科技英语的特征和翻译的技巧

1、成绩毕业论文英文题目: The Characteristics of EST and Techniques of Translation 中文题目: 科技英语的特征和翻译的技巧 学 院: 专 业: 班 级: 学生姓名: 学 号: 指导教师: 完成日期: 评 语指导教师签名： 年 月 日 AbstractWith the international academic exchange the increasingly widespread, English for Science and Technology（EST）has been paid great attention. Based on

2、 the reality, make a tentative studytheoretically and systematically. The article defines English for Science and Technology from the development history of English translation. What the kind of the style type is it. Compared with other style types, what is the difficulty? The next step, the author

3、detailed demonstrates the characteristics of EST from two sides: vocabulary and syntax. And the author comes up with the principles of translation. Finally state the techniques of ESTs translation systematically in order that it can help people grasp the basic rules and commonly used skills of ESTS

4、translation and practical translating techniques. So they can make great progress in translating English for Science and Technology. The purpose of my paper is mainly to help people read, understand and enjoy the science around them in everyday life. Key words：EST, language characteristics, translat

5、ion, principles, techniques摘要随着国际学术交流的日益广泛，科技英语已经受到普遍的重视，针对现状对科技英语翻译方法与技巧作了综合、系统性理论研究。本文从英语翻译发展的历史讲起，论述了科技英语的定义，它是种什么样的文体类型，与其他类型文体相比有什么不同之处。接着通过详细的从词汇，句法两个方面来介绍它的语言特点，并提出了翻译的原则。最后引出我们翻译科技英语的一些技巧。目的是在于帮助人们运用所学的知识，掌握科技英语翻译的基本规律和方法，以及非常实用的翻译技巧，提高他们科技英语的翻译能力，便于他们了解周围的科技成果.关键词：科技英语，语言特点，翻译，原则，技巧Contents

6、AbstractI摘要IIContentsIIIChapter 1 Introduction11.1 Context11.2 Significance of the Study11.3 Shape of the Paper2Chapter 2 The Characteristics of EST32.1 Definition of EST42.2 Characteristics In Vocabulary of EST42.21 Affixation52.22 Compounding52.23 Blending62.24 Acronym62.25 Proper Nouns72.3 Charac

7、teristics In Syntax of EST72.31 More Long and Complicated Sentences72.32 More Nominalization82.33 Extensive Use of The Passive Voice82.34 More Non-Finite Forms of the Verb92.35 Different Uses of the Tense92.36 The Post-position of the Attributive9Chapter 3 Techniques Employed in the Translation of E

8、ST103.1 Faith-fullness Expressiveness and Elegance103.2 Semantic Extension113.21 Semantic Conversion113.22 Semantic Materialization123.23 Semantic Abstraction123.3 Semantic Amplification or Omission123.4 Word Conversion133.41 Converting into Verbs133.42 Converting into Nouns133.43 Converting into Ad

9、jectives143.44 Converting into Adverbs143.5 Long Sentences153.51 Methods of Translating Long Sentences in EST15Chapter 4 Conclusion19Bibliography20Chapter 1 Introduction1.1 ContextWith the development of science and technology and the gradual penetration of global economic integration, English for S

10、cience and Technology (EST) attracted more and more attention and concern of experts in language and science community. EST is increasingly showing its uniqueness. It has become an independent style. Translation is a process to use another language to express expressed things in one language fluentl

11、y and accurately. Compared with other subjects essay, scientific specialized contexts do greatly differ in the content, the form of expression and style. It has the characteristics of strong technology, strong specialty and strong, tight logic and succinct expression.1.2 Significance of the StudyThi

12、s paper discussed the translation and techniques of English for Science and TechnologyBased on the reality, the present thesis aims at making a tentative studytheoretically and systematically. In our daily life, we often read various kinds of articles written in English. The author demonstrates the

