英汉词性转换英语期末考试论文.doc

Conversion of Words Types in English-Chinese Translation姓名：曹莉沙 学号：20084033005 班级：08级英语师范2班Abstract: Conversion is a kind of translating method which is used by translator widely at present. In this paper, many types of conversion will be discussed, Such as English verb, adjective and adverb can be converted into Chinese noun, English noun, adjective and adverb can be converted into Chinese verb, etc. Moreover, I just focus on the English-Chinese translation.Key Word: conversion, English-Chinese translation, type.Introduction:Conversion is often used in English-Chinese translation, some English words are converted into Chinese in another part of speech words. Because of English and Chinese have many differences in vocabulary and grammatical structure. Therefore, we cannot translate word by word in the process of English-Chinese translation. We may use conversion to make sentences become more natural and fluent, but it should be faithful to the original intention. Thus, the translation coincides with the expression of Chinese. 1. Definition By conversion it means that in translation a word of a certain type/class in the SL text is not necessarily to be turned into a word of the same type/class in the TL text. A word often has to be converted into a different word type/class so as to conform to the usage of the TL due to differences in syntactic structures and idiomatic expressions of the two languages.2. Conversion 2. 1 Being converted into verbLanguages vary in the order of the subject, the verb and the object. Compared with the English language, Chinese language employees more verbs. So, sometimes English part of speech may be converted into Chinese verb.2.1.1 Conversion from noun to verbNoun that is derived from verb or contain the meaning of verb or is the core word in the phrase should be converted into verb usually. For example, (1) Robots have found application for the exploration of the universe. 机器人已经用来探索宇宙。(2) I am afraid I cant teach you swimming. I think my little brother is a better teacher than I. 我未必会教你游泳。我想我的小弟弟比我教得好。In the first example, application and exploration are derived from “apply”, “explore”, we should put them convert into Chinese verbs: 用来和探求。In the second example, teacher is derived from “teach”, “teach” with suffix “er”. So the translation is “teach” in the Chinese text. We all know from these examples that nouns which are derived from verbs are converted into Chinese verb usually. (3) You should take care of them. 你应该照顾她。 “Care” is not only noun, but also is verb, so nouns that contain the meaning of verb can be translated into Chinese verb. For this reason, in English-Chinese translation, “have a rest”, “take care of”, “pay attention to” can be translated into Chinese verbs: 休息、提及、注意和 照顾。It can make your translation smoother.2. 1. 2 Conversion from adjective to verbAdjectives which express state of psychological and act as predicative can be converted into verbs usually. Such as: confident, certain, careful, cautious, angry, a-live, sure, ignorant, afraid, doubtful, aware, concerned, glad, delighted, sorry, ashamed, thankful, anxious, grateful, able, etc. For example, the fact that she was able to apologize was a hint, but I had to be cautious. 她能够道歉这件事是一个暗示,但是我还不得不小心谨慎。Adjective “able” and “cautious” are converted respectively into Chinese verb words: “能够、小心谨慎”, so conversion make translation more fluency and accuracy. 2. 1. 3 Conversion from preposition to verbPreposition is often used in English language. Many preposition contain the meaning of action, such as across、towards, etc. (1) These Party members worked long hours on meager food, in cold wave, and by dim lights. 党员们吃粗陋的食物，住寒冷的窑洞，靠微弱的灯光，长时间的工作。 Three prepositions “on”, “in”, “by” are translated respectively into Chinese verbs: “吃”“住”“靠”, the translation is very good. Otherwise, the original text cannot be translated. 2. 1. 4 Conversion from adverb to verb(1) That day he was up before sunrise. 那天他在日出之前就起来了。In this example, “up” is adverb, but express action. So “up” is translated verb “起床”.2.2 Being converted into noun2.2.1 Conversion from verb into nounSome verbs are denominatives, and some nouns can be treated as verbs. So sometimes, verbs can be converted into nouns. For example, （1）The electronic computer is chiefly characterized by its accurate and rapid computation. 电子计算机的主要特点是计算迅速，准确。（2）Gases differ from solids in that the former have greater compressibility than the latter. 气体和固体的区别，在于前者比后者有更大的紧缩性。 In the two examples, “characterize” and “differ” are transformed respectively by character and difference; it is difficult to find the corresponding verbs in the Chinese language to translate. So, for the nature of translation, “characterize” and “differ” can only be converted into nouns to act as subject. 2.2.2 Conversion from adjective into nounIn the English language, some adjectives add definite article “the” can be expressed kind of people, these adjectives can be translated into nouns. For example,（1）They did their best to help the sick and the wounded. 他们尽了最大努力帮助病号和伤员。the sick and the wounded may stand for two kinds of people who are sickness and wound separately, so we may say“病号”和“伤员”in Chinese. There are some another cases of conversion from adjective to noun. According to some cases, some adjectives can be converted into nouns.（1）he is eloquent and elegant, but soft. 他有口才，有风度，但很软弱。 “eloquent”, “elegant” and “soft” are adjective, they are translated into nouns in process of translating.2.2.3 Conversion from adverb into nounHe is physically weak but mentally sound. 他身体虽弱，但思想健康。“Physically” are adverbial. But, it expresses the weak aspect of subject; it can be translated into noun body. Similarly, translate “mentally” into thought.2.3 Being converted into adjective.2.3.1 Conversion from noun into adjectiveNoun which is derived from an adjective can be converted into adjective. Such as nouns “necessity”, “stupidity” and “depth” are derived from necessary, stupid, deep. For example, This issue is of vital importance. 这个问题至关重要。 Nouns should be converted into adjective when they act as predicative with indefinite article in sentence. For example, our performance was a success. 我们的演出很成功。2.3.2 Conversion from adverb into adjectiveBecause of English verb can be converted into Chinese noun, adverb which modifies verb can be also converted into adjective. For example, he was deeply impressed by what they did in the critical moment. 他们在关键时刻的行为给他留下了深刻的印象。“deeply” is a adverbs of degree which shows the degree in the sentence, and “impress” can be translated into Chinese noun “印象”, so “deeply” can be converted into adjective to be as attributive to modify “印象”.2.4 Being converted into adverb 2.4.1 Conversion from noun into adverbIn English, some nouns of abstract meanings can be translated into Chinese adverb.I had the impression that Mr. Smith was the director of the company. 在我印象中，史密斯先生是该公司的董事长。Impression is qualified by appositive clause in original sentence. Therere not many such expressions in Chinese. So, impression can be translated into Chinese adverb. This method is often used in appositive clause. 2.4.2 Conversion from adjective into adverbWhen English nouns are translated into Chinese verbs, the adjectives which modify nouns be usually translated into Chinese adverb.For example, (1) we have made a careful study of the properties of these chemical elements. 我们仔细研讨了这些化学元素的特性。(2) We must make full use of existing technical equipment. 我们必需充沛应用现有技术设备。The adjective “careful” qualifies noun “study”, and “full” qualifies noun “use”. So, “careful” and “full” converted into corresponding Chinese adverb “仔细地”and“充沛”.2.4.3 Conversion from verb into adverbSome words that have Chinese adverb meaning in English language can be converted into Chinese adverb. For example, (1) I succeeded in persuading him. 我成功地说服了他。Succeed is verb, but the meaning of verb is not obvious, it just emphasize the result in the sentence. The word of true verb meaning is “persuade”. So, “succeed” should be translated into Chinese adverb to modify “persuade”.2.5 Conversion of E