Hu 283-291), or explaining “translator-centred” (Hu 9-15). From the perspective of ecology, translation as adaptation and selection constructs a translator-centered translation theory and becomes one of the foundations of translation ontology and translation studies in Eco-translatology.

The period of deep research: 2005-2009. With the expansion of the macro-perspective of translation adaptation-selection theory and the exploration of its theoretical essence, Hu Geng-shen read a paper entitled Eco-translatology Interpretation at the International Symposium in August 2006 (later published in Chinese Translation). Many scholars have joined the academic team of Eco-translatology in theoretical construction and application, or evaluated the translation adaptation-selection theory (Li，Huang 95; Cai 58; Song 105), or exemplified the application of adaptation-selection theory(Hu 50), or explored the ecological turn in the field of translation Studies. Scholars have gradually shifted their horizons from adaptation-selection theory to Eco-translatology, which has set off an upsurge in the construction and theoretical application of Eco-translatology.

The period of overall creation: 2010~ . A growing number of researchers have noticed and participated in the study of eco-translation and the school of eco-translation has begun to take shape. The research contents include the construction of translation theory, such as the study of translation eco-environment (Fang 1) and the eco-rational characteristics of translation (Hu 96). Under these scholars’ promotion, Eco-translatology has become an ecological research paradigm.

2.2 2019 Chinese Government Work Report

The content of 2019 GWR is very extensive, including detailed plans for the realization of a well-off society and two-hundred-year plans in China. Meanwhile, the report has drawn up a grand blueprint to realize the great rejuvenation.

2.2.1 Definition of Government Work Report

In nature, the GWR is the concentrated reflection of our democratic politics. Governments at all levels, from the central government to the local government, report work to the people of their respective administrative regions every term or every year. This is a very good system, which is people-oriented and brings more benefits to the people. The most prominent GWR is issued by the central government of the PPC in every spring to the Two Sessions.

Compared with local GWR, the central GWR has more overall characteristics and is usually released in Chinese, English and other 6 major foreign languages. It is the product of our modern social politics and a faithful record of our political, economic advancement. What it reports is all about the interests of the country, the nation and the people. Therefore, it has become an urgent matter to study this style.

2.2.2 Previous studies on the English translation of Government Work Report

As China becomes more powerful, the accurate translation of GWR has become a major channel to global communication. Recently, some domestic scholars, Fang Wenli, Lujun,Wang Nongsheng have made researches on how to avoid mechanical correspondence, improper collocation and Chinglish.

As can be seen from the keyword “English translation of GWR” (May 1, 2019) searched in China National Knowledge Internet (CNKI), there are forty-five excellent master"s theses on studying the English translation of GWR, of which eighteen are from the perspective of Functional Translation Theory. For example, Yang Hua’s The Study on the English Version of 2017 GWR from the Perspective of Functionalism (2018). While some are comparative studies from the perspective of rhetoric, vocabulary or discourse respectively, for an instance, Shi Meimei’s A Study of Government Work Report of 2014 and Its Translation Strategies from Textual Rhetorical Perspective (2015). And only one is from the perspective of Eco-translatology, that is, Chen Huiling’s A Research on C-E Translation Strategies of 2014 GWR from the Perspective of Eco-translatology(2016). The above masters’ theses are based on a translation theory perspective to study the English translation of government work reports, but not from the linguistic, cultural and communicative dimensions to comprehensively analyze the translation. For one thing, it can give helpful suggestions for the study of English translation of GWR. For another thing, there still exists some drawbacks in such studies, which needs more consideration.

3. Difficulties in C-E Translation of Chinese-specific Terms

At present, China vigorously implements the strategy of “going global”, aiming at expanding China’s global attractiveness and influences by translating excellent Chinese products (Ling 54). China’s global communication covers various fields in ideology, politics, economy and culture, including important speeches by national leaders, government work reports, white papers and other forms. When translating those texts, the translators must exist highly political sensitivity and national responsibility. According to Liu Yafeng, “The purpose of external publicity is the purpose of publicity translation” (Liu 35). So accurate translation is very vital.