13、characters of English for Science and Technology and explains the techniques that the teachers in teaching translation of cultural English and English for Science and Technology. The author also states the criteria and techniques of ESTs translation systematically in order that it can help students

14、grasp the basic rules and commonly used techniques of ESTs translation and practical translating techniques. So they can make great progress in translating English for Science and Technology. The purpose of my paper is mainly to help young people read，understand and enjoy the science around them in

15、everyday life.1.3 Shape of the PaperThis thesis includes four parts.Chapter 1, the introduction part, which will be initiated by introducing the context, research problems and significance of the study.Chapter 2 touches briefly upon the knowledge of EST-its two charactersEnglish and Chinese are so d

16、ifferent that they form their own charactersAnd English for Science and Technology has its characteristicsAuthor states its two characters in vocabulary and syntax.Chapter 3 states basic principles employed in the translation of EST. Faith-fulnessl, expressiveness and elegance are the three principl

17、es in the translation of EST.And it present several techniques employed in the translation of EST.The conclusion chapter generalizes characteristics of EST and principles, techniques of translation. At last state my purpose.Chapter 2 The Characteristics of ESTIn China，translation first existed as th

18、e purpose of foreign language learning and was taught as a course as early as in the Ming Dynasty .In the Qing Dynasty, English was first taught in同文馆whose purpose was also to train professional translators for the governmentGenerally speaking from 1920s to 1949，the main method used in English teach

19、ing in ordinary schools was the method of grammar-translation From the year 1949 to 1956，only Basic English was taught in the universities because many students studied Russian in the middle schoolsSince 1977，English has regained its popularity, and English instruction today is better than it was ev

20、er beforeWith the exchange between China and the English speaking countries in English teaching，including the exchange of research and teaching staff, the exchange of textbooks and academic periodicalspeople began to have a better understanding of the theory and practice of English teaching in forei

21、gn countries，which has great influence on the development of English teaching in ChinaTranslation，on one hand，is used as a method in English teaching, on the other hand，is regarded as a separate course for the English majors in the foreign language colleges and departmentsMeanwhile translation is al

22、so treated as one of the five basic skills for the non-English major students in almost every universityEnglish and Chinese are different kinds of languages. Because of the differences in region and culture background, the uses of these two languages are completely different. They formed their own u

23、nique styles and characters. The teaching of EST translation and techniques can help people learn English well and increase their ability of translation.2.1 Definition of ESTEST is the language used in the professional contexts of natural science and technology. It is different from other style type

24、s.1. EST does not have the emotional color. Its purpose is to make the reader understand easily and do not produce too much imagination. Also do not often use parables, parallelism, hyperbole rhetoric, but to accurately express the objective law, according to logical thinking clearly describe the pr

25、oblem. 2. The vocabulary of EST meaning is single-minded, stable, especially a large number of professional terms which meaning is fixed, exclusive. Even if like “do, take, make” these common verbs which have many meanings. They also comparatively fixed the meaning of words. The expression is easy t

26、o understand in EST. 3. EST is a written language. It requires rigorous, concise, and doesnt ask for the magnificent words accumulation. It also does not consider reading and reciting.Generally speaking，there is no special requirement for the translation of EST in comparison with general English exc

27、ept for its wording and characteristic structuresHere I am going to survey the translation of EST in two aspects：Its vocabulary and syntax (刘宓庆，1998).2.2 Characteristics In Vocabulary of ESTOne of the most distinctive feature of EST is its technical terms, which not only account for a large part of

28、English vocabulary, but also are the most important source of newly coined words in modern English, ranging over an extensive area of various fields(马万超，2006).A mastery of them will benefit us a great deal in translation of EST.In terms of form, English technical terms may be classified into three c

29、ategories, namely, single words (e.g. Internet因特网.) compound forms (e.g. splashdown 溅落.) and phrases (e.g. on-and-off-the-road 路面越野两用的). Since most of the technical terms come out of the basic rules of word-formation. Its necessary for us to conduct a brief survey of their formation-affixation, comp

