文献阅读与翻译(精华版).doc

Unit 1 general description of literature reading and translation1.Definition of Literature Literature is a general term for professional writings in the form of books, papers, and other documentations. As an important means for preserving knowledge, literatures have become precious resources or treasures for the mankind, which have greatly contributed to the social progress of the human race.2.Classification of Literature1) Textbooks（课本） a kind of professional writing（一种专业的写作）2) Monographs（专著） various viewpoints and discussions3) Papers（论文） the theoretical analysis and experimental descriptiontitle, author, affiliation, abstract, keywords, introduction, theoretical analysis and/or experimental description, results and discussion or conclusion, acknowledgments, references4) Encyclopedias(百科全书) every branch of knowledge5) Periodicals （期刊） a series of publications 6)Special Documentation（特殊文档） all the printed materials3.Linguistic Features of Scientific Literaturestylistically (文体上) scientific literature is a kind of form writing;syntactically（结构上）scientific literature has rigorous grammatical structures and in most cases is rather unitary;Morphologically（语法上）scientific literaure is featured by high specialization,the use of technical terms and jargons ,unambiguous implication and the fixed sense of the wordPrinciples or Criteria of TranslationWhenever principles or criteria of translation are under discussion in China, Yan Fus three- character guide”-xin, da, ya, namely, faithfulness (信), expressiveness (达), and elegance (雅).These three principle has always been regarded as a plumb-line for measuring the professional level of translation and a goal for translators to strive after. However, in the application of this principle, people come to find some unsatisfactory aspects of the three-character guide and have put foreword a variety of new standards or criteria of translation. Despite a variety of opinions, two criteria are almost unanimously accepted by all, namely, the criterion of faithfulness/accuracy (忠实/准确) and that of smoothness (流畅). We may also take these two criteria as the principle scientific literature translation. By faithful/accuracy, we mean to be faithful not only to the original contents, to the original meaning and views, but also to the original form and style. By smoothness, we mean not only easy and readable rendering, but also idiomatic expression in the target language, free form stiff formula and mechanical copying form dictionaries.Unit 2 professional papers2.1.Definition of professional papers A professional paper is a typewritten paper in which professionals present their views and research findings on a chosen topic. It is variously known as the “research paper”, “course paper”, “thesis paper” or “library paper”. The task of the author of a paper is essentially the same: to read on a particular topic, gather information about it, and report the findings in it.2.2.Classification of professional papers 1)Report PaperThe report paper summarizes and reports the findings of another on a particular subject. The writer neither judges nor evaluates the findings, but merely catalogs them in a sensible sequence 2) Research paperA research paper can be intelligent, well informed, interesting, and original in its conclusions. 3) Course Papercourse papers are written after a specific course is learned or are designed at the end of a term. This type of paper is, therefore, also called “term paper”.4) Thesis Paperthe thesis paper takes a definite stand on an issue. A thesis is a proposition or point of view that a writer or speaker is willing to argue against or defend. A paper that argued for ratification of a certain event would therefore be a thesis paper. Writing a thesis paper requires a writer to exercise judgment, evaluate evidence, and construct a logical argument, whereas writing a report paper does not 2.3. Linguistic Features of Professional PapersFormal Style: A professional paper deals with the study of some objective facts or problems, and the conclusion that is drawn should be based on relevant data, not on personal likes and dislikes.Specialized Terms:The terms in professional papers are typically specialized. Even in the same field, the meanings of the same word may vary slightly due to its different collections.Take the word “normal” as an example. Generally, it means “iEee”; but in mathematics, it represents “法线”; and in the field of chemistry, “当量” Again the word “power.” In electronics, it is rendered as “电力” or “电源”; in mechanics, “动力”; whereas in mathematics, “幂”Rigid Sentence Structure:The arguments in professional papers will be convincing if they are presented concisely and concretely. A rigid sentence structure is therefore reflected to meet this requirement.Formatted Elements:Though there are no set rules, a complete professional paper in its finished form usually has a regular format composed of the following elements: the title, author(s), affiliation(s), abstract, keywords, introduction, body of the paper (theoretical description including calculation, inference, reasoning, conclusion, etc. or experimental description including techniques, methods, materials, results and analysis, etc.), acknowledgments, appendices, references or bibliography, etc.Different meaning of story(1)This war is becoming the most important story of this generation. Event 这场战争将成为这一代人经历的最重大的事件。(2) It is quite another story now. Situation 现在的情况完全不同了。(3) Some reporters who were not included in the session broke the story. Inside information 有些没让参加那次会议的记者把内情捅出去了。(4) Hell be very happy if that story holds up. Statement 如果这一说法当真，那他就太高兴了。(5) The Rita Hayworth story is one of the saddest. Experience 丽泰海华丝的遭遇算是最惨的了。(6) A young man came to Scottis office with a story. Law case 一个年轻人来到斯科特的办公室报案。