ju miao nankai university. translational activities escort the eternal evolution of human...
TRANSCRIPT
Ju Miao Nankai University
Translational activities escort the eternal
evolution of human civilization. In the
pursuit of spiritual and material life,
mankind has benefited from a wide range
of translational activities extending
infinitely into a new period of modern
history.
delineates four significant translational
climaxes in the Chinese history, depicting
the social background, features of the
practice and contributions to the social
development.
delineates four significant translational climaxes
in the Chinese history, depicting the social
background, features of the practice and
contributions to the social development.
further overview of translation studies in the
chronological progression and translation
practice today in the digital age, initiating quests
for truth in the practice
Supporting details:Supporting details:
•• Historical periods -- active/productive translational activities -- contributions to the Chinese society
• Theoretical discussions on translation in
China • Developments in the translation circle
I. The Four Climaxes of Translationin the Chinese History
1. The translation of Buddhist scriptures
( 148—1111 )
Social background••Zhangqian brought back the Buddhist
scriptures.
•The ruling class found interests in the tenets—enduring the hardships in life and entering the holy world after life.
•The avocations strengthened the power of
the feudalist rule.
•Buddhism became legitimate/prevalent as the tool.
Historical periods
•• The Eastern Han Dynasty
• The Period of the 16 States
• The North and the South Dynasties
• The Tang and the Song Dynasties
Major translatorsForeign translators
•Anqing, 40 volumes, literal translation, features
shown-- complying with the form,
clear/concise/plain/elegant.
•Zhiqian, 14 volumes, literal translation, quest
for meaning, translation difficulties: difference
in concepts/objects, difficulty in exact
message /conveyance of meaning.
Major translators
Chinese translators:
• Shidaoan,
Organized translational occasions, commented on translation,
Translation is distorted in 5 cases, referring to
syntactic/stylistic differences
Translation is difficult in 3 situations, in time/ wisdom differences (saint, elite / common subject).
Chinese translators:
• Jiumoluoshi,
131 volumes, prolific translator, first in free translation, vivid/delightful descriptions, providing the basis for literary translation.
Revision stage added to the procedures--
Oral delivery of the original ---conveyance of the messages ---textualization ---revision.
Chinese translators:
•Jiumoluoshi
Commented on translating scriptures:
Messages obtained, but styles lost, as if food
chewed for the other: not only flavors lost, but
also disgusting.
Chinese translators:
• Xuanzhuang,
Supervised large translation occasions,
organized specific operational procedures,
hundreds of volumes, best quality in scripture
translation, quantity / quality Combined literal with free translation, applied
translation techniques-- compensation, adaptation, omission, disposition
Positing for translating the sound rather than the meaning in 5 cases.
Proposition: Quest for exact meaning, seek for explicit rendering.
Translated Chinese classics Daodejing into Sanskrit
Characteristics•• Joint-efforts—foreign/Chinese monks
•• Government-funded
•• Oral delivery in the source, textualization in
the target, polishing,
•• Large scale translation occasions
••Philosophical notions in the scriptures were interpreted with the metaphysics of Laozi/Zhuangzi, to influence the development of Daoism.
•• Promote logical thinking and form logics in China.
••Enlarge Chinese vocabulary, enrich the expressiveness, become part of Chinese culture
••Stylistic influence on Chinese classical writing, leading to literary forms
••Enrich imagination, increase metaphor/simile in Chinese thinking
Benefits
2.The introduction to western
culture (1601—1724)
Social background
•European countries entered the period of capitalist accumulation in the 16th century and colonialist invasions began.
•Western missionaries spread their religion in various parts of China.
•They carried out academic missions, translating religious doctrines.
Historical periods
•The late Ming Dynasty •The early Qing Dynasty
Major translators Western missionaries:
• Luomingjian and Limadou
Italian,established the Catholic Church in Beijing, cooperated
with Chinese scholars, translating missionary works, works of science, Chinese classics
• PangdiwoSpanish, translating western sciences, astronomy
mathematics, physics, metallurgy
Major translators Chinese scholars:
• Xuguangqi
One of the three Chinese pillars in translating
western works, scientific/philosophic, in the
hope to strengthen the nation by science and
technology, co-worked with foreign missionaries
to translate geometry, measurement
Chinese scholars:
• Lizhizao, Yangtingjun
The other 2 pillars, exploring works of
science, philosophy, logics, both
commented on translation.
•• Introducing western culture, science and technology to ancient China,
••Appealing to Chinese intellectuals for patriotism and social progress,
••Promoting cultural exchanges, and the development of science and technology in China.
Benefits
Social background
The nation was in crisis after the defeat in the Jiawu War. The reformists looked for ways to social change.
