人們說他是一塊渾金璞玉

1、Definition of the literal translation approach Professor Liu Zhongde (1994: 172) defines literal translation as follows: “In the process of translation, literal translation treats sentences as basic units and at the same time takes the whole passage into consideration; a translator who attaches grea

2、t importance to literal translation does his or her best to reproduce the ideas and writing style of the original work, retaining in the version as many rhetorical devices and sentence structures of the original as possible.” 1He is said to be a rough diamond. 人們說他是一塊渾金璞玉。The rewards for the Chinese

3、 people are clear, most visibly in the dynamism and prosperity of Peking and the coastal cities. 中國人民獲得的實惠顯而易見，北京和沿海城市的勃勃生機和繁榮興旺就是最明顯的見證。For the international community, the most striking consequence of these changes is that China has grown rapidly to be the worlds sixth largest economy, and is set

4、to grow further. 對國際社會來說，這些變化帶來的最引人注目的結果是中國已躍居為世界第六經濟大國，而且今后注定進一步發(fā)展。2Examples of literal translation approach(2)Chinas rapid emergence as a major world actor is a tribute to the drive and entrepreneurial spirit of her people, and more particularly to the fundamental economic reforms she has pursued

5、over the past two decades. 中國迅速崛起，成為世界舞臺上表演重要角色的一個國家，這應歸功于中國人民的努力和進取精神，尤其應歸功于過去20年里中國所推行的根本性的經濟改革。I would draw a further conclusion, which I believe is central to assessing Chinas future place in the world economy. 我想進一步得出結論，我認為這個結論對于評估中國今后在世界經濟中的地位是至關重要的。Marriage, with peace, is this worlds paradis

6、e; with strife, this lifes purgatory. 和睦的婚姻，是這個世界的樂園；對抗的婚姻，是這個人生的煉獄。3Definition of the liberal translation approach Liberal translation or free translation means giving up the original image or vehicle and making effort to find an appropriate way to express the intended meaning of the original. Prof

7、essor Liu Zhongde (1994: 173) defines the liberal translation approach as follows: Liberal translation is supplementary to literal translation. Liberal translation is employed for the purpose of expressing the original meaning instead of reproducing the original sentence structure or rhetorical devi

8、ce(s). Only when the literal translation approach is not suitable, can the translator resort to the free translation approach. Many scholars agree with Prof. Liu on this point. 4Examples of liberal translation approach(1)Although it is used much less frequently, the liberal translation approach is q

9、uite necessary for translating some sentences, especially those that contain rhetorical devices, which are not fit to be handled by means of the literal translation approach. Please look at the following examples.5Examples of liberal translation approach(2)Do you see any green in my eye? 你以為我是幼稚好欺騙的

10、嗎？Dont cross the bridge till you get to it. 不要自尋煩惱。(不要過早擔憂。)They love to boast, though often with tongue in cheek. ( = They love to brag, though they often do so insincerely or ironically.) 他們喜歡自吹自擂，盡管通常只是說說罷了。If you are unfair to me, I will certainly hang out all your dirty linen.你要是待我不公平，我就把你那些丑事都

11、抖露出去。6Examples of liberal translation approach(3)Similarly, to talk about a car culture, a throw-away culture, or the generation gap as exclusively American concerns makes little sense today. 同樣，如果今天還把以車代步的生活方式、熱衷于使用一次性物品的生活習慣，或者代溝問題當作只有美國人才關注的問題來談論，那就沒有什么意義了。It is not just Britains breathing in whi

12、ch makes it so international, but also its breathing out.英國之所以成為如此國際化的國家，不僅僅在于她大量地吸納國外的人力和物力資源，而且還在于她大量地向國外輸出其人力和物力資源。7Definition of the literal-plus-liberal translation approach Some sentences have to be translated both literally and freely because of bilingual differences. Only thus, can they be t

13、ranslated into intelligible versions. The literal-plus-free translation approach is also desirable when reference books like dictionaries are compiled. The following examples are provided to illustrate this equally important method.8Examples of the literal-plus-liberal translation approach (1)Blesse

14、d by year round good weather, Spain is a magnet for sun-worshippers and holidaymakers 西班牙蒙上帝保佑，一年四季，天氣很好，宛如一塊磁鐵，吸引著 酷愛陽光、愛好度假的人們You can spread your wings with Open Studies. 開放型大學讓你展翅飛翔。第一流產品，為足下增光。（紅鳥鞋油廣告標語）This first-rate shoe polish adds luster to your shoes and honor to you, our friends. 9Example

15、s of the literal-plus-liberal translation approach (2)世界看中國，中國有先科。 As she boasts Advanced Science, China attracts global eyes.Every bullet has its billet. 顆顆彈丸都有它的歸宿。/ 天命難違。Hope is the poor mans bread. 希望是窮人的面包。/ 窮人靠希望活著。Today a man, tomorrow a mouse. 今天是一個人，明天是一只鼠./今天得志，明天落魄。 Experience is the mist

16、ress of fools. 經驗是愚人的主婦。/ 經驗支使愚人。10Function of each of those approachesThe literal translation approach acts like a mirror, reflecting almost everything of the original in the version. It helps the translator keep both the original form and content in the version. It is most widely applicable. The l

17、iberal translation approach is applicable when the literal approach is not suitable. It helps the translator keep the original meaning though the original form is lost. It is absolutely necessary although it is less often used. The literal-plus-liberal translation approach helps bring about better o

18、r more idiomatic versions.11The advantages of the literal translation approach The literal translation approach exhibits many advantages. By adopting this approach, we can preserve in the version not only the original meaning and form, especially the original figure(s) of speech and figurative meaning, but also the national and local colors and features in the original. In addition, by employing this method, we can introduce many things foreign into China, such as new ideas, new fashions, new invention