英语翻译教案.doc

Unit 1 Overview of Translation I. Important Role of Translation Translation is a rendering from one language into another, i.e. the faithful representation in one language of what is written or said in another language. As a means of communication, translation plays an important role in human civilization. In the West, literary translation can be traced back to 300BC,while in China, recorded translation activities are even earlier, dating from the Zhou Dynasty (1100BC). However, not until recent centuries, especially by the end of the 19th century did systematic study of translation get underway. In the past decades translation theories and activities have developed fast both at home and abroad. A proper and dexterous translation helps to promote mutual understanding between peoples of different cultural and social backgrounds, whereas a misunderstanding or improper rendering of words or expressions may lead to confusion even disasters. II. Nature and Scope of Translation What is translation? Some people believe it is a science, others take it as an art; and yet many consider it a craft, or rather, a skill. 翻译是一种艺术，而非科学。《英汉翻译津指》陈生保 翻译不仅是一种艺术，一种技巧，还是一门科学。所谓科学，是指可以采用处理语言结构的科学途径、语义分析的途径和信息论来处理翻译问题，也就是采取语言学的、描写的方法来解释翻译过程。奈达博士（美） 编译者认为，‘翻译是科学’的观点是不能成立的，翻译不是科学，翻译学才是科学。《新编奈达论翻译》谭载喜教授 2. Definition of Translation Translation is the closest natural equivalent of the source language message (Nida) This type of definition contains three essential terms: (1)equivalent, which points toward the source-language message, (2) natural, which points toward receptor language and (3) closest, which binds the two orientations together on the basis of the highest degree of approximation. 翻译是将一种文字之真义全部移至另一种文字而绝不失其风格的神韵。（吴献书，1949） 翻译是用一种语言把另一种语言所表达的思维内容准确而完整地重新表达出来的语言活动。（张培基，1980） 翻译的实质是语际的意义转换。（刘宓庆，1990） 翻译的定义应该是：“将一种语言传达的信息用另一种语言传达出来。”（蔡毅，1995） 翻译是将一种语言文字所蕴含的意思用另一种语言文字表达出来的文化活动。（王克非，1997） 翻译是语际之间的信息传递和语族之间的文化交流。（萧立明，2001 Translation covers a very broad range. In terms of language, it