Commonly used techniques in English-Chinese translation: augmented translation and omitted translation

There are great differences between English and Chinese in terms of syntax, vocabulary, rhetoric, etc., so when doing English-Chinese translation You will inevitably encounter many difficulties when translating between each other, and you need certain translation skills for guidance. Below are two commonly used translation techniques that I have compiled. I hope they can help you! Commonly used skills in English-Chinese translation: Translation augmentation and translation omission 1

1. The meaning of translation translation

It refers to adding some vocabulary and expressions that are not in the original text to the translation without affecting the meaning of the original text. This definition gives the premise of augmented translation, that is, it cannot affect the meaning of the original text. We cannot augment the translation as much as we want. This premise draws a bottom line for us to use augmented translation.

2. Classification of additional translation

Additional translation can be roughly divided into two categories: grammatical additional translation and content additional translation.

Grammatical translation refers to the use of some conjunctions and prepositions in the target text (English) to meet grammatical requirements. Content augmentation refers to the additional translation of the implicit content of the original text in some informal styles, not to comply with grammatical requirements, but to make the translation more authentic and smooth.

3. Example explanation

1. Original text: I'm sorry that I was sick yesterday and didn't come to class.

Translation: Sorry about my absence yesterday, but I was sick.

Explanation: The translation adds the preposition about and the conjunction but, which is a grammatical addition. The reason why this is done is because English is a language that attaches great importance to logic, and the original text also implies "causal relationship", that is, illness is the cause and failure to come to class is the result. Because the translation added "but" to express this implicit logic, it seems excusable.

2. Original text: He put his hands in his pockets.

Translation: He put his hands into pockets.

Explanation: The adjective possessive pronoun "his" is added in the translation here because Chinese does not need to say "He put his hands into pockets." "Hand", but in English, it must be clearly stated whose hand it is. When translating, you must think logically in English! This example is a grammatical addition.

3. Original text: Fake and shoddy

Translation: Forgery and illegal imitation of brand-name products.

Explanation: The four words of the original text are translated like this A long sentence. The additional translation of imitation of brand-name products in the translation is a specific explanation of the abstract word fake. It is an additional translation of content.

4. Original text: Please do not get in or out of the car until it has stopped.

Translation: Do not enter or exit while the vehicle is moving.

Explanation: The addition of while is obviously a grammatical addition.

5. Original text: Body-brain inversion (blue-collar income is higher than white-collar income)

Translation: Physical labor is paid more than mental work.

Explanation: Translation The body-brain inversion, that is, the income of blue-collar workers is higher than that of white-collar workers, is explained in detail, and it is an additional translation of the content.

Therefore, it is often necessary to add conjunctions when translating from Chinese to English. English sentences are inseparable from prepositions and articles. In addition, when translating from Chinese to English, we should also pay attention to adding some words that are implicit but not explicit in the original text and some general and explanatory words to ensure the complete meaning of the translated text. In short, through additional translation, one is to ensure the complete grammatical structure of the translation, and the other is to ensure that the meaning of the translation is clear.

Such as:

　(1)What about calling him right away?

What do you think about calling him right away? (Added translation of subject and predicate)

(2)If only I could see the realization of the four modernizations.

If only I could see the realization of the four modernizations.

　(3) Indeed, the reverse is true

　The actual situation is exactly the opposite. (Additional translation of noun)

(4) Even the people of fascist countries are deprived of their human rights.

Even the people in the fascist countries were stripped of their human rights. (Additional translation of possessive pronouns)

(5) Only state officials are allowed to set fires, but the people are not allowed to light lamps.

While the magistrates were free to burn down house, the common people were forbidden to light lamps. (Additional translation conjunction)

(6) This is another incident between the people of our two countries. ***Same point.

This is yet another common point between the people of our two countries. (Added preposition)

(7) In the field of human rights, China opposes the use of force to bully the small and the use of force to bully the small. weak.

In the field of human rights, China opposes the practice of the big oppressing the small and the strong bullying the weak. (Additional translation implies words)

(8) Three stinkers Cobbler, combined into one Zhuge Liang.

Three cobblers with their wits combined equal Zhuge Liang the mastermind. (Additional translation of annotative words) Commonly used skills in English-Chinese translation: Additional translation method and omission translation method Chapter 2

1. Province Meaning of translation method

This is a translation method corresponding to the augmented translation method, that is, deleting words that do not conform to the thinking habits, language habits and expressions of the target language to avoid cumbersome translations. The example sentences of the additional translation method can be reversed.

1. Examples of Provincial Translation

(1)You will be staying in this hotel during your visit in Beijing.

You will stay in this hotel during your visit in Beijing. In this hotel. (Provincial translation of possessive pronouns)

(2)I hope you will enjoy your stay here.

I hope you will enjoy your stay here. (Provincial translation of possessive pronouns)

(3) The Chinese government has always attached great importance to environmental protection.

The Chinese government has always attached great importance to environmental protection. (Provincial translation noun) ;