The realization of zero translation largely depends on the translator's experience, knowledge, temperament, aesthetic concept, cultural accomplishment, bilingual level and translation attitude. In addition, the translator should also master certain zero translation skills. The author thinks that zero translation can be divided into absolute zero translation and relative zero translation. Absolute zero translation refers to the effect of translatability without using the target language vocabulary. There are two commonly used methods: omission translation and transfer translation. Relative zero translation refers to the clever use of the target vocabulary to express the meaning of the source vocabulary in a flexible way. The common methods are transliteration, simultaneous translation of sound and meaning, compensation, image translation, literal translation and domestication. The following is a brief description of various means to realize zero translation in English-Chinese translation and examples are given.
ellipsis
ellipsis refers to the fact that some words (or components) are indispensable in English but redundant in Chinese due to the differences in language usage between English and Chinese, so it is necessary to omit the untranslation in translation to make the translation more rigorous, concise and clear.
For example, at present, Chinese medicinal herbs are used to treat hepatitis. They prove to be very active for the disease. At present, Chinese herbal medicines are used to treat hepatitis, which has proved to be very effective. There have been good results in the experiments2 that have given him great adventure. The good results in the experiment gave him great encouragement. There was no snow, the leaves were gone rom the tress and the grass was dead. It didn't snow, but the leaves fell and the grass withered.
Transfer
Transfer refers to the direct "transplantation" of words from the source language into the target language. English words translated "zero" by this method are often found in Chinese newspapers.
For example, the English version of The Century of China was written by John Wiley &; Sons Publishing Company (Guangming Daily, 1st edition, March 7, 21) "; "In 1996, China made the transition to a country conforming to the provisions of Article IMF8, 32 years later than Japan (Reference News, 8th edition, March 4th, 21)"; "This is the rigorous period when IT drives Web and Web dominates IT. IBM calls it' e-commerce generation' (Guangming Daily, 3rd edition, February 28th, 21)"; "Enlighten.com recently launched GlobalEnglish's online enrollment activities in mainland China. The purpose of this activity is to introduce the world's advanced online learning mode into China and invite' e-Teach2er' home for people who want to learn English. After the course, the students of this website can get an internationally authoritative English certificate, and at the same time get English credits from CONTRA COSTA, a famous American college. GlobalEng2lish online English includes general English and business English. (China Education News, 4th edition, March 24th, 21) "and so on.
Similar transliteration includes WTO, CD, VCD, DVD, MTV, e-mail, Internet, TMD, IP, etc., and some special terms. This method of "transliteration" conforms to the progress of the times, the development of society and the further globalization of economy, and also conforms to the trend of more extensive and frequent exchanges between the East and the West, and also reflects the changes brought about by cultural exchanges and mutual influence on language.
transliteration
Transliteration is a translation method that translates source words into target words according to pronunciation. This method is often used to translate people's names, place names, brand names and some innovative words in the source language.
cool example, Owen (Owen), Einstein (Einstein), Bush (Bush), Greenwich (Greenwich), Virginia (Virginia), OPEC (OPEC), Audi (Audi), Motorola (Motorola), Martell (Martell), Hacker (hacker). Clone, gene, Boeing747, Nokia, talk show, etc.
simultaneous translation of sound and meaning
Sound-meaning combination translation refers to the method of translating English words into Chinese words by combining the partial pronunciation of the original words with the (partial) meaning of the original words.
For example: pickup (pickup truck), AIDS (AIDS), yuppie (yuppie), genebank (gene bank), Internet (Internet), bungee jumping (bungee jumping), Macarena (macarena dance), Nippon Paint (nippon paint) and mini- skirt.
Compensatory translation
Compensatory translation refers to transliteration of source words into target words, which can produce just the right meaning to compensate for the semantic loss caused by the translation process. This translation method can give readers of the target language a certain association, thus deepening their understanding and impression of the source language vocabulary. This method is mostly used in the translation of trademark words.
