汉译英翻译的定义翻译是指把一种语言文字的意义转换成另一种语言文字。
简言之，翻译是一种用不同的语言文字将原文作者的意思准确地再现出来的艺术。
从以上翻译定义我们知道，原文的思想必须尽可能得到保持，不可有所增删。
译者的任务只是转换文字而不是改变其意思。
因此，翻译有两种要素：准确性与表达性。
准确性是翻译的首要条件。
译者必须谨慎地遵循原作者的意思，所选用的字词和句式结构必须如实地传达出原文的思想。
表达性是让译文易于理解。
换言之，译者必须用自己的手段尽可能地将原文的思想清楚而有力地表达出来。
准确性使译出的思想明确无误，而表达性则使译文生动，具有魅力。
Definition of TranslationTranslation means the conversion of an expression from one language into another. To say it plainly, translation is an art to reproduce the exact idea of the author by means of a language different from the original. From the above definition of translation we know that the original thought of the expression must be kept as far as possible. Nothing should be added to or taken away from the original work. The duty of the translator is simply to change the vocabulary, not the thought. In translation therefore, there are two essential elements: accuracy and expressiveness. Accuracyis the first indispensable quality of translation. The translator must cautiously stick to the author’s idea. Words selected and sentences constructed must be such as to convey the exact original thought. Expressiveness is to make the translation readily understood. In other words, the translator must express the author’s idea as clearly and as forcibly as he can by the medium he employs. Accuracy is to make the thought definite and exact; while expressiveness is to make the translation vivid and attractive.上海1)上海位于长江入海口，是中国最大的城市，同时也是一座历史文化名城和著名的旅游城市。
上海是中国最大的经济中心，是全国最重要的工业基地，也是重要的贸易、金融和文化中心。
ShanghaiLocated on the estuary of the Yangtze River, Shanghai is not only the largest city in China but also a famous city of history, culture and tourism. It is the biggest economic center and the most important industrial base in China, a hub of trade, finance and culture as well.2）在古代，上海就曾经是贸易港口、全国最大的棉织业中心、贸易大港和漕粮运输中心，被称为“江海之通津，东南之会都”。
鸦片战争以后，上海辟为通商口岸，设立租界，设银行、办工厂。
开洋行，中国主权一度失落。
在近代，上海曾被称为“冒险家的乐园”。
成为一个工商业畸形发展的城市。
“两千年历史看西安，一千年历史看北京，一百年历史看上海”。
上海是近现代中国的“缩影”。
In ancient times, Shanghai was a big trading port, the largest textile center in the country, and the center to transport grain to the capital. People used to say Shanghai was the "port connecting rivers and oceans, and the capital of the southeast China". After the Opium Wars, Shanghai was opened to the West as a trading port. Western countries secured concessions, set up banks, established factories and opened their stores in Shanghai. China's sovereignty was then severely challenged. In modern times, the lopsided development of industry and commerce gave Shanghai a reputation as a city for adventurers. It is said thatXi'an reflects China's history of 2,000 years, while Beijing mirrors its history of 1,000 years. To know China's history in the latest 100 years, you'd better look at Shanghai―the epitome of modern and contemporary China.3）今日的上海，交通四通八达，是中国最大港口、华东地区最大的交通枢纽，沪宁、沪杭两条铁路干线的起点，又是中国重要航空中心和国际航空港之一。
Shanghai now has transport lines extending in all directions. It is the largest port in China, the largest transportation hub in East China, the starting point of Huning (Shanghai-Nanjing) and Huhang (Shanghai-hangzhou) railways, an important aviation center of China, and one of the international aviation ports.这里有发达的商业，是中国特大型综合性贸易中心和国际经济、金融、贸易中心之一。
With its advanced commerce, Shanghai is a super large comprehensive trading center of China, and one of the international economic, financial and trading centers.4）上海具有中西交融的独特气质，极具现代化而又不失中国传统特色。
在上海，有外滩老式的西洋建筑，也有浦东现代的摩天大厦，有徐家汇大教堂，也有玉佛寺。
在这里沪剧、滑稽戏和交响乐、芭蕾舞同时被人们所欣赏，大家可以品尝本邦佳肴、各地小吃，也可以吃到法国大菜、美式快餐。
Shanghai has the unique atmosphere of mixture of West and East, old and new. In Shanghai, the west buildings of the Bund retain much of their previous grandeur, while the skyscrapers in Pudong are just as spectacular. There are also Xujiahui Cathedral and the Jade Buddha Temple. In Shanghai one can enjoy the pleasure of watching Hu (Shanghai) Opera, farce and ballet, appreciating symphony. One can not only taste local dishes and delicacies all over the country, but also enjoy French cuisine and American fast food.推荐信尊敬的女士、先生：我是清华大学人文学院的一名教授，郑重向您们推荐我校中文系四年级学生张秀芳女士去贵校研习。
清华大学人文学院中文系实验班引导大学生从文学和文化的角度去攻读中外文学，力求为他们在中西学术融合方面打下坚实的基础。
这个班卓有成效，培养了许多品学兼优的学生；张秀芳就是其中的佼佼者。
她多次获奖，并已出版长篇小说两本，在多种报刊上发表作品数十篇。
她在语言学、哲学、艺术、计算机、电影、戏剧等领域都选读过课程，并在多门兴趣浓厚的课程取得了第一名。
如果她有机会到美国大学研习，逐渐熟悉西方文化，将来在中西文化或中西文学的相互比较上将会有创造性的成就。
张秀芳在清华大学人文学院中文系实验班读书四年，表现突出，崭露天才，如有机会深造，将来必有成就。
清华大学人文学院教授张国泰二〇〇二年十一月五号于中国北京A Recommendation LetterSchool of Humanities and Social ScienceTsinghua UniversityNovember 5,2002 Dear Sir of Madam,As a professor of School of Humanities and Social Science, Tsinghua University, I seriously recommend Zhangxiufang,a senior student of our department,to persue her postgraduate study at your department.Ms.Zhang has been studying in the experimental class of School of Humanities and Social Science for nearly four years,and she has distinguished herself in her studies and displayed her remarkable talent in almost every aspect.Given the chance of advanced education abroad,she’ll surely make great achievment in the near future. The experimental class trains students to study Chinese and Western literature from the literature and culture perspective, trying to pave a solid foundation for the students who are supposed to be accomplished in both Chinese study and Western Study. This class turns out to be quite a success, having brought up a lot of students of good character and fine scholarship, among whom Mr.Zhang is an outstanding one. She has been awarded scholarship every semester. She has published two novels and dozens of literary writing in several kinds of magazines and newspapers. What’s more, she has attended a lot of courses such as language, philosophy, art, computer, film, drama, etc. many of which with the highest marks in her class. If she is given the chances of advanced education in USA and get acquainted with western culture, I believe she’ll make some pioneering achievements in both Chinese and Western cultures and literature. Therefore, with great pleasure I write this letter to recommend her for her further study at your department.I an looking forward to hearing from you.Sincerely yoursZhang GuotaiProfessor of School of HumanitiesTsinghua University。