Comparision between English and Chinese

Different nations different languages,and different language load bearing different culture. Translation, as a cross-national cross-language intercultural cross spatio-temporal process of information conversion and communicative activities. Its primary mission is that language transformation and semantic expression, however, language is the carrier of culture, the two get along swimming with each other and inextricably linked. It is necessary involves the transfer and expression of deep cultural connotation. So when we conduct the translation work,we must think about the differences between English and Chinese in language structure,way of thinking and cultural factors. Therefore some countermeasures must be used in the translation from English and Chinese.

1. Different between English and Chinese in the ways of thinking

Different nations have different languages, different languages reflect different ways of thinking. In general, Oriental, especially Chinese,have strong comprehensive thinking,concrete thinking and consequent thinking. While westerns have clear analytical thinking, abstract thought and reverse thinking. Famous scholars Satoshi Ishii has compared the thought patterns of British and American to \"bridge\". Author (speaker) directly convey information, the reader (obedient person) understand and appreciate its meaning, as if the bridge. On the contrary,Oriental thought patterns are \"stepping stone\".Author (speaker) take circuitous implied,such as catapulting a stone in the water to pad feet,the reader

(obedient person) draw support from the \"stepping stone\" to figure out its meaning. Therefore,Ishii thought the two ways of thinking reflects two different cultures,countries such as Britain and the United States is \"low context\" states,everything depends on language clarifying,while China, Japan and other countries are \"high context\" states. Context implies semantic,everything is specific, exhaustive. (Hu Wenzhong, 1999:80-81)

2. Contrast on English and Chinese

English and Chinese belongs to different language system. English is Indo-European family and Chinese is a Sino-an family,they are completely two different languages. Most English learners find that when English and Chinese have much in common,it's easy to learn. For example,\"suitcase\" in both languages are constituted by the meaning of \"suit\"and \"case\". It's easy for learners to understand. But some words or phases can't be constituted like this. Take \"important thing\"for example. It means s big issue. But some Chinese people may use \"big thing\" to express it. \"Big thing\" means some object with big volume.

The negative transfer will influence a study of language,so we should focus on the differences between them. The differences are not only in words,but also in phrases,sentences,paragraphs,sections and chapters. There are more examples.

\"For the latest couple of years the third industry in our country have been developing very fast\". Here \"third\" is a wrong word. It should be \"the tertiary industry\" because it is established by usage. \"The service industry\" is right because

it means the industry that offers services.

\"It hard to do business with light seasons.\" Here \"light seasons\" is a wrong word. We must use \"slack seasons\" to express the time business is low.

\"I have no English name.\" is another sentences we heard from many Chinese people. It should be \"I don't have an English name.\"

Chinese sentences are based on meaning while English sentences are based on grammar. In Chinese the standard of a sentence is wether it express a complete meaning. In English,however,the standard is wether the sentence is with a complete structure. For example,

看样子要变天了。

It seems that the weather is changing.

All of the sentences show that in Chinese sentences subject and verb can be omitted,while in English a subject-predicate structure is indispensable.

Disregarding the differences between the two languages will result in ill-understanding or misunderstanding. Analyzing language differences is a guide to English learners in learning English.

Translation strategies and skills

In summary,I think,before translating we must be familiar with both languages and carry deep cultural information,pay attention to language and cultural factors. We must use the specific methods reflexibility of dealing with sentences level in translation,such

as

cis-translation,reverse

translation,clause,compound,sentence,epexegesis,omission,extend,conversion,substitution,reduplication and so on,but also use flexibility literal translation,free translation and other translation strategies in language level and cultural levels of foreignizing translation and domesticating translation and other strategies.

What is more important is that the four specific strategies and other translation skills must be used comprehensively and combined organically. Then it will be loyal to the original language and understood by the readers.

Into the 21th century, people around the world connect more closely and people exchange get more and more frequently. Globalization is becoming a trend of world development. In the background of cultural integration,foreinizing translation becomes more powerful. Increasing foreignizing translation appropriately,it will make for the target language ample,the local culture spreading and the foreign culture absorbing. Thus there is no need go blindly\"shed crocodile tears\"into “猫哭耗子”,and “假慈悲”go into “调鳄鱼泪”,it is also welcomed. It is not a must to translate“破釜沉舟”to “cross the Rubicon”. It is perfectly make it \"break the Calderon and sink the boats (after crossing)\" or \"fight to win or die\". Although“银河”and \"The Milk Way\" refer to the same thing,if we only translate the latter one “银河”or translate “银河”to \"The Milk Wayhen the deep and connotative meaning will run off. It is because that when

Chinese people see “银河”will naturally think of “牛郎织女”and the legend of“鹊桥相会”,they will think it as a great gulf fixed which is abysmal,impassable and with terrible storms. While westerners seeing \"The Milk Way\" will the road leading to Mount Olympus in Greek mythology. The reason why the road is bright and flash is that Lord God,the wife of Zeus,Cassiopeia Hella spilled the milk when she breast-feeded.(Zheng Yanguo,2005:8) Some domestic scholars translated “银河”to \"The Milk Way\is apparent that they misunderstand its meaning. So it is appropriate dissimilate \"The Milk Way\" to “仙奶路”or “仙奶大道”. It is suitable to translate “银河”to \"the Silver Way\River of Heaven\" or \"the Galaxy\". Moreover “负荆请罪”is not simply equal to \"kiss the rod\“败走麦城”is not the same as \"meet one's Waterloo\". Briefly speaking, foreignizing translation is not only beneficial to introduce the native culture to the foreigner，but also bring the readers opportunities to acknowledge exotic style. There it will achieve the purpose of cross-cultural communication. Blindly using domesticating translation is not avail to understand the culture of source language and accept new foreign things.

3. Conclusion

In summary,language is an open system,with a strong eclectic and renewal capacity. English-Chinese translation need to pay attention to the differences of cultural factors,but also appropriately use the translation strategies and techniques. In theory,we must consider readability of the translation,translator should bring into play to the initiative,creativity. The foreignizing translation should be the major in the language conversion. Considering the differences of

local culture,we should give first place to the foreignizing translation in the culture conversion. So in order to enhance a better understanding to each other,comprehend the exact meaning of a sentence,it is so important that improve students' ability of translation.