For example, the translation of Coca Cola into Coca Cola vividly reminds Chinese readers of the refreshing and pleasant feeling brought by this drink, that is, "delicious" and "coke". In fact, its name has a sense of coincidence of sudden meeting and silent agreement. Benz was originally translated as "Ben Ci", which is purely transliteration and has no figurative meaning. Later, it was translated as "Mercedes-Benz", which easily reminds people of the speed of cars, which is extraordinary; Head & Shoulders shampoo, originally transliterated as "Helen Xiandusi", is cumbersome and unclear. It is far less beautiful than the current translation of "Head & Shoulders" and better reflects the characteristics of the product. There are Pepsicola (Pepsi), Goldlion (Goldlion), Brandy (Brandy), Budweiser (Budweiser), Philip (Philip), Whisper (Hushubao), Hismanal (Sismin), Nike (Nike), Safeguard (Shufujia) and so on.
image translation
image translation refers to the translation method that words used to describe the shape of something in English are also translated into Chinese with the help of concrete images.
For example: U- shaped (horseshoe), Parabola (parabola), T- bandage (T-belt), Zigzag incision (I- section), V- band2ing(V-ligation), Y-graf (Y-graft), CLAW. Coronary artery (coronary artery), crossshapedplate (cross plate), C network (C-shaped network), H-column (H-shaped pile), J- display (J-shaped display), Ishapedst ringer (I-shaped longitudinal beam), K-Strout (K-shaped pillar), T- nut (T-nut), T- network (T-four-terminal network), T-iron (T-iron), U-iron (channel iron), U-pipe(U-tube), V- belt (V-belt), V- stay (V-cable) and diamond sign (diamond sign).
literal translation with notes
Due to the differences in religious beliefs, political systems, and human history, it is inevitable that there will be word gaps between Chinese and English due to cultural differences. In translation, literal translation may make it difficult or impossible for the target readers to understand the information expressed by the source vocabulary, so it is often necessary to make up for the possible loss of the source meaning in the target language by means of annotation.
for example, let both sides unite to heeded in all corners of the earth the command of Isaiah to "undo the heavy burdens ... (and). Let the opposed goffree ".(John Kennedy: Inaugural Speech) Translation: No matter where we are on the earth, let us both remember the great trust of the prophet Isaiah (a biblical figure):" Unload the burden and let all oppressed people be free ". Isaiah is a prophet, from the Old Testament of the Bible. He is educated, talented and knowledgeable. Fearless of power and danger, he predicted that Israel would be saved one day. Kennedy mentioned this name in his short inaugural speech, and its appeal and implication are self-evident to westerners who believe in Christianity. However, if Isaiah is literally translated as "Isaiah" without annotation, Chinese readers will not be able to understand the sense of mission given by God in the source language. Similar translations include: American Dream (American Dream), Aunt Jemima (Aunt Jemima, originally a black closet lady in American commercial advertisements, refers to a black woman who obeys white people), Brompton cocktail (Brompton cocktail, actually referring to cancer painkillers, named after its first use at Brompton Chest Hospital in London) and so on.
adaptation
Domestication translation refers to the method of translating the source words with words that have similar expressive functions to the source words but often have some cultural colors of the target language.
the famous BALL MALL (cigarette) is translated into "Shun" brand, which is a typical example. The original meaning of BALL MALL is "stadium", but BALL harmonizes the sound of "wave" and MALL harmonizes the sound of "drowning", and the waves disappear. Is there any reason why the sea is not calm? And the ship sailing on the calm sea is not smooth sailing? Therefore, the translation of BALLMALL into "Shun" conforms to the Chinese people's psychology of paying attention to "Great Shun" and has obvious Chinese cultural color. Another example is e&; YOU, the brand name of clothing, is translated as "Yi Cute", which reminds Chinese readers of the charm that this brand of clothing has added to people. The American sports series product "Nike" can be traced back to the Greek goddess. The word was used in the name of a missile in the 195s, which made the word contain the meaning of speed and strength. Translate it into "Nike" to make it durable. The word "gram" contains the meaning of defeating opponents, winning the competition and being invincible, which coincides with the original intention of "goddess of victory".