科技英語翻譯.doc

科技英語翻譯Course DescriptionCourse Title: A Practical Course on EST Translation/ 實用科技英語翻譯Hours/week: 2 sessions per week Students: Second-year students (Alevel, Grade 2008) Instructor: Prof. Wei CHEN, Institute for Translation & Intercultural Studies (ITIS), School of Foreign Languages, WHUTReference books: 1) Wuqiu FAN. Selections on Practical EST Translation. Foreign Language Publishing House. 2001./范武邱。實用科技英語翻譯講評。外文出版社。2001年。2) Zhijie FENG. Essentials for EST Translation. China Translation Publishing House. 2000./馮志杰。漢英科技翻譯指要。中國對外翻譯出版公司。2000年。3) Xianfa HUA. A New Practical Textbook of English-Chinese Translation. Hubei Education Press. 2001./華先發(fā)。新適用英譯漢教程。湖北教育出版社。2001年。4) Chengzhang LIN. An Introduction to English Lexicology. Wuhan University Press.1996./林承璋。英語詞匯學引論。武漢大學出版社。1996年。Objectives: This course aims at training students to develop some elementary translation skills as capable EST translators or CIOs (Chief Information Officers) equipped with some knowledge of lexical and discourse features of EST genres, criteria of EST translation, and aware of the common grammatical mistakes or errors in EST translation, rhetoric devices and logics through translation theories study and translating practice. 實用科技英語翻譯是以科技英語文體的詞匯語篇特征、科技英語翻譯的標準、科技英語翻譯的常見語法錯誤、修辭問題和邏輯問題為主要內容，以科技英語翻譯理論為指導，在科技英語翻譯實踐的基礎上，集多種教學模式和教學手段為一體的教學體系。本課程的教學目標是培養(yǎng)學生的科技英語的翻譯能力，使他們在今后學習和工作中能輕松地勝任科技英語情報收集和翻譯工作。We wish to:1） Offer optional but special classes for the students to develop their interests towards EST translation.As science and engineering majors, the students will have chances to learn and appreciate EST materials; 2） Help the students enlarge their EST vocabulary so as to build a robust foundation for ESP (English for Special Purposes)(在拓展學生科技英語翻譯能力的同時，有效地實現(xiàn)大學英語與專業(yè)英語的有效銜接。); 3） Help the students improve their reading ability through studying and appreciating texts of different styles in EST translation; 4） Help the students enhance their language accuracy and fluency in EST translation; 5） Help the students improve their critical-thinking ability in EST translation; 6） Familiarize the students with relevant translation theories in order to grasp some techniques used for EST translation;7） Offer the students workshops to do EST translation. Teaching Methods: lectures; questions and answers; in-class discussion; presentations by students (giving students more space to air their own opinions) Contents: Lecture 1:Introduction Lecture 2:Lexical features of EST genres Lecture 3:Discourse features of EST genres Lecture 4:Common Prefixes, Suffixes and Affixes in Technical Terms TranslationLecture 5:Body Nouns Used in Technical Terms TranslationLecture 6:Some Common Techniques in Technical Terms TranslationLecture 7:Theme-Rheme Represented in EST Translation Lecture 8:Aesthetic Orientation in EST TranslationLecture 9:Shifts between Generalization and Specification in EST Translation Lecture 10:Sentence Length and Focus in EST Translation Lecture 11:Logic Analysis in EST TranslationLecture 12:EST Translation PracticeLecture 13:Some Common Grammatical Mistakes in EST TranslationLecture 14:Some Common Rhetorical Mistakes in EST TranslationLecture 15:Some Common Logical Mistakes in EST TranslationLecture 16: ExamFocuses:1. Lexical and discourse features of EST genres;2. Criteria of EST translation3. Translation expertise in EST translationDifficulty: Translation techniques in EST translation課程的重點是科技英語文體的詞匯和語篇特征和翻譯的標準。難點是科技英語的翻譯技巧。Requirements of Students a)Attend every class unless it is impossible for good reason. (Points are awarded for class participation. If you do not attend, you cannot participate.) If you cannot make it to class, please let me know ahead of time. ONE absence without note for sick leave will lead to the loss of one point; THREE absences with note for sick leave will lead to the loss of one point b)Be punctual. c)Keep cell phones turned off during class time. d)Work positively and contribute to the best of your ability in class. e)Complete all assignments on time. Makeup tests and late assignments will only be considered in case of emergency. f)Take full advantage of necessary resources to practice your skills. Assignments: a) background knowledge search for each lecture; b) preview work for each lecture; c) exercises after each lecture; d) one quiz for every 4 lectures. Assessment: a) attendance (10%) b) in-class participation (10%) c) monthly quiz (10%)d) final exam (70%) 本課程分為五大部分。