Intellectuals admired western politics for political reform.
Social background
The government sent out students to
the West in large numbers.
Newspapers/magazines began to
publish translations, translation press/
agencies became popular.
From the Opium War (1840) to Jiawu War (1894)
From the Jiawu War to the late Qing Dynasty (1910)
Well-known scholar/ translator for introducing western academics, with patriotic passion and strong belief to save the country by learning from the West
Translated western works in philosophy, economy, politics, law, ethics, sociology, logics
Yan Fu
Brought about fresh ideas/ knowledge/ methodology/ world outlook to the Chinese intellectual circle,
Evolution and Ethics 天演论, Natural selection 物竞天择, Survival of the fittest 适者生存
Proposed the 3 words translation criteria that lasted for a century–
信 达 雅 : Faithfulness, Expressiveness, Elegance
Well-known literary scholar/ translator, with strong patriotic passion and belief to save the country by learning from the West
Translated enormously foreign literary works, to introduce the concepts of democracy and freedom, with the purpose to promote social change
Influenced Chinese literature with novels shifting from advocating to describing as the feature
literary works translated : David Copperfield, Hamlet, Ivanho,
Uncle Tom’s Cabin, la dame aux camélias
Lin Shu
Politician/ reformist, translator/
translation theorist, translating from
Japanese, theory on translation, studies
on the translation of Buddhist
scriptures.
Continuous translation of western works of science and technology, joint-efforts in foreign oral translation– Chinese textualization/dictation
Purpose-steered for social needs, translation of natural sciences, modern industry, ship-building, artillery production
Increased translation on western social sciences for political purposes
Translating from Japanese texts literary translation became prominent Emphasis on acceptability, free
translation, adaptation, paraphrase, translation narration
Promoted the development of Chinese modern literature
Paved the way for the literary transition to the modern period
Enriched Chinese literary genres, narrative techniques, theme and style
Led to the creation of plays in China Introduced the concepts of democracy and
freedom, advanced science and technology, political concepts for social progress
Providing the basis for translation theories, with experience and recognition
Social Background:
In search of ways to cause social changes and to strengthen the country, radical Chinese intellectuals started the New Culture Movement in 1915.
Promoting western doctrines, sciences, democracy, freedom, and vernacular Chinese in replacement of classical Chinese.
Social Background:
Strong patriotism was inflamed among the people, especially the youths to initiate an anti-foreign invasion/ exploitation movement, the May 4th Movement, re-evaluating Chinese values, culture, politics.
The out growth—the birth of the Communist Party of China
Historical periods:
From the May 4th Movement to the revolutionary period
Before and after the establishment of the New China
Luxun (1881-1936)
Writer/translator, left hand translator/
right hand writer, explorer of western
literature, prolific translator, mainly from
Russian literature, works of European
countries.
Luxun Translation intended to cause reforms—
either in Chinese society or in literature. Strong advocator for vernacular Chinese Posited for literal translation,
faithfulness at the cost of fluency, preserving the foreign flavor/ form/ element--translationese
Simultaneous translators:
Chenduxiu, Hushi,( May 4th
Movement ) Quqiubai, Maodun, Zhushenghao,
( Revolutionary period )
Guomoro, Linyutang, Zhuguangqian
( before/after New China )
Literal translation for introducing foreign elements, cultural/linguistic
Bloom of literary groups/ associations/ translation organizations
Translation of Russian literature, revolutionary ideology
Brought about new spirit/concept of the
era for forming new ideology, ideological
concerns over-weighted poetic concerns
Contributing to new cultural/literary
systems, vernacular new literature in
China, in both literary form and content
Translated literature occupied the primary
position in the designated polysystems
II. Theoretical Discussions on Translation
1. Before 1980’s, summary on the recognition of translation, discussions on translation practice concentrated on methods and skills, as the main stream.
Prevalent translation principles
• Faithfulness, Expressiveness, Elegance
by Yanfu, the 3 words guiding principle for
translation practice
• Five beauties in translation—meaning, prosody,
form, spirit, atmosphere , by Linyutang
Prevalent translation principles
• Translation is creation/creative writing,
by Guomoro,
Translation is even more difficult than writing
when the spiritual essence and the artistic style
of the original need to be transfused into the
thought and art.
Prevalent translation principles
•Empathy into the source in order to transcribe
spontaneously within the frame,
by Zhuguangqian
Prevalent translation principles
• Realm of transformation, by Qian Zhongshu (1910-1998) The ideal literary translation is to achieve
transformation descended from spiritual resonance. The outcome of transmigration is a new body with the spirit that remains the same.