30、ounding, blending, acronym, proper nouns(潘尔艳，2006).2.21 AffixationAffixation is an important means of coining new words and technical terms，with prefix and suffix as inseparable elements of the words being coinedThese prefixes and suffixes are familiar to us. Many technical terms of such formation c

31、an be translated appropriatelyThe advantage of affixation is evident：it is the most flexible means of forming new words and its potential of creation is almost boundless，therefore it is extensively used in the formation of technical termsBesides prefix and suffix of English origin，there are some for

32、eign borrowings，noticeably the Latin ones，egbio-(生命、生物)，thermo-(热)，electro-(电)，aero-(空气)，carbo-(碳)，hydro-(水)，-mania(热、狂)，etcIf we are familiar with these prefixes and suffixes，many technical terms of such formation can be translated appropriatelyThe following are some typical examplesBathythermograp

33、h=bathy+ thermo+ graph 海水测量仪Deoxyribonucleic=de+ oxy+ ribo+ nucleic 脱氧核糖核的2.22 CompoundingThat two or more words combined to form a new word is called compounding. English technical terms formed by compounding generally take three forms: Combining with a hyphen (e.g. salt-former 卤素) or without it (e

34、.g. fallout 放射性尘埃), or two or more separate words forming a word combination (e.g. verbal translator 逐字翻译机) (方梦之，1994).2.23 BlendingIt is a variant of compounding, omitting the latter part of the first word and clipping off the first part of the second word. This blending of words possesses the comb

35、ined meaning of both. Therefore, literal translation is used in translating such terms, with one element modifying the other.Smog= smoke+ fog 烟雾Bruch= breakfast+ lunch 早午餐Biorhythm= biological+ rhythm生理节奏2.24 AcronymAn acronym is a word made up from the first letters of the name of something. Since

36、it is very convenient to use this brief form, acronym is widely adopted in English technical terms. ADP = automatic data processing 自动数据处理AIDS= Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome艾滋病RAM =random access memory 随机存取存储器Sometimes, an acronym happens to be a significant English word, or it may possess mor

37、e than one meaning. In this case, special attention is necessary to pick out the proper one.ASair scoop 空气收集器air seasoned 风干的air speed 气流速率American Standard 美国标准2.25 Proper NounsMany of the technical terms in English are borrowed from proper nouns such as names of people, places, firms, trade marks,

38、 organizations, and so on. In such cases, consulting relevant dictionaries will be of great help(保清，1983).Xerox 静电复制（derived from a trademark）IBM System IBM系统（derived from a US corporation）Kuku 库鲁病（derived from a place in eastern New Guinea）Besides the above ways of word-formation，there are some oth

39、er means to form technical terms in EnglishIn whatever circumstances，the discrimination of the original meaning and the contextual analysis are of vital importanceOnly when we get an accurate understanding of them，can we put them into Chinese exactly as they actually mean.2.3 Characteristics In Synt

40、ax of EST2.31 More Long and Complicated SentencesIn order to state a thing accurately and draw a conclusion tightly, EST as a former style of writing usually consists of more long and complicated sentences. When translated into Chinese, a long sentence may be cut into several parts. For example:Plan

41、ning means defining goals for future organizational performance and deciding on the tasks and use of resources needed to attain them.计划意味着为将来的组织工作确立目标,设置任务和确定如何使用资源来完成这些任务.2.32 More NominalizationRemarkable characteristic of EST is that the nominalization is inclined to. Nominalization refers to tho

42、se abstract nouns, which can show movement and statement and some infinite verbs, which can be used as a noun.Compared with general English, noun phrases are more frequently used in EST. This is because science literature contains more abstract concepts such as definitions, principles, laws, conclus

43、ions, etc, and manifold modification and restriction are required to elaborate these concepts or ideas. As the semantic meaning of a noun phrase that consists of several words is usually complicated, the translation should go beyond the surface structure.e.g. The earth rotates on its own axis, which

