B. A. Thesis of Shandong University of Finance and Economics
Chapter One
Conversion of Word Classes
In E-C translation, it is difficult to get an appropriate corresponding Chinese word for an English word of the same class all the time. If each word in one language is replaced with words of the same word classes in another, such expressions would sound very awkward or even unintelligible to the reader. Therefore, effective use of word class conversion is crucial and necessary in E-C translation. I. Conversion into Chinese Verbs
Because one of the most remarkable differences between English and Chinese lies in the use of the verb, conversion into Chinese verbs has become the basic conversion technique used in E-C translation.
i. Converting English Noun into Chinese Verb
As for English, “it seems possible to express ideas with greater precision and adequacy by means of nouns than by means of the more pictorial verbs” (Jespersen 139). That is to say, “English is a language in which nouns are more widely used than those in Chinese, while in Chinese verbs are more frequently used and occupy a dominant position” (Zhou 391), therefore some English nouns are often converted into Chinese verbs in the practical translation. 注意文内引文规范。每个文献须在文末参考书目中出现。
Specifically, an English noun which possesses the property of a verb or was derived from a verb is often converted into a verb when translated into Chinese. Here is an example to illustrate this point.
Example 1:
The use of bacteriological weapons is a clear violation of the international law. 使用细菌武器显然违反国际法。
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B. A. Thesis of Shandong University of Finance and Economics
ii. Converting English Preposition into Chinese Verb
It is known that “there are about 286 prepositions and prepositional phrases in English” (Lian 50). Prepositions or prepositional phrases are so widely and frequently used in English that English is sometimes called prepositional language. Prepositions in English, which are very rich and flexible in meaning, have a great power of expression; on the contrary, the Chinese language is verb-oriented, so it is not without reason that English prepositions or prepositional phrases are often converted into Chinese verbs or verbal phrases in E-C translation. There is an example below.
Example 2:
It is our goal that the people in the undeveloped areas will be finally off poverty. 我们的目标是使不发达地区的人民最终摆脱贫困。
iii. Converting English Adjective into Chinese Verb
When meeting with such English adjectives that often indicate the human psychology or state of mind, such as one’s consciousness, emotional activities and desires, translators usually convert them into Chinese verbs. Here is an example to illustrate the point.
Example 3:
Advancing into the vastness of space, man is becoming fully aware of the smallness of his planet.
由于进入浩无涯际的太空，人类已充分意识到本星球的渺小。
iv. Converting English Adverb into Chinese Verb
Some English adverbs, which have an implied meaning of verbs, if necessary, are often converted into Chinese verbs. The following example illustrates this point.
Example 4:
They found Mr. Bennett still up. 他们发现班纳特先生还没有睡觉。
v. Converting English Gerund into Chinese Verb
Gerund, also called as a verbal noun, often serves functionally as a noun but retains some properties of a verb in the original text. However, there is no such linguistic form
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B. A. Thesis of Shandong University of Finance and Economics
of -ing in Chinese, so English gerunds are generally converted into Chinese verbs in E-C translation. Here is an example.
Example 5:
Heating water does not change its chemical composition. 把水加热不会改变水的化学成分。
II. Conversion into Chinese Nouns
Nouns account for an overwhelming part of the vocabulary not only in English but in Chinese. Some English words, for example, which are derived from nouns, can hardly be translated literally; they are usually converted into nouns.
i. Converting English Verb into Chinese Noun
Because some English verbs describing the characteristics or properties of the subject are difficult to express in exact corresponding Chinese verbs, they are often converted into Chinese nouns so as to achieve a satisfactory translation. Here is an illustrative example.
Example 6:
To them, he personified the absolute power. 在他们看来，他就是绝对权威的化身。
ii. Converting English Adjective into Chinese Noun
Sometimes English adjectives are also converted into Chinese nouns for the smoothness of translation. The following is one example:
Example 7:
Everyday experience shows us that ice is not as dense as water and it therefore floats.
日常经验告诉我们，冰的密度比水小，因而能浮在水面上。
Generally speaking, a “definite article (the) + adjective” construction indicates people of some kind or abstract concepts, so such adjectives are often converted into Chinese nouns.
Example 8:
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B. A. Thesis of Shandong University of Finance and Economics
He is always dreaming of living a life as the rich. 他总是梦想过富人一样的生活。
Here, “the rich” referring to people of some kind is converted into a Chinese noun. Example 9:
It is highly important to distinguish between the false and the truth. 最重要的是分清是非。
Here, “the false” and “the truth” referring to abstract concepts are converted into Chinese nouns.
III. Conversion into Chinese Adjectives
i. Converting English Noun into Chinese Adjective
English nouns are much more frequently used and contain a more extended meaning than Chinese nouns, and some abstract nouns are very closely related to their corresponding adjectives in meaning. Therefore, it is necessary to convert such kind of nouns into Chinese adjectives. The following is an example.
Example 10:
We found difficulty in solving this complicated problem. 我们感到，解决这个复杂的问题很困难。
Some abstract nouns, preceded by an indefinite article, are also usually converted into adjectives in translation for a more appropriate and natural effect. There is an example below.
Example 11:
The garden-party is a great success. 那个园会真是圆满极了。
ii. Converting English Adverb into Chinese Adjective
As a result of the conversion from some English verbs into Chinese nouns, the adverbs which modify the English verbs are naturally converted into Chinese adjectives to modify the Chinese nouns. Here is an example to illustrate this point.
Example 12:
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B. A. Thesis of Shandong University of Finance and Economics
His speech impressed the audience deeply. 他的演讲给听众留下了很深的印象。
IV. Conversion into Chinese Adverbs
There are occasions when some parts of speech in English may be converted into adverbs in Chinese in order to make the Chinese version more expressive.
i. Converting English Noun into Chinese Adverb
The conversion of English nouns into Chinese adverbs is far from being a universal phenomenon in translation. However, some good translations, as illustrated by the following one, demonstrate that the conversion of English nouns into Chinese adverbs makes a more natural and smooth translation in certain context.
Example 13:
He had the kindness to show me the way. 他好心地给我指路。
ii. Converting English Adjective into Chinese Adverb
Since the English nouns may have been converted into Chinese verbs, English adjectives which modify the nouns are accordingly converted into Chinese adverbs to modify the verbs in the translated version. Here is an example.
Example 14:
We place the highest value on our friendly relations with developing countries. 我们高度地珍视同发展中国家的友好关系。
A few adjectives which modify or emphasize some nouns, if translated into Chinese, are always converted into adverbs, although this conversion is not caused by the result of conversion from English nouns into Chinese verbs. Illustrative examples are as follows:
Example 15:
Your story about the frog turning into a prince is sheer nonsense. 你的青蛙变成王子的故事完全是胡说。
Example 16:
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