4.2　Translation

There are several levels of translation depending on the purpose of that translation.In this case, the purpose is for the target text to achieve the kind of effect on the readers as closely as possible to the effect of the source text that had on its readers.Literal translation or word for word translation is the first step.English major seniors from three major Chinese universities served as translators for the first draft of the transcripts.The universities include Beijing Foreign Language Institute,Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, and Chengdu University.All the translators signed confidentiality consent forms to agree not to let out any information during and after their translation.One stipulation was that the translators translate the source text into target text as literally as they can and not to use equivalent phrases or to change the syntax of the sentences in the source text.In this way, it is easier to trace the syntax and word usage in the source text.The first translation draft is very crude in that the readers of the target text may be confused by the incomprehensible sentences or unusual usage of English.This due in large part to the use of English words in a Chinese grammatical structuring, what I refer to as “Chenglish”.The “Chenglish”draft is an intermediate step between the Chinese text and an English translation, and is not intended for a general audience.

Based on the Chenglish version of the transcript, the next step is to make the text more aligned with English language use,including syntax and grammar.I start to make it more“English-like”— changing word order to make it understandable to English readers but more importantly, it keeps its stylistic features as closely as possible to the source text.The excerpts are carefully examined for their translation after having been selected as the supporting evidence as well as the target for analysis.Two goals need to be achieved in the translation at this step: First, the translation needs to convey the same meaning to the target text readers as the source text to the source text reader, therefore, it primarily follows the English rules for syntax and word choice.At the same time, the language features that the excerpts are adapted from cannot be lost in the translation,therefore, in some situations where conforming to the English grammatical rules, critical features of the Chinese text may be compromised, so instead, the authentic English syntactic structure and word choice may be sacrificed for maintaining and displaying the language features in the Chinese text.Reconciling cultural differences proved challenging in a few instances, and ensuring that the text would have the same effect on Chinese and American readers was difficult.Here is an example from the case of Xuling Offspring Support of Parents.Its Chinese draft in Pinyin is as follows:

Ni Zan Zai Ni Ze Go Li Cang Tan Ha.Zan Zai Ni Fu Zi Zi Jian Di Guan Xi.Zan Si Ba Ni Jia Ai Ren Na Fang Zan Si Pao Kai Lo Lai, Zo Wei Ni Dui Ni Jia Lao Ren Di San Yang Sang You Sa Zi Xiang Fa You Sa Zi Kan Fa.Ji Wei Lin Dao Di Yi Si,Wen Ni Jiu Si Ze Ge Yi Si.(https://www.daowen.com)

Then, the first translation draft in “Chenglish”is:You stand on your position and say something.Stand on the relationship between your father and you.For the time being, throw away the position of your wife, for the time being.On supporting your parents, what thoughts do you have, the thoughts you have.Several superiors’intention, the intention of asking is just this.

The final draft for English readers after my revision is as follows:

Speak for yourself and say something.Talk about your relationship with your dad.Forget about your wife for a while.What do you think about providing support for your elders? These officials are here today; this is why they are here.