develop(1) His plane developed engine trouble only seven miles after takeoff. (发生故障) (2) Modem aircraft are so heavy that the wings must develop a very large lift force in order to sustain the aircraft. (产生升力) (3) Inspired by these ideas, in 1752 Franklin developed a practical lightning rod. (发明避雷针) (4) A hypothesis is a specific statement developed by a scientist from observations. (5) Until the domain theory of magnetism was developed, they did not have much success. (提出理论) (6) To develop the capabilities of geophysical prospecting, the renewal of the techniques and equipment is the first thing to be considered. (提高能力) (7) Most of the money came from selling the secret of a new type of potato he had developed. (培育新品种) (8) As young Goddard grew into manhood, he developed tuberculosis. (患上结核病) (9) We must develop all the natural substances in our country which can make us rich. (开发资源) (10) Several attempts have been made through the years to develop the deposit.(开采矿床) (11) In developing a design, the engineer must apply his knowledge of engineering and material science. (进 行设计)4) Judging from Different Branches of Learning and Specialtiesbase(1) The lathe should be set on a firm base.车床应安装在坚实的底座上。(机械)(2) As we all know, a base reacts with an acid to form a salt.众所周知，碱与酸反应生成盐。(化学)(3) A transistor has three electrodes, the emitter, the base and the collector.晶体管有三个电极，即发射极，基极和集电极。(电子)(4) Line AB is the base of the triangle ABC. AB 线是三角形 ABC 的底边。 (数学) (5) He is on the second base. 他在二垒。(体育)Unit3 report3.1. Definition of Report A report is a form of communication in which the writer gives information to some person or organization because it is his/her responsibility to do so. 3.2. Content of Report(1) Information or the date(2) Calculations(3) Conclusions (4) A recommend/ recommendations3.3 Classification of ReportsInformal Reports:Informal reports are short, each containing one to three pages of narrative and occasionally attachments such as drawings, photographs, and statistics, etc. They generally fall into the following kinds: incident reports, field trip reports, inspection reports, progress reports, and short investigation reports, etc.Semiformal Reports:Semiformal reports refer to reports of the following kinds: test and laboratory reports, investigation or evaluation reports and suggestions and proposals, etc.Formal Reports:Formal reports have a much more commanding presence than informal or even semiformal reports. A formal report is more likely to be referred to as a feasibility study, an investigation or evaluation report, a product analysis, or a project report. Sometimes one of these names may precede the reports main title, but more often the name is omitted and the title stands alone (e.g., the words Evaluation Report or Investigation Report do not appear on the title page.) 3.4. Linguistic Features of Reports3.4.1 Various PatternsLetter form report Schematic form report Short report (or Summary report) Mixed form report 3.4.2 Self-sufficient A report should be serf-sufficient. That is, anyone who is likely to read it should be able to do so without having to rely on his/her memory or consult his/her files for extra information. This could be achieved by a clear opening of the report, the purpose of which is clearly identified.3.4.3 More Active VoiceThe pronoun “I” is readily evident in the informal memo reports. Since the reader of a report is normally pre-known by the writer, for example, of a feasibility study report, a progress report, etc., the active voice is usually used instead of the passive in the report.3.4.4 Clear CitationWhen the material is quoted directly, quotation marks must be used. If words are omitted from a quotation, ellipses (.) should be substituted. If information is quoted indirectly (without quotation marks, as in: President so and so believed that.), the original meaning should be conveyed as exactly as possible. In either case credit should be given to the information source.3.4.5 Standard LanguageEvery report has a thesis-or point of view-unless it is purely descriptive, and the writer must make sure that the thesis is supported by the research.The language used is normally not complex but straightforward. It is brief yet fully informative. Avoid cluttering the narrative with unnecessary words and expressions. Present facts clearly and in logical sequence.The conclusion should be general and not too abrupt, and it should follow logically from what has preceded it.Unit4 Abstracts4.1. Definition of Abstracts An abstract is a brief and self-contained summary and an accurate representation of the contents of a document such as a research paper, a journal article, thesis, review, conference proceeding, and other academic documents.4.2. Classification of AbstractsDepending on which information they contain, abstracts can be classified into major types: indicative (or descriptive abstracts), informative abstracts, indicative-informative abstracts and author abstracts. As they have different aims, they have different components and styles. While indicative abstracts are short in length and common in abstraction services, informative abstracts are usually those produced in thesis, journal essays, and research articles.(1) indicative (or descriptive abstracts) An indicative abstract or descriptive abstract is one that describes the type and nature of the work abstracted, indicating the principal subjects covered and providing a brief description of the way the facts are treated and the methods or techniques that are being reported.(2) informative abstracts An informative abstract summarizes as much as the essential elements of the document as possible, presenting and explaining all the main material contents in the complete article/paper/ book.