Parataxis-verse-Hypotaxis-in-Chinese-and-English.doc

AbstractParataxis and hypotaxis is the most distinguishing features in linguistics between Chinese and English. Chinese lay stress on parataxis, while English lay stress on hypotaxis. The distinction between hypotaxis and parataxis can be traced back to the different philosophical foundation as well as the different way of thinking between Chinese and people from English-speaking countries. In translation, we must omit or add some words even phrases to make the translation close to the native expression? With time passing by, Both English and Chinese are changing, When we do translation, we should also take the development into consideration. Key words: parataxis; hypotaxis ; difference; translation；changing 中文摘要 意合和形合是中文和英文最大的区别，中文重意合，英文重形合。这种区别可以归结于中国和英语国家不同的哲学基础以及不同的思维方式。在翻译中，我们应增加或者减少一些词汇使翻译更加地道。随着时间的流逝，中英文都在不断变化，翻译时我们应该考虑到这些变化。关键词：意合；形合；区别; 翻译；变化 IntroductionIn this part, I will introduce some basic knowledge of Parataxis and Hypotaxis. Parataxis derives from Greek word “hupotaxis“( hupo + taxis = under arrangement ),which means the coordinate, subordinate or embedding constructions or relationships of clauses and sentences with connectives. While Hypotaxis derives from Greek word “parataxis”( para+ taxis= beside arrangement),which means the arranging of clauses and sentences one after the other without connectives showing the relation between them.Parataxis and Hypotaxis are means to connect sentences and paragraphs in all languages. Most linguists agree that English is more hypotactic while Chinese more paratactic. So we call the English structure as “tree-type” and the Chinese as “bamboo-type” vividly.1. Difference between Chinese and EnglishThe distinction between hypotaxis and parataxis can be traced back to the different philosophical foundation as well as the different way of thinking between Chinese and people from English-speaking countries. In ancient China, there are three typical kinds of theories concerning relationships between man and nature: Zhuangzis theory of conforming to nature, Xunzis theory of transforming nature, and the harmonious relationship between humans and nature advocated in Yijing .Human beings are an integral part of nature. According to Zhang Zai, human beings are a component of heaven and earth, or nature. Thus, human beings should also obey the laws of nature. The theory also holds the view that ethical principles are consistent with natural rules. The ideal of life is to attain harmony between man and nature. By contrast, Western dualism led to an opposition between man and nature.According to the famous scholar, Ji Xianlin, each of the four Chinese characters tian ren he yi respectively means nature, human beings, mutual understanding and friendship, and oneness. While Westerners always try to conquer and plunder from nature with its increasingly highly advanced technologies, the ancient Eastern sages admonish that human beings are just a small part of, and closely linked to, the world. These thoughts are universal in Chinese culture. For instance, traditional Chinese tea sets always have three parts: the lid, cup, and tray, respectively symbolizing heaven, people, and earth. In another example, Chinese stress reunions of the family, and consider harmonious family relationships a great fulfillment and pleasure in life, while the westerners are generally more individual, independent, and adventurous.Whats more, Chinese lay stress on systemization and integrity, while English lay stress on analysis and formalization. As a result, Chinese is covert-relation representation; Lacking in formal markers, loose and detached structure; English is overt-meaning representation；Rich in formal markers, rigid and well-knit structure.2. Translation between Chinese and English2.1 English-Chinese translation Some English sentences, especially compound sentences, composite sentences and coordinate complex sentencesis highly hypotactic. In translation, if you dont omit the coordinators, subordinators, relative pronouns, adverbs and prepositions. The translated work will seems to be too complicated. I will elaborate it though examples.1. Smart as a rule, but this time a fool.A、通常很聪明，但此刻很糊涂。B、聪明一世，糊涂一时。2. Come if you like.A、如果你想来就来吧B、想来就来吧3. When Smith was drunk, he used to beat his wife and daughter; and the next morning, with a headache, he would rail at the word for its neglect of his genius.A、当史密斯喝醉之后，他常常打老婆和女儿；并且第二天带着头痛发牢骚，抱怨世人不能赏识他的才华。