The rise of China and the increased influence of Chinglish in the global communication have led to more and more researches on CST in GWR. Some mainstream magazines and media have set up columns for the translation of CST. In addition, different scholars have set up different projects on English translation of CST mainly for the purpose of analyzing translation strategies and methods and summing up the difficulties in the translation of CST.

3.1 Lexical vacancies

The characteristics of language determine that two different languages can not guarantee one-to-one correspondence of vocabulary at the lexical level, which forms vocabulary vacancies. The main reasons for vocabulary vacancy are: differences in living environment and experience; differences in customs and religious beliefs; and differences in language and culture. Chinese-specific Terms account for a large proportion of the vocabulary vacancies, mainly referring to those words that are exclusive to a certain national culture or contain special cultural information, such as “供销社”(supply and marketing cooperatives) or “厕所革命”(the toilet revolution). In this case, the translators must turn to free translation. Sometimes, he has to be innovative and creative.

3.2 Differences in cultural connotations

Cultural connotations ( religious belief, background knowledge, cultural image) are very important in conveying Chinese and Western culture. In order to make the target text successfully express the connotation of the source text, besides mastering bilingual, it also need rich background knowledge. For an instance, “生态文明建设” in 2019 GWR, is transformed into “ecological conservation” instead of “civilization”. It reflects the responsibility and determination of our country to the global ecological environment construction.

3.3 Rhetoric differences

The rhetoric problems in the translation will inevitably affect the writer"s original intention, the reader"s understanding and even cause misunderstanding. Therefore, if the translators want to use language accurately, vividly and fully play its role as a communicative tool, they must study and pay attention to rhetoric. For example, in 2019 GWR, “僵尸企业”. The word “僵尸”uses a metaphor to express the feature of the enterprises.

3.4 Differences in ideology

As one type of governmental discourse, GWR has a strong ideology. A competent translator should correctly translate China"s national conditions, policies and the essence of Chinese culture so that the foreigners can understand China in a comprehensive, timely and real way (Zhang 70). The translators have to be both political sensitivity and ideological alertness in translating CST, such as “东北全面振兴、中部地区崛起、东部率先发展”. In 2019 GWR, it is translated into “northeast China"s full revitalization, central China"s rise, and east China"s trailblazing development”. In each phrase, adding a “China’s” in the translation indicates the belongings of each region. Another similar example is “上海自贸试验区” translated into “ the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone”.

4. Translation Techniques for C-E Translation of CST in 2019 Report on Government Work

This chapter aims to apply the Adaptation/Selection theory to study C-E translation of CST in 2019 GWR. The three basic stages in the process of translation, whether pre-translation preparation, multi-dimensional transformation in the process of translation or post-translation evaluation, can be regarded as adaptation to the overall translation eco-environment（short for TEE). Once the translator is assigned a translation task, his/her identity is not only a part of the TEE, but also decides the final version of the translation. Considering the special TEE of Government Work Report, the translators should make adaptive selections and transformations in linguistic, cultural and communicative dimensions.

In addition, the author mainly discusses the problem of translator’s translation, that is, translator’s awareness of translation and the translation techniques the translators adopt. For accurate translation, the translators should not only keep the national characteristics of the original text, but also be faithful to the content and style of the original text.

In conclusion, the specific examples can be shown as follows:

4.1 Overall adaptation and selection in linguistic dimension

“Transformation and Adaptive Selection of Linguistic Dimension” means that translators make a adaptive selection and transformation to linguistic form in the process of translation (Hu 235). Westerners are good at logical thinking and pursue rationalization and clarity, while Easterners prefer image thinking and emphasize perception and balance. In cross-cultural communication, the translators can’t be only satisfied with our own language advantages, be arrogant, ignore the objective reality, and blindly export our own culture (Liang 47).

With the aim of improving the quality of translation from the perspective of language consciousness, it is essential to clarify the discrepancies between two languages. All linguistic differences cause difficulties on foreign translation to a certain extent. At the same time, it also underlines the importance of linguistic awareness, that is, how to use language skillfully, consciously grasp the law of language contrast, adopt appropriate and acceptable expressions to disseminate culture, and easily and freely transform the two languages in order to achieve the best communicative effect.

Case1: ST:继续打好三大攻坚战，

TT: continue the three critical battles;

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