英汉互译4-amplification

Unit 4 AmplificationAmplification, also called addition, means supplying necessary words in our translation on the basis of accurate comprehension of the original. As a matter of principle, a translator is not supposed to add any meaning or subtract any meaning from the original. However, this does not mean that a translator should refrain from supplying necessary words to make his/her version both accurate in meaning and in keeping with the idiomatic use of the language to be translated into. In fact, it is precisely for the purpose of “faithful representation” of the author that we often resort to “amplification”. I. Amplification in English-Chinese Translation1.1. Adding Words Omitted in the Original If so grand, why so poor? If so poor, why so grand? “既然那么阔，干吗要叫穷？既然那么穷，干吗摆阔气？” Matter can be changed into energy, and energy into matter. 物质可以转化为能，能也可以转化为物质。 The best conductor has the least resistance and the poorest the greatest. 最好的导体电阻最小，最差的导体电阻最大。 In the evening, after the banquets, the concerts and the table tennis exhibitions, he would work on the drafting of the final communiqu. 晚上在参加宴会出席音乐会观看兵乓球表演赛之后，他还得起草最后公报。1.2. Adding Necessary Connectives Heated, water will change into vapor. 水如受热，就会汽化。 However carefully boiler casings and steam pipes are sealed, some heat escapes and is lost. 不管锅炉壳与蒸汽管封闭得多么严密，还是有一部分热散失损耗掉。 Since air has weight, it exerts force on any object immersed in it. 因为空气具有重量，所以处在空气中的任何物体都会受到空气的作用力。1.3. Adding Words to Convey the Concept of Plurality Note that the words “velocity” and “speed” require explanation. 请注意，“速度”和“速率”这两个词需要解释。(增数词） He stretched his legs which were scattered with scars. 他伸出双腿，露出腿上的道道伤痕。（增量词） The mountains began to throw their long blue shadows over the valley. 群山开始向山谷投下一道道蔚蓝色长影。（增量词）1.4. Adding Words to Indicate Different Tenses or Sequences In Beijing, there was a divine scale and a higgledy-piggledy scale. 过去的北京既有一种神圣的规模，又有一种杂乱无章的格局。 We wont retreat; we never have and never will. 我们不会后退，我们从未后退过，将来也绝不后退。 I had imagined it to be merely a gesture of affection, but it seems it is to smell the lamb and make sure that it is her own. 我原本以为这不过是一种亲热的表示，但是现在看来，这是为了嗅嗅羊羔的气味，以断定它是不是自己的孩子。1.5. Amplification by Logical Analysis Air pressure decreases with altitude. 气压随海拔高度的增加而下降。 I was taught that two sides of a triangle were greater than the third. 我学过，三角形的两边之和大于第三边。 This shows that the resistance of an electric conductor is inversely proportional to its cross-section area. 这表明，导体电阻的大小与导体横切面的大小成反比。1.6. Amplification for Purposes of Rhetoric (修辞) or Coherence (连贯) This printer is indeed cheap and fine. 这部打印机真是价廉物美。 I came to a garden of grottoes, pavilions and shapely rocks and trees. 我来到一个假山花园前，园中亭阁玲珑，山石嶙峋，树木葱郁。 A scientist constantly tried to defeat his hypotheses, his theories and his conclusions. 科学家经常设法推翻自己的假设，否定自己的理论，放弃自己的结论。1.7. Amplification by Repetition Avoid using this computer in extreme cold, heat, dust or humidity. 不要在过冷，过热，灰尘过重，湿度过大的情况下使用此电脑。 I had experienced oxygen and /or engine trouble. 我曾经遇到的情况，不是氧气设备出故障，就引擎出故障，或者两者都出故障。 The world has never seen a nation as big as China rise as far and as fast as China has in the past 20 years. 过去20年里，全世界从未见过哪个崛起的国家有中国这样大、崛起的速度有中国这样快、影响有中国这样广。1.8. Amplification by supplying words to make an abstract concept clear Oxidation will make iron and steel rusty. 氧化作用会使钢铁生锈。 The lack of resistance in very cold metals may become useful in electronic computers. 这种在甚低温金属中没有电阻的现象可能会对电子计算机很有用处。 After all preparations were made, the plane took off. 一切准备工作就绪以后，飞机就起飞了。II. Amplification in Chinese-English Translation2.1 Adding necessary pronouns 大作收到，十分高兴。 I was very glad to have received your writing. 没有调查研究就没有发言权。 He who makes no investigation and study has no right to speak. 交出翻译之前，必须读几遍，看看有没有要修改的地方。 Before handing in your translation, you have to read it over and over again and see if there is anything in it to be corrected or improved.2.2 Adding necessary articles 我们对问题要做全面的分析，才能解决得妥当。 We must make a comprehensive analysis of a problem before it can be properly solved. 耳朵是用来听声音的器官，鼻子用来嗅气味，舌头用来尝滋味。 The ear is the organ which is used for hearing. The nose is used for smelling. The tongue is used for tasting. 我们对问题要做全面的分析，才能解决得妥当。 We must make a comprehensive analysis of a problem before it can be properly solved. / to have the problem settled.2.3 Adding necessary connectives 老师在等我，我得走了。 The teacher is expecting me, so I must be off now. 虚心使人进步，骄傲使人落后。 Modesty helps one to go forward, whereas conceit makes one lag behind. 留得青山在，不怕没柴烧。 So long as green hills remain, there will never be a shortage of firewood.2.4 Adding necessary prepositions 咱们校门口见吧。 Lets meet at the school gate. 你是白天工作还是夜间工作？ Do you work in the daytime or at night? 该地区已没什么城乡差别。 There is little difference between town and country side in this region.2.5 Adding necessary background words 三个臭皮匠，赛过诸葛亮。 Three cobblers with their wits combined equal Zhuge Liang the mastermind. 别班门弄斧。 Dont try to show off your proficiency with the ax before Lu Ban the master carpenter. 这真是俗话说的：“旁观者清”。 It is just as the proverb goes, “The onlooker sees most of the game.”Reflections and PracticeDiscuss the following questions.1. What is the function of amplification? And why is it needed in translation?2. What are the major means employed in amplification?3. Do you think the application of the technique of amplification in Chinese-English is just the same as in English-Chinese translation? Why o