The translation is free of translationese resulted from linguistic diversities, and therefore does not read like a translation.
Prevalent translation principles
• Spiritual resonance, by Fu Lei (1908-1966)
For the sake of effect in translation, spiritual
assimilation is sought rather than the form,
which is true of painting on the spot.
The thought, emotion, atmosphere, and tone
are transformed all in one, the translation.
Prevalent translation principles:
• Luo Xinzhang, Chinese translation theory, a system of its own, originated from literary theories and aesthetics.
Unified along the line :
Source-orientation---faithfulness---spiritual resonance---transformation
Prevalent translation principles:
• Liu Miqing, the basic paradigm of Chinese
translation theory, with emphasis on descriptive
studies, semantic structures, and source/target
functions
Prevalent translation principles
• Jin Di, Professor of Tianjin Foreign Studies
University, literary translator (Ulysses),
translation theorist, co-authored with Nida,
advocator for equivalent effect, context,
aesthetic value in translation, Quest for Artistic
Integrity in literary translation
Xu Yuanchong
Professor of Beijing University, literary translator, with major achievement in translating Chinese classic poetry, in 3 languages, prolific translator
Literary translation is regarded as rivalry between two languages or cultures. Which can be more expressive/ effective in conveying the original ideas?
Xu Yuanchong
Target text compensates/ excels the source text, transcends/ surpasses the original meaning.
A literary translator takes the advantage of the target language to make the reader understand, accept, and enjoy.
A creative translator translates as the original writer writes, reveals the universal truth in literary translation—creativity.
Xu Yuanchong
• Truth or Beauty? Truth/ faithfulness at least, beauty/ aesthetics at best
• 4-R theories-- recreation, refinement, resemblance, rivalry
• 3-Resemblances-- semantic, spiritual, formal • 3-Beauties– semantic, prosodic, imagery
Xu Yuanchong • 3-Purposes– understand, accept, enjoy
• 3-Procedures-- in meaning, formal equivalence; dynamic equivalence, spiritual equivalence
e.g. 得与失, gain and loss, joy and pain, smiles and tears
Xu Yuanchong The art of literary translation
• Faithfulness does not exist in maintaining the form of the source text.
• Priority should be given to the aesthetic value/effect, to maintain the artistic charm.
• Best words in the best order in conveying the original contents.
II. Theoretical Discussions
on Translation
2. During the 1980’s and 90’s, the linguistic approach to translation was introduced.
• Nida’s translation theories remained prevalent. dynamic equivalence, the relationship between language and culture, cultural elements in translation
A science or an art ? A lasting debate
•• Basic theoretical concepts by J. C. Catford, Wolfram Wilss, and Russian scholars.
• Peter Newmark, semantic vs. communicative translation
• Hatim & Mason, discourse analysis
3. Since the 21rst century, there has been a
boom of introduction to western translation
theories on the track of the development in
the West.
•• The establishment of PhD programs in
Translation Studies since 1996, leading to
academic research/scholarly work on translation
theories in the West, courses, lectures,
academic exchanges, dissertations
Reasons
•• Western theoretical publications on translation were constantly introduced, followed by a systematic introduction of theoretical works
Shanghai Foreign Language and Education PressBeijing Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press
• Regular conferences, journals and publications on translation theory and practice promoted the
development.
Reasons
4. 4. The situation today
Various approaches in contemporary
translation theories are discussed.
4.1 Pure theoretical translation studies
•Linguistic theories-- textual approach--
intertextuality-- cohesion/coherence-- context in
translation -- text typology
•Functionalist theories-- widely accepted /applied
in the discussion of literary/non-literary
translation
4.1 Pure theoretical translation studies •Cognitive theories--- relevance theory in
translation by Gutt---psycholinguistic analysis---creativity
•Philosophical theories--- Deconstructionist
approach--- philosophical hermeneutics---
subjectivity in translation
•Post-colonial and feminist theories
4.1 Pure theoretical translation studies • Cultural studies• Sociological approaches• Critical analysis / interpretation / reflection on translation theories concerning
limitations, invalidities, influence, potential for
development
4.1 Pure theoretical translation studies
•Constructing Chinese translation theories
•The modern interpretation of traditional Chinese
translation theories
A new approach to Translation Studies, characterized by an ecological conception and interdisciplinary orientation.
Initiated by Professor Gengshen Hu, Tsinghua University, Beijing
To describe /interpret translation practice from an ecological perspective
To emphasize the holistic unity of the translation eco-system,
To describe/explain translational phenomena, focusing on the nature, processes, criteria, principles, and methods.
e.g. Translation process is regarded as the process of producing the target text in the eco-environment of translation in which the translator makes adaption and selection.
