Basic methods for Translation
1.直译与死译和硬译/误译
2.意译与乱译乱译和错译
3.避免望文生义
4.异化法和归化法
5.确定词义
I.Define the meaning by its word class;
II.Define the meaning by context;
III.extension of the words.
6.转译法
7.增译法
8.减词法
9.正反译法
I.正译反
II.反译正
10.重复法
11.合译法
I.单句合译
II.主从复合句合译
III.并列复合句的合译
12.分译法 Division
I.单词的分译
II.短语的分译
III.句子的分译
Basic methods for Translation
1.直译(Literal Translation)与死译(Dead Translation) 和 硬译/误译
原文的结构和汉语的结构是一致的，可完全直译。但如果原文结构与汉语不一致，直译就变
成了死译。Eg.
In some automated plants, electronic computers control the entire production line.
在某些自动化工厂，电子计算机控制整个生产线。（直译）
Manganese has the same effect on the strength of steel as silicon.
死译: 锰有同样的影响在强度的钢上像硅。改译：锰像硅一样会影响钢的强度。
Some neologisms(新词）：
English translated literally into Chinese :
knowledge economy 知识经济
peace-keeping operations 维和运动
digital camera 数码相机
netizen 网民
world view 世界观
millennium bug 千年虫
Internet worm 网虫
sex-change operation 变性手术
DINKS (Double income, no kids.) 丁克族（双收入，无子女）
GDP (gross domestic product) 国内生产总值
GNP (Gross National Product) 国民生产总值
Chinese translated literally into E.
一国两制 one country, two systems
厂长负责制 factory director responsibility system
旅游搭台经贸唱戏 with tourism paving the way for economic and trading activities
关系网 network of personal connections
走后门 practise backdoorism
三无产品 unbranded and dateless product by a nameless factory
（三无产品一般是指无生产日期、无质量合格证以及无生产厂家，来路不明的产品。另一种
说法是，三无产品是无生产厂名,二无生产厂址,三无生产卫生许可证编码的产品。）
龙头企业 leading enterprise
经济适用房 residence houses for low-and-medium wage earners
尊师重教 respect teachers and value education
德、智、体、美全面发展
Be all-round in moral, intellectual, physical and aesthetical development
发展是硬道理。Development is the absolute principle.
扶贫 aid the poor
2. 意译(Free Translation)与乱译乱译（random translation）和错译
（mistranslation）
意译指在翻译过程中不拘泥于原文的形式，以表达意义为主。意译强调神似，但不能歪曲原
文，否则便是乱译。Eg
To kill two birds with one stone.
直译：一石二鸟。意译：一举两得，一箭双雕
Translation Practice:
And I do not mistrust the future; I do not fear what is ahead. For our problems are large, but our
heart is larger. Our challenges are great, but our will is greater. And if our flaws are endless. God’s
love is truly boundless.
Literal translation:
而我不是不相信未来；我并害怕即将到的事情。虽然的问题很大，但我们的心更大。我们的
挑战很大，但我们的决心更大。如果我们的缺点是没完没了的，那么，上帝的爱却是真正的
无穷无尽的。
Free translation:
我并非不信任未来； 我并不害怕我们面临的问题。我们的问题很多，但我们的心胸更宽广。
我们面临的挑战很严峻，但我们的决心更大。如果我们的弊病层出不穷的话，那么上帝的爱
更是真正的浩瀚无边的。
3. 避免望文生义
Avoid interpreting the meaning of a word or sentence superficially
The bank is open around (round) the clock.
那家银行24小时营业。
Don’t you know Barry is at home in German?
你不知道巴里精通德语吗？
Jerry became a bench warmer last year.
去年杰里变成了候补球员。
4. 异化法(Foreignization/Alienization)和归化法(Domestication/Adaptation)
君子协定 Gentlemen’s agreement
丘比特之箭 Cupid’s arrow
大棒加胡萝卜 The carrot and the stick
武装到牙齿 Armed to teeth
欧佩克 OPEC=Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries石油输出国组织
亚佩克 APEC=Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation 亚洲太平洋经济合作组织
回到谈判桌上来 Return to the negotiating table
卖点 Selling point
对爆炸负责 Claim responsibility for the explosion
5. 确定词义Defining the meaning of
the words
I. Define the meaning by its word class:
An example: the word “base”v. base on (upon): (usu. Passive) to use particular ideas or facts to
make a decision, do a calculation or develop a theory 把……基于
a. This novel is based on historical facts. 这部小说是以历史事实为根据的。
b. Direct taxation is usually based on income. 直接税通常以收入为依据。
Adj. 1) (literary) without any moral principals; wicked 卑鄙的， 不光彩的
❖
a base motive 卑鄙的动机
2）metal that is not worth a lot of money 便宜的，不纯的， 不值钱的，贱的，
❖
a base metal 贱金属（指铁、铅等）
❖
a base coin (含有贱金属的）假硬币
II. Define the meaning by context
Translation of the word “power”:
magnifying power 放大率
power station 电厂
electric power 电力
the power of speech 语言能力
a political party in power 执政党
an industrial power 工业强国
III extension of the words
Every life has its roses and thorns. 每个人的生活都有甜有苦。
Victory always goes to the strong. 胜利永远属于强者。
I am busy packing my things for the long journey.
我正在忙者为这次旅行打点行装。
There is a mixture of the tiger and the ape in his nature.
他的本性既残暴又狡猾。
Brain drain has been Egypt’s number one concern-----as a matter of fact it has become an
epidemic in that area of the world.
人才外流不仅是埃及的首要问题，而且是世界那个地区很普遍的严重问题。
6. 转译法 Conversion
ExamplesA change of state from a solid to a liquid form requires heat energy.
从固体转变成液体需要热能。（名词变动词）
They were suspicious and resentful of him.
