I. Translation placed in awkward situation:
a) Smaller percentage in current exam papers
Name Entrance Exam for Higher Educatio n CET Band-4 for English Majors CET Band-8 for English Majors CET Band-4 CET Band-6 Entrance Exam for Master Program
E32% C38%
E30% C40%E20% C10%
The exam pattern in those years resulted from translation and grammar-oriented teaching method, under which a group of foreign language elites were brought up with solid foundation in both Chinese and English and especially in written translation (E-C).
Part Two
Rational thinking about translation 1.Translation involves far more than replacement of lexical and grammatical items e.g 新纺棉纱精梳秀 Combed Cotton Yarn---A Famous Brand Woven Out of Fine Threads 鱼米之乡 land flowing with milk and honey 让新疆走向世界,让世界了解新疆 Better exchanges between Xinjiang 让新疆走向世界 让世界了解新疆 and rest of the world 奉献能源,创造和谐 奉献能源 创造和谐 Clean energy supply for better environment 2. 王佐良言:翻译者的辛勤劳动才使得一国的文化的遗产能为全世界 王佐良言: 人所用,还因为译者作的文化比较远比一般人细致深入, 人所用,还因为译者作的文化比较远比一般人细致深入,他处理的是个别的 面对的则是两大文化. 词,面对的则是两大文化. 新疆高校一定要做到政治家办校 (王乐全在新疆高校工作会议上的讲 王乐全在新疆高校工作会议上的讲 话) Xinjiang institutions of higher education must be run by ideological qualifiers 政治家不能直译为politician (政客 因为这个词在他们文化中是贬义 政治家不能直译为 政客), 政客 如果直译,其效果是严重背离本义 而政治家在这个上下文中,意思是指那 其效果是严重背离本义;而政治家在这个上下文中 词.如果直译 其效果是严重背离本义 而政治家在这个上下文中 意思是指那 些符合共产党意识形态的人. 或翻"文化" 些符合共产党意识形态的人 看来翻译是翻 "意"或翻"文化". 这一点许 多翻译理论家都作了点击. 多翻译理论家都作了点击.
Percentage of Translation in entrance exam paper in the previous years
Years 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1978
Percen E40% tage C40%
E36% C40%
E26% C36%
1) Translating is the top attainment of reading.
e.g It is in the understanding of architecture as a medium for the expression of human attitudes, prejudices, taboos and ideals that the new architectural criticism departs from classical aesthetics. 建筑作为媒介可以表达人们的态度, 建筑作为媒介可以表达人们的态度, 偏见,禁忌和理想, 偏见,禁忌和理想,正是对它的不同认识从而构成新建筑批判主义和古典审美观的 分水岭. 分水岭. "Handsome" is the musculine equivalent of--- and refusal of---a compliment which has accumulated certain demeaning overtones by being reserved for women only. "英俊"是阳刚之气的同义词,与那种积淀的某种专给女性用的带有 英俊"是阳刚之气的同义词, 英俊 蔑视口吻的赞美之词确实是格格不入. 蔑视口吻的赞美之词确实是格格不入. Besides, the whole toffeeness of toffees was imperceptibly diminished by the gross act of having eaten it. 而且,还没有尝出太妃糖的滋味,就三下五除二 而且,还没有尝出太妃糖的滋味, 吃掉了. 吃掉了.
1.Better Translating, better writing Ideas conceived in Chinese but conveyed in English Translating skill helps adapt Chinese expression and enhance readability 2.Translation involves large vocabulary, solid grammar, extensive reading and good knowledge about cultural background
II) Radioactive effect of translation upon other subjects
Translation, as an independent discipline, owns its separate theoretical system and corresponding practice methods and also maintains organic ties with other subjects (intensive reading, grammar, oral, listening, extensive reading, writing, vocabulary, Chinese and culture etc.
b) Call put by our times
1) Better cognitive power side by side with poor communicative performance 2) Inevitable outcome of stereotyped exam papers and crazy idea about English
III) Measures taken against such a situation A.Increase in C-E translation exercise in College English Textbook (1),(2) B.Translation exercise extended all the way to College English Book (6) C.C-E translation considered to be put into exam papers for CET Band-4, Band-6 and entrance exam for master program for on-the-job candidates in near future
II) Paradoxical situation at present time
a.More on the one hand, fewer on the other b.A batch of first-rate translators still shine in China's circle of translation, with their education background dated back to 1950's and 1960's. c.Numerous young and middle-aged translators with easier access to information are inferior to their former generations in this field. 1) Fewer hours spent reading books 2) lack of down-to-earth attitude 3) misguided by catchphrases 4) result of exam-oriented teaching and learning
第一章
Success Typified by Translation ---English Teaching and Learning in a New Perspective
Preface:
a) English teaching and learning is motivated
by better quality of English language. Better quality stands for fluent communicative power Communicating equals to translation (Eugene Nida)