Abstract:The thesis aims to study the Chinese pivotal sentence and ways of translating it better and more fluently. Through analyzing the meaning and translation of the pivotal sentence and similar, related sentences, such as subject-predicate structures as object, sentences of verbal construction in series, double-object sentences etc, we can find out more cultural differences between Chinese and English. First, this thesis will explain the definitions of the pivotal sentence and those similar sentences, then, comparisons are made to show differences between them, and finally, ways of translating the pivotal sentences usually used are discussed. Comparisons will be made through extracts from different translators and translations of different works to help better explain the usages and translating methods of the pivotal sentence. 

Key words:  Chinese pivotal sentence; translation into English; comparison

Table of Contents

Abstract

中文摘要

1. Introduction-1

1.1 Literature review-1

1.2 Significance of Research on the Translation of the Chinese Simple Sentence-1-2

1.3 Structure of this Paper-2

2. Definition and Types of the Pivotal Sentence-3

2.1 Definition of the Chinese Pivotal Sentence-3

2.2 Types of Pivotal Sentences-3

2.2.1 The Pre-pivot Verb Denotes Request, Permission or Compelling3

2.2.2 The Pre-pivot Verb Denotes Emotion or Evaluation 4

2.2.3 The Pre-pivot Verb Denotes Naming, Choice or Appointment 4

2.2.4 The Pre-pivot Verb Denotes Cause and Effect .4

2.2.5 The Pre-pivot Verb Denotes Possesion or Existence 4

3. Difference between the Pivotal Sentence and Some Other Patterns.5

3.1 Difference between the Pivotal Sentence and a Sentence with Subject-predicate Structure as Object5-6

3.2 Difference between the Pivotal Sentence and a Sentence with Verbal Construction in Series6

3.3 Difference between the Pivotal Sentence and the Double-object Sentence.6

4. Various Ways of translating the Pivotal Sentence7

4.1 Translation of a Pivotal Sentence Whose Pre-pivot Verb Denotes Request, Order or Permission……….7

4.2 Translation of a Pivotal Sentence Whose Pre-pivot Verb Denotes Emotion or Evaluation…………….7-8

4.3 Translation of a Pivotal Sentence Whose Pre-pivot Verb Denotes Naming, Choice or appointment…. .8-9

4.4 Translation of a Pivotal Sentence Whose Pre-pivot Verb Denotes Cause and Effect………………… .9

4.5 Translation of a Pivotal Sentence Whose Pre-pivot Verb Denotes Possession or Existence………….9-10

5. Conclusion-11

6. References-12

5. Acknowledgement-13