第一部分介紹科技英語文體的詞匯特征，如科技術語的翻譯總原則、合成科技術語的語義分析、類比構詞及其翻譯和科技術語翻譯中的矛盾處理等；第二部分介紹科技英語文體的語篇特征，如：當代語言學理論在科技英語翻譯中的作用、科技翻譯中的美學取向、科技英語翻譯中的虛實互化現(xiàn)象、主位述位在科技翻譯中的表現(xiàn)、科技翻譯中句長和語句重心的處理等。第三部分闡述科技英語的一般特征及其翻譯的標準。第四部分說明科技英語翻譯的常見語法錯誤、修辭問題和邏輯問題。第五部分為科技英語翻譯實踐。Lecture 1 Introduction1. The Definition of EST (English for Science & Technology)EST (English for Science & Technology or Technical English or Scientific English) is a special language variety widely used in the fields of science and technology. Its believed that it first came to being in the 1950s along with the rapid development of science and technology, and it many researchers and scholars began to conduct investigation of this common features of this special genre including reading comprehension, writing and even translation. Example 1Since the joint gap between a piston and a cylinder has great influence on the service life of an engine, and the primary factor influencing the joint gap is the deformation of a piston under working condition, it is important to show up the actual deformation of piston and for this purpose the finite element has been widely applied to analyze it numerically in China.活塞與氣缸的配合間隙，對于發(fā)動機的使用壽命影響很大，影響配合間隙的主要因素是活塞在狀態(tài)下的變形。真實反映活塞變形情況，國內已廣泛采用有限元法進行數(shù)值分析。Example 2The action of air on an airplane in flight at low altitude is greater than that at high altitude.空氣對于低空飛行飛機的作用力大于高空飛行的飛機。Example 3Pictures can be stored in the cameras internal memory (about 14 MB) or on the Secure Digital (SD) memory card. If no memory card has been inserted in the camera, pictures will be stored in the memory, and if the camera contains a memory card, then pictures will automatically be stored on the card.2. Stylistic Features of ESTCompletely different from other genres such as everyday English, literature English, EST has its own stylistic features due to the specialty in content, field and discourse functions, and partly due to the unique habits of EST writers, which are mostly represented in lexical level and syntactical level.2.1 Lexical level1) Numerous Technical TermsTechnical terms refer to those lexicons specialized in a certain subject or area, with which laymen are unfamiliar, e.g. cryogeneics（低溫學）, noepinephine（新腎上腺素）Characteristics:A. Lengthy: mostly containing roots or affixes originating from Latin, Greek and French, etc.e.g. nucleonics（核子學）, semisomnus（半昏迷）, autoradiography（自動射線照相術）B. Numerous compounds coined（新造）to signify the new things coming out in the science and technologye.g. radiophotography（無線電傳真）, anti-armored-fighting-vehicle-missile（反裝甲導彈）C. numerous abbreviationse.g. FM (frequency modulation 調頻), telesat (telecommunications satellite通訊衛(wèi)星)2) Numerous pseudo-technical termsEveryday English EST different sensese.g. frame 框架 1）機架（machinery）；2）幀（telecommunications） transmission 1)發(fā)射（radio engineering）；2）傳動、變速（machinery）；3）透射（physics）；4）遺傳（medical science）2.2 Syntactical Level1) Nominalization（名詞化結構）For conciseness: abstract nouns denoting action or state + v-ing form or nominal phrases, e.g. the transmission and reception of images of moving objects by radio waves（通過無線電波來發(fā)射和接受活動物體的圖像）;illumination intensity determination（照明強度測定）；the generation of heat by friction（摩擦生熱）；2) Lengthy sentences and logic connectorsFor explicitation（將事理充分說明）, we often employ some lengthy sentences containing expressions and clauses（短語和分句）and logic connectors such as hence, consequently, accordingly, however, on the contrary, as a result, in short, etc.3) The Present Tense and The Perfect TenseThe stated findings and results in the essays or books can be verified and repeated.4) The Passive VoiceObjective, less subjective, scientific, impersonal,5) The Antecedent（先行詞）itConstructionFor balance of sentence structuree.g. It is quite useful to think of the earth and its atmosphere as being rather like an onion that is a ball made up of layers, although unlike an onion, each layer is made of different material.6) Double or triple propositions（介詞詞組連用）Relationship of different things such as spatial and temporal relationship（時空關系）, subordination（所屬關系）and cause-effect relationship（因果關系）etc.e.g. The action of air on an airplane in flight at low altitude is greater than that at high altitude.