(3) indicative/informative abstracts Indicative/ informative abstract is more common than either the pure indicative or the pure information style. It presents a summary of the essential arguments and findings of the original.(4) author abstract Author abstracts are abstracts prepared by authors of the document that has been subjected to abstracting. (5) slanted abstract(6) telegraphic abstract(7) mini-abstract(8) mission-oriented abstract(9) finding-oriented abstract(10) highlight abstractLinguistic features of abstracts(1) using topic, supporting, and concluding sentences(2) using brief but informative sentences(3) arranging in one paragraph(4) being conciseTranslation skills: technical terms(1) Affixation, includes prefixation and suffixation, with prefixes and suffixes as inseparable elements of the words being coined. (2) Compounding, The combination of two or more words to form a new word(3) Blending , This is a variant of compounding, consisting in omitting the latter part of the first word and clipping off the first part of the second word. (4) Acronyms, the formation of a word made up of the first letters of the name of something. (5) proper nouns(专有名词)汉译英在本国际标准中，”文摘”一词的意义是：对原文献内容准确、扼要而不加解释或评论的表述。无论作者是谁，对此均不应有所不同。一篇文摘应该根据文献的内容与文体，使之具有尽可能多的报道性。也就是说，文摘应尽可能多的表达文献内容中包含的定量或定性的信息。报道性文摘对于叙述实验研究和主题单一的文献足较为理想的。但某些内容庞杂或冗长的文献，例如泛述、综述以及整篇或整集的专著，则允许备有一个仅仅起指示性、描述性指南作用的文摘。还有一种必不可少的融报道性与指示性于一体的综合性文摘，这类文摘适用于文摘长度受限制，或因文献类型与文体的限制，而有必要对文献的要点作报道性介绍的情况。In this International Standard, the term abstract signifies an abbreviated, accurate representation of the contents of a document without added interpretation or criticism and without distinction as to who wrote the abstract.An abstract should be informative as is permitted by the type and style of the document; that is, it should present as much as possible of the quantitative and /or qualitative information contained in the document. Informative abstracts are especially desirable for texts describing experimental work and documents devoted to a single theme. However, some discursive or lengthy texts, such as broad overviews, review papers, and entire monographs, may permit the preparation of an abstract that is only an indicative or descriptive guide. A combined informative-indicative abstract must often be prepared when limitations on the length of the abstract or the type and style of the document make it necessary to confine informative statements to the primary elements.4.5. Terminology and Institutions Concerned with Abstracts(连线题)1. Institution of Electrical Engineers2. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers 3. Plenum Publishing Corporation Plenum 4. Xerox5. University Microfilms 6. Microfilm Abstracts7. Dissertation Abstracts8. Humanities and Social Sciences9. Doctoral dissertations Unit 5 Proposals5.1.Definition of ProposalA proposal is a suggestion or request that some particular action be taken.written offer to a solve technical problems in a particular way, specified plan to management , and specified compensation are the main elements of proposal. 5.2.Classification of Proposals Informal SuggestionsA suggestion offers an idea and briefly discusses its advantages and disadvantages. Semiformal ProposalsA semifinal proposal presents ideas for resolving a problem or improving a situation, evaluates them against certain criteria, and often recommends what action should be taken. Formal ProposalsA formal proposal describes an organizations plans for carrying out a large project for a major client, such as the government.2. Format of ProposalThe elements that are essential to every proposal are: (1) statement of need; (2) project objectives; (3) statement of procedures; (4) statement of strengths, and (5) a method for evaluating the effectiveness of the program.Unit 6 Conference Documents6.1. Definition of Conference DocumentsConference documents are printed materials distributed before or at or after a conference, concerning the announcements, arrangements, and other information of the conference, 6.2. Classification of Conference Documents Documents in the Preparation of a Conference or SymposiumAnnouncements and Call for Papers (or: General Announcement & Call for Papers; Call for Participation); Instructions for Authors; Instructions for Speakers; Registration Form; Accommodation Registration Form; Invitations, and General Information containing preliminary Time Schedule, etc.Documents Distributed at a Conference or Symposium Documents Distributed after a Conference or SymposiumUnit 7 Reviews7.1. Definition of Review: A review, as opposed to a survey, should be a critical summary, commentary and literally documented assessment of a work on a specific subject or in a particular field.7.2. Classification of Reviews(1) Literature ReviewLiterature review is written on a particular subject (or a specialty) through analysis, study, synthesis, comment on the basis of extensively referencing professional materials both at home and abroad.(2)Book ReviewBook review is a kind of research writing, an article published in a newspaper or periodical that announces the publication of a new book.7.3. Linguistic Features of Review1) General Contents of Book ReviewsA good book review is always within the scope of three elements: (1) it tells what the book is about,(2) it asserts a judgment of the books worth,(3) it defends that judgment. Besides, some reviews undertake to familiarize the reader with the background of the book, 2) General Contents of Literature Reviews(1) includes the background, the prior work, present disputes, current development and prospect, etc. of the subject the review is about; (2) reveals the authors rigorous and objective comments; (3) provides the reader with a great number of references.3) Presentation of a ReviewHeading Layout References Notes Name and biographical date