B、史密斯喝醉之后，常常打老婆和女儿；第二天带着头痛发牢骚，抱怨世人不能赏识他的才华。 From the example above, we can find that “B” is better than “A”. Why? Because in “B”, we omit the connectives such as: “but” “if” ”when”, so the translated Chinese vision in” B “is nature, simple and smooth. However, there are also some Chinese sentences carry the hypotactic features, thus, we might as well retain the original words. Most of these kinds of words are connectives which represent causes and results, purposes or conditions. Here are examples.1. If anyone should call, please let me know.A. 有人打电话，请告诉我一下。B. 如果有人打电话，请告诉我一下。2. Since we live near the sea, we enjoy a healthy climateA、我们住在海滨，能够享受有益健康的气候。B、因为我们住在海滨，所以能够享受有益健康的气候。3、He told us to keep quiet so that we might not disturb others.A.他叫我们保持安静，怕打扰别人。B他叫我们保持安静，以免打扰别人。 In the three examples above, “B” is a better choice. Because it disclosure the relationship between clauses and make sense. So sometimes we should not omit the connective words. 2.2 Chinese -English translation English grammar is overt, while Chinese grammar is covert. When we do Chinese -English translation, we should first understand the meaning of the Chinese sentences and find the logical relationship within the sentence, second, add the missing words into the sentences; finally, translate it into English.1.燕子去了, 有再来的时候; 杨柳枯了, 有再青的时候; 桃花谢了, 有再开的时候。但是, 聪明的, 你告诉我, 我们的日子为什么一去不复返呢?Swallows may have gone, (but) there is a time of return; Willow trees may have died back, (but) there is a time of regreening; Peach blossoms may have fallen, (but )they will bloom again. Now, you the wise, tell me, why should our days leave us, never to return?2. 一般情感主义者喜欢用大字眼，称之为对于理想爱情的渴望。换言之，他们认为女人的情感平时只能零星发泄，必须有了丈夫和孩子，情感收聚起来有了归宿，自己才能得到满足。It was ( what ) sentimentalists, who deal in very big words, call a yearning after the deal, and simply means ( that ) women are not satisfied ( until ) they have husband (and ) children on whom they may center affections, (which) are spent elsewhere, as it were, in small change.3.太公钓鱼,愿者上钩。嗟来之食,吃下去肚子要痛的。(Like) Chiang Tai Kung fishing , they have cast the line for the fish who want to be caught . But he (who) swallows food handed out in contempt will get a belly ache.In the three examples, We add different kinds of connectives into the sentence so as to make it confine to the rigid English structure.3. The development in both English and ChineseAs time goes by, more and more English sentences carry the characteristics of parataxis. From a research, we find that the paratactic sentences in the novel A Tale of Two Cities is 57 percent and in the novel The Adventures of Tom Sawyer is 62 percent. If we look the works of the 20th century, such as For Whom the Bell Tolls, Gone with the Wind, we can find more .Here are examples Outside, the late afternoon sun slanted down in the yard, throwing into gleaming brightness the dogwood trees. - Gone with the WindHe had left his wife sitting on the sofa in the drawing room, her hands crossed in her lap, manifestly waiting for him to go out. This was not unusual. It happened, in fact, every day. - The Forsyte SagaThe bustle in a houseThe morning after deathIs solemnest of industriesEnacted upon earth, The sweeping up the heart,And putting love awayWe shall not want to use again - The Bustle in a House From the sentences and poem above, we can see that even though they did not use any connectives, relative pronouns, or relative adverbs, we can still catch the meaning.In contrast, when we compare the old Chinese with the modern Chinese. We may found that the modern Chinese seems to be more hypotactic than the old Chinese. Here is an example:1.（当时）余闻而愈悲。（因为）孔子曰: “苛政猛于虎也。”（尽管）吾尝疑乎是, 今以蒋氏观之, 犹信。2、一股作气，再（击鼓）（士气）而衰，三（击鼓）（士气）而竭。The old Chinese is more paratactic than the modern Chinese, When we translate the old Chinese into modern Chinese, we should add some connective words, subjective, predict and so on to make it understandable.Nowadays, when we do translation, we use English paratactic sentences to translate Chinese paratactic sentences. For example:黛玉叹道:“生死有命, 富贵在天 , 也不是人力可强的。今年比往年反觉双重了些似的。” 说话之间, 已咳嗽了两三次。“Life and death are determined by fate, rank and riches decreed by Heaven,” quoted Taiyu with a sigh.“ It is beyond the power of man to alter fate. It seems to me my illness is worse this year. “This short speech