空氣對于低空飛行飛機的作用力大于高空飛行的飛機。Lecture 2 Prerequisites for EST Translation1. Basics of SpecialtyEST involves many fields in natural sciences, therefore its quite essential to get familiar with the knowledge of the relevant subjects along with a rich vocabulary necessary for EST translation.*德馬格起重機械（上海）有限公司: 技術翻譯& 高級經(jīng)理教授助理Technical Translation & Assistant WantedTarget and Mission1. Technical translation2. Provide professional assistant to the Division Manager of Company Development.Requirements:1. University education, major in English of Science and technology, Engineering, professional translator qualification2. Excellent in English3. At least 3 years experience on technical translation with known translation service provider.4. Good computer software skills (i.e. Windows, Excel, Power Point, MS Project and etc.)5. Experience with Translation Memory Management software, e.g. Transit or Trados is preferred.6. Basic knowledge of mechanical & electrical technology7. Ability to work independently in area of own responsibility.8. Proficiency in Microsoft office & operation of office machinery.Responsibilities:1. Translate technical documents and standards2. Assist Division Manager in administration affairs and technical reports3. Assist Division Manager for market survey.4. Assist Division Manager to manage all technical standards (ISO, EU, GB, JB, Demag standards, etc)5. Assist Division Manager to manager ISO 9001 quality system and related procedure documents;6. Others activities request from top management team*2. Accurate comprehension of semantic meaning Popular words + learned words (technical terms): Specialized meanings in EST consult the dictionary the rapid development of science and technology: newly coined words we cannot find them in the dictionary ? translation expertise3. Analyzing the Lengthy SentencesLengthy sentences: segmentation + main clause + logic + translation 科技英語中有大量長句，長句中含有若干分句和許多短語及其他修飾限定成分，這給理解帶來了一定困難。 翻譯時首先必須對長句進行深入細致的分析，先理解主干，再層層明確各成分之間的語法關系和語義邏輯關系， 然后根據(jù)情況，選擇采用順譯、逆譯或綜合譯法。表達時一定要將意義的準確性和清晰度放在首位，該斷句就斷句，該增益就增益，不可死扣原文形式。Prof. Guangzhong YU（余光中）:的的不休4. WordingEST: formal in style 3 levels: academic（學術性） + technical（專業(yè)性） + popular（通俗性）expertswell-educated versatile peoplelaymenthe most formalthe most informale.g. 1) Experts: AIDS獲得性免疫缺乏綜合征，poliomyelitis脊髓灰質炎，diarrhea腹瀉2) Laymen: pink eye紅眼病，the runs拉肚，AIDS艾滋病/“愛之病”，poliomyelitis小兒麻痹癥5. Familiarizing the word-formationNewly coined words: neologismsPrefix +Root + suffixA. Compoundse.g. heartman（換心人）, photobotany（光植物學）, hot-press（熱壓）B. Affixatione.g. antibody（抗體）, semisynthetic（半合成的）, futurology（未來學）C. Clippinge.g. influenza flu, parachute chute（降落傘）, university varsity, three-dimensional film -3-D（立體電影）D. Blendinge.g. teleprinter +exchange telex（電傳）, biological + rhythm biorhythm（生理節(jié)奏）E. Acronymse.g. AC (alternating current交流電), DC(direct current直流電),CCTV(closed circuit television閉路電視)* Multiple meanings:e.g. AC1) absorption coefficient（吸收系數(shù)）, 2)adapter cable（適配電纜）, 3)air condenser（空氣冷凝器）, 4)air conditioner（空調）, 5)alternating current, 6)automatic control（自動控制）, 7) accumulator（蓄電池）, 8) analog computer（模擬計算機）6. Assignments: Summarize the commonly used prefixes and suffixes.Lecture 3 Technical Terms in EST Translation1. Compound Words: the most common way to enlarge the EST vocabulary1) Compound nounsA. N. + N. e.g. diesel locomotive, force pumpB. ADJ. +ADJ. e.g. incandescent lamp, distant signalC. V-ing + N. e.g. loading platform, rectifying stoneD. N. + V-ing e.g. side-loading, rail reconditioningE. N. + V-ing + N. e.g. rail reclaiming plant, rail fastening broomF. N. + V-ed + N./N phrase e.g.dip-forged disc wheel, dip-forged solid disc wheelG. V. + partical（小品詞）e.g. flyover, turnoutH. Particle + V. e.g. uprise, inputI. ADJ. + N. + head N.