44、 causes the change from day to night.The rotation of the earth on own axis causes the change from day to night.2.33 Extensive Use of The Passive VoiceTurn over any one page of EST, a certain number of passive voices is found. Because passive voice is very important to state fact, method functions an

45、d features. Passive voice can express an idea more objectively than active voice, thus helping reader pay much attention to thing that is being stated, fact and procedure. e.g. Attention must be paid to the working temperature of the machine.应当注意机器的工作温度2.34 More Non-Finite Forms of the VerbNon-finit

46、e of the verb, namely, the infinitive, the gerund, the present and the past participles are frequently used in EST. For example:A body can move uniformly and in a straight line if there is no cause to change that motion.A body can move uniformly and in a straight line, there being no cause to change

47、 that motion.如果没有改变物体运动的原因，那么物体将做匀速直线运动。2.35 Different Uses of the TenseIn general English, the past tense is used to indicate things of the past that no longer exist now. But in scientific English, the past tense may just indicate time sequences. For example:When steam is condensed again to water,

48、the same amount of heat is given out as was taken in when the steam was found.当蒸汽重新冷却为水时，所释放出得能量与其原来形成蒸汽时所吸收的能量相等。 2.36 The Post-position of the AttributiveIt is very common in EST to have the post-position of the attributive. In EST, noun often is followed by prep-phrase, adj-phrase, participial-ph

49、rase and adv-as rear mounted attribute. But in Chinese the attributive is usually placed before the noun it modifies.In small and medium-sized companies, the safety manager and the safety representative often have other duties besides their health and safety tasks. (介词短语后置)Chapter 3 Techniques Emplo

50、yed in the Translation of EST3.1 Faith-fullness Expressiveness and EleganceThe so-called principles and criteria of ESTs translation are actually the two sides of the same thing，The former lays emphasis on the translator, who should follow them while translating；while the latter on the reader or cri

51、tic，who may use the criteria to evaluate translation worksWhenever principles or criteria of translation are under discussion in China，Yah Fus(严复) “threecharacter guide”， which was first proposed in 1898，would evoke controversy, namely, the principle of faithfulness，expressiveness and elegance(萧立明,娄

52、胜平,2005).Three kinds of opinions are expressed on the principle of faithfulness，expressiveness and eleganceThe first group maintains the original three character“雅”According to them，“雅”means far more than the English word“elegance”Apart from the traditional interpretation，it also means classicism，th

53、e adherence to the original style and flavorThe second group，however, argues that the word“雅”is out of place in translationWhile adopting the first two characters of Mr.Yan Fus principle，it discards the character“雅”and tries to find some other new criteria insteadNoticeably, there are revisions such

54、 as“信、达、切”（faithfulness，expressiveness and closeness)，“信，达，贴”(faithful ,expressiveness and fitness)，and so onThe third group of people，by casting away the three word guide，proposes some new principles or criteria of translation of their own. Of the various popular theories two of them are most influ

55、ential：spiritual conformity and sublimed adaptationThe former, proposed by Fu Lei（傅雷），emphasizes the reproduction of the spirit or the flavor of the original，while the latter, advocated by Qian Zhongshu，focuses on the translators smooth and idiomatic Chinese version for the sake of the Chinese reade

56、rDespite the variety of opinions，two criteria are almost unanimously accepted，namely, the criterion of faithfulnessaccuracy and that of smoothnessWe may also take these two criteria as the principles of translation in general. By faithfulnessaccuracy；we mean to be faithful not only to the original f

57、orm and styleBy smoothness，we mean not only easy and readable rendering，but also idiomatic expression in the target language，free from stiff formula and mechanical copying from dictionariesSo I think faithfulness and smoothness are the criteria of translation in English for Science and Technology3.2 Semantic ExtensionEST has its own Characteristics on application in lan