Reflecting multidisciplinary approaches and theoretical diversifications in Translation Studies.
Conception foundation: the assumption that translation be understood in terms of a harmonious eco-system.
Key concepts: adaptation and selection, Its origin and development, current status,
trends for development, as Hu summarized in articles and a monograph
Stressing holistic unity and relevance Seeking dynamics and balance Presenting eco-aesthetics Highlighting translation participants Indicating translation ethics Promoting diversity and unity
--Ecological paradigm of translation: Translator-centered adaptation and selection
--Sequence chain: the relevancy and interaction between translation practice and its natural environment: translation-language-culture-human society-nature
--Ecological features of translation: --Motivation and effect of translation --Ecological environment of translation --Translator-centered
--Translation as adaptation and selection --Three-dimensional transformations:
linguistic-cultural-communicative dimensional adaptive selection
--Post-event penalty
4.2 Descriptive translation studies
•Product-oriented--- studies on previous translations
•Cultural translation---cultural connotation/ image/ inclination/ ideology
•Translation norms with regard to a historical period
4.2 Descriptive translation studies
•Empirical research on the translation process---methodology, theoretical basis, research themes, developments
• Cognitive processes in interpreting
• Aesthetics in literary/poetry translation
4.2 Descriptive translation studies
• Corpus-based descriptive studies, methodology/ history/development
• Parallel and corresponding corpus studies in translation teaching.
4.3 Applied translation studies
•Translation instruction needs theoretical rigor,
translation as a major in higher institutions
•Shift from academic research to training
programs for translation/interpreting as a
profession
4.3 Applied translation studies
•Translation criticism---the philosophical basis: axiology/not epistemology,
Chinese philosophical thinking applied, •Translation criteria--- multi-perspectives
should be allowed for reciprocal combination
New propositions: messages– thematic, artistic, cultural principles– preserve the originality and
features, manifest the level of artistic and creative literary writing, exhibit fluency and readability
Literary translators and translation
professionals, highly respected/ paid
Titles, awards and honorable ceremonies
granted/held annually
e.g. China Prestigious Translators Awards, Youth
Translators Awards, Hansuyin Funding, Songqi
Funding
The People's Literature Press makes an effort to translate best novels from across the world, an effective manner to introduce foreign literature.
Annual ceremonies are held. e.g. The 21rst Century Best Foreign Novels and Their Translations
Urgent need ---practitioners, professionals of translation and interpreting
e.g. Shanghai hosts endless conferences requiring simultaneous interpreting
In 2006, number of professionals: 38,000---participants in translation: 100,000---number of agencies for translation service: 3,000/ 400 in Beijing,---business value/transaction: 13000 million RMB/ 130亿
Urgent call---the normalization of translational activities
e.g. The translation of public signs/announcements
Proficiency tests for professional translators/ interpreters began 2003
Specifications /quality requirements for translation services
Accreditation system began to develop
1. Certification for participation in the translation market as a rule
2. Systematic evaluation for translation quality assessment
3. Training for professional translators/ translation instruction oriented on professional needs and social demands
4. Normalization of translation profession
1. Translation recognized as an independent discipline and a major,
The Ministry of Education approved some universities to set up the undergraduate degree of translation since 2006,
2. Master of Translation and Interpreting (MTI) program was set up in universities since 2007.
The MTI program was approved by the Academic Degree Office under the State Council in January 2007, ranking MTI among the 18 professional degrees such as MBA, EMBA and MPA.
This signifies a major shift for high-level professional training, from a focus on academic research to professional skills.
International Federation of Translators 18th World Congress 2008 held in Shanghai, with the theme of the Conference--- Translation and Cultural Diversity
Equal emphasis on translation as a profession in the themes in sessions
By the end of 2010 nearly 20,000 registered translation and
language service companies, up to one million people involved in
translation services, the total output value of China’s
translation industry reached 20 billion RMB or nearly 3.1 billion $
literary translation, contract translation, legal translation, technical translation, patent translation, professional revision; website/software/game localizations, translation technology development, multilingual documentation, conference interpreting, translator and interpreter qualification programs
1. Translation as a profession is witnessing an expansion process and advanced technologies are put to use for translation and interpreting.
2. The standardization of the translation industry: Three standards concerning translation and interpreting services are implemented to regulate the competition in the market.
3. Translation companies are engaged in localization services for development.
4. Translation programs, including BTI and
MTI, are rapidly developing in universities. Profession-oriented curriculum design is an issue.
5. A nation-wide investigation of the language services industry is launched by the China Association of Translation, for further research projects on the healthy and orderly development.
Thank you for your time and attention!