（中心名詞）e.g. narrow-gauge railway, axial piston pumpJ. ADJ. + ADJ. + N. + head N. e.g. basic direct access method, double acting stop blockK. ADV. + ADJ. + N./ N phrase e.g. locally alternative sequence functionally distributed computer systemL. N. + N. + N. e.g. gauge side control gear change leverM. Capital Letter + N. (1) shape, feature and nature: e.g. U-steel, I-beam; (2) abbreviation: e.g. P-waves (P = primary), Q-factor (Q=quality)N. Greek letter + N. e.g. gamma decay, alpha angel2) Compound adjectivese.g. anti-armored-fighting-vehicle-missile（反裝甲導彈）3) Grammar compound: e.g. double-curved arcbridge, circular one-shaft vibrator, automate route control of train2. Rules for Technical Term Translation1) Syntactic Structure of Some Common Technical Terms:A. S + V（主謂式）B. V + O（動賓式）C. ADJ + N（偏正式）Suggestions of EST Technical Term Translation:Based on the characteristics of Chinese syntactic technical terms, we should employ some translation techniques such as literal translation, free translation, combination of literal translation and free translation, translation according to its image, etc.在翻譯合成科技術語時，我們應連心漢語詞法上的特點，結合傳統(tǒng)的音譯、意譯、音意結合、形譯、象譯等翻譯方法，適當?shù)刂v科技術語譯成主謂式或偏正式等結構。e.g. pile driving打樁（V + O）in-track grinding現(xiàn)場打磨（ADJ + N）up-and-down hump yards雙向駝峰編組場（ADJ + N）ballast regulating & compacting plate道渣整形夯實板（ADJ + N）fire retardant paint防火漆（ADJ + N）cut and cover明挖法（ADJ + N）flyover立體交叉（ADJ + N）U-steel槽鋼（ADJ + N）P-waves地震縱波（ADJ + N）power supply供應電力（S + V）rail reconditioning鋼軌整修（S + V）2) General feature of Compound Technical Terms:A. accuracy（確切性）:accurately reflect the nature of the concept B. monosemy（單義性）: one sense for one wordC. systematization（系統(tǒng)性）:the individual technical terms in a given field should be in a specific level so as to constitute a common systemD. linguistically correct（語言的正確性）:in accordance with the word-formation in the same languageE. conciseness（簡明性）:concise and easy to rememberF. motivation（理據(jù)性）: just as the name implies, one can know the meaning of the word.G. stability（穩(wěn)定性）: stable and unlikely to changeH. productivity（能產(chǎn)性）: once established, it is easy to produce more neologisms based the original one by means of word-formation3) Common Rules for Technical Term TranslationAs such, we should deal with the relationship of the following aspects:A. monosemy vs. concisenesse.g. 數(shù)控in Chinese can refer to either 數(shù)值控制(numerical control) or 數(shù)字控制(digital control) monosemy is the priorityB. motivation vs. accuracyAs science knowledge is rather abstract, motivation in translation is preferred. e.g. machine tool機床C. stability vs. productivitysynchronous even pressure tamping system同步穩(wěn)壓搗固系統(tǒng)non-synchronous even pressure tamping system異步穩(wěn)壓搗固系統(tǒng)D. systematization vs. linguistically correctBefore translation of compound technical terms, we should be aware of the nature and tradition of Chinese word-formation. E.g. 鐵路、鐵道 railway鐵道部、鐵道兵、鐵道學院 =？ Collocational regularity 搭配規(guī)律鐵路局、鐵路醫(yī)院、鐵路交通E. Chinese language trait vs. concisenessAs for the numbers of characters, we prefer to use pair characters （偶數(shù)詞語）or even 4-character expressions（四字結構）.e.g. bi-stable circuit雙穩(wěn)壓電路雙穩(wěn)電路*dog clutch爪形離合器（motivation）rubber-metal spring橡膠-金屬彈簧橡膠-金屬夾心彈簧translation standard: Yan Fus “tri-ness”: truthfulness, expressiveness and elegance 3. Semantic Analysis of Compound Technical TermThe first step of accurate grasp of the meanings of the compound technical terms is to analyze their structures. Non-verb compounds（無動詞基本合成詞） can be classified into 9 kinds according to the relationship between the determiners（限定詞）and their head nouns（核心詞）.1) N1 produces/makes N2e.g. steel band rubber bandPurposes: a) show the material related to something（表明與某種物體有聯(lián)系的材料）; b)prescribe the head nouns without any relationship between them and the given material or substance（規(guī)定與這種材料或物質沒有必然聯(lián)系的核心詞）e.g. cane sugar蔗糖coal gas煤氣oil film油膜saw dust鋸木屑2) N2 produces/makes N1e.g. steel mill（軋鋼廠）, copper mill（軋銅廠）, paper mill（造紙廠）computer factoryoil well（油井）rubber tree（橡膠樹）tear gas（催淚瓦斯）3) N1 drives（驅動）N2Head noun: object; determiner: agent, the source to drive head nouns such as equipment, instruments, tools, etc.e.g. air drill風鉆battery car電池汽車 oil control油壓控制器spring governor彈簧調速器4) N1 contains N2Determiner: whole; head noun: parte.g. bed post床架motor drive電機驅動裝置oscillator plate振蕩片table leg桌子腳5) N1 is N2The determiner and the head noun have something in common.e.g. blinker light閃光燈 pine tree松樹resistant element電阻元件6) N1 uses N2N1 determines the