ABSTRACT

Translation is a process that a source-language is rendered into an target-language. Free translation and literal translation are the basic methods applied in English-Chinese translation, both of which are opposite and complementary, aiming to completely reproduce the original content, style, type of writing and connotation faithfully, smoothly and elegantly to make readers understand the expressions and writing objectives of the authors of the original. Free translation does not cling to the forms of the original, but it should follow some certain principles and approaches, instead of translating randomly. For translators the top priority is how to make the target-language subject into the original and reproduce the main contents. Based on the basic principles of syntax and translatology, this paper compares literal translation with free translation, sysmatically exploring the five approaches to free translation, namely, amplification, omission, conversion, division and combination in the perspective of the structures of the English and Chinese languages.

Key Words: the target language; the original; translation; free translation; approach

CONTENTS

摘要

ABSTRACT

1.Introduction-1

1.1 The Definition and the Essence of Translation-1

1.2 The Principles or Criteria of Translation.-1

1.3 The Process of English-Chinese Translation-2

1.3.1 Understanding-2

1.3.2 Expressing-2

1.3.3 Checking-2

2.Translating Techniques in English-Chinese Translation-3

2.1 Literal Translation-3

2.2 Free Translation-3

2.3 The Combination of Literal Translation and Free Translation-3

3.Basic Approaches to Free Translation in English-Chinese Translation-4

3.1 Amplification-4

3.1.1The Need of Grammar-4

3.1.2 The Need of Significance-5

3.1.3 The Need of Rhetoric-6

3.2 Omission-6

3.2.1 Grammatical Omission-6

3.2.2 Rhetorical Omission.-8

3.3 Conversion-8

3.3.1 Conversion of Part of Speech-8

3.3.2 Conversion of Sentence Components-11

3.3.3 Conversion of Means of Expression-13

3.3.4 Conversion of Natural order and Inverted order-13

3.3.5 Conversion of Affirmative Expression and Negative Expression-14

3.3.6.Conversion of Active Voice and Passive Voice.-15

3.3.7 Conversion of Clauses.-16

3.4 Division-16

3.4.1 Division of Words-16

3.4.2 Division of Phrases-17

3.4.3 Division of Sentences-17

3.5 Combination-18

4.Conclusion-19

References-20

Acknowledgements-21