Transcript Chapter Nine: Translation of the Scripted Conversational

Chapter Nine: Translation of the
Scripted Conversational English
Conversational English:
informal style of language used
in various daily conversations.
( daily conversations; business
talks; telephone conversations;
interviews; talk shows; )
 Discourse on Page 190
 Discourse on Page 191
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Chapter Nine: Translation of the
Scripted Conversational English
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Language Features of
Conversational English:
Sentence length
Sentence structure( loose, ……)
Use of a wide variety of
vocabulary
Lack of background information
Change or conversion of topics
Omission or Incomplete
sentences
Language Features of
Conversational English
1.
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sentence
length
and
structure:
a. relatively short
b. simple, loose sentence
structure.
2. category of sentences:
basically composed of
statements and questions.
Language Features of
Conversational English
3. use of a wide variety of vocabulary:
colloquial words or expressions,
dialects, slang (words), jargon,
technical terms and even taboos.
4. change or conversion of topics:
5. omitting or the use of
incomplete sentences
Countermeasures
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Before translating, we should
identify which is primary and
which is secondary topic to
decide on the manner and style of
expression.
Reflect the features of SL sentences
in TL text.
Apply the translation methods
flexibly to cater for the needs of
different texts.
---Dr. White. It is a pleasure to be
back out here with you again. I have
often wondered why you come out
here in the country. You have only
had a telephone put in recently, and
have no electricity, but to read by the
kerosene lamps.
----- It is very nice to have you back
with us, Worth. This is, as you know,
a lovely countryside in the first place.
Secondly, my family and I ---- my
wife and two children– have been
out here for vacation for many years.
It is a very nice retreat.
----- Retreat from what?
----- Retreat from the routine of my
medical work back in town.
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-----怀特医生，我很高兴又回到你的
身边。我一个人常常在想你为什么到
乡下来。电话是你最近才安装的，电
也没有，只好借煤油灯读书。
----- 沃斯， 你又回来跟我们在一起，
实在太好了。关于我到乡下来的原因，
首先，正如你所知，这是一个可爱的
地方；其次，我和我的家室---- 妻子
和两个孩子---- 多年来都来此度假。
这是一个很难得的隐蔽地。
------ 隐蔽什么？
-----隐蔽城里的日常医疗业务呀！
Other Requirements for the
Translation
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The effect of non-linguistic
factors
gestures, the surroundings in which
the conversation takes place
The identity of & the relation
between the speaker(s)
The tone of the speakers
---- feelings,emotion and attitude of
the speakers
See Pages192, 193 ,195(二）
The Cooperative Principle in
Conversational English
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American linguist H. P. Grice
格赖斯 ,1967
To guarantee the smooth
going on of the conversation,
the parties in the
conversation must obey some
basic rules ----cooperative
principle.
4 Maxims:(准则)
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Quantity: 量的准则
Quality: 质的准则
Relation : 关系准则
Manner: 方式准则
4 Maxims of CP
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1. Quantity: 量的准则
a: Make your contribution as
informative as is required (for the
current purpose of the exchange)
所说的话应包含交谈目的所需要的信
息;
b: Do not make your contribution
more informative than is required.
所说的话不应包含超出需要的信息
4 Maxims of CP
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2. Quality: Try to make your
contribution one that is true.质的
准则
A: Do not say what you believe
to be false
不要说自知是虚假的话
B: Do not say that for which you
lack adequate evidence
不要说缺乏足够证据的话
4 Maxims of CP
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3. Relation : Be relevant. 关系准则：
要有关联
4. Manner: Be perspicuous 方式准则：
（清楚、明白）
A: avoid obscurity of expression 避免
晦涩；
B: avoid ambiguity 避免歧义；
C: be brief 简练
D: be orderly 井井有条；
Sample Conversation
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Which maxim do they violate?
1.
A: Thank you very much for
what you have done for me.
B: Not at all. This is the least I
could do.
Quality Maxim (Polite)
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2. A: Does your dog bite?
B: No. ( a dog was in front of
her )
A: Ouch! Hey! You said your
dog doesn’t bite.
B: He doesn’t. But that is not
my dog.
Quantity Maxim
----You got a rich uncle?
----My father.
----Father?
----The hardware is Papa’s.
----It can’t be. Not that whole huge
shop.
----It’s more than twice as large as it
used to be. They moved here three
years ago.
----You’re pulling my leg. Jack, tell
me it ain’t true.
----It’s true.
Quantity Maxim
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---Why don’t you believe in me?
---You’ve stolen my question.
---What do you mean?
---It’s as plain as your nose in
your face.
Relation Maxim
Measures
￭follow
the
cooperative
principle
￭ keep the use of the violation
technique but the translation
must be intelligible.
￭ figure out the meaning
between the lines, behind the
lines or beyond the lines
Sample Scripted Conversation