Ju Miao Nankai University. Translational activities escort the eternal evolution of human...

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!