Literal translation is a good choice to translate lively and closely. It retains the idea, style, and rhetoric of the original text. However, literal translation is not word-for-word translation (Yuan, 2013). Sometimes, translators should make some changes in translation so that the translation is more acceptable. Some sentences, if used literally, would not be in accordance with the culture of the target language. Especially for some idioms, translators should have extensive knowledge and comprehend the original language thoroughly, especially in translating professional materials.
Example: You must pay with exact change by depositing coins or inserting $1 bills into the fare box at the front of the bus or streetcar.
Translation: The passenger must pay for the ticket with exact change by depositing coins or inserting $1 bills into the fare box at the front of the bus or streetcar.
In this example, the author simply translated the entire sentence in the original sentence’s word order, but “you” isn’t translated as a “personal pronoun.” For the entire text, “you” is not a specific reference, but a general reference. Therefore, translation into “the passenger” could express information more directly and make the target language reader feel more amiable.
Adding
English expression is quite concise, and some language components are sometimes omitted. When doing E-C translation, we should add the omitted component so as to make the original text’s information clearer to the target language reader. Sometimes, the translation reads more coherently and fluently.
Example: The “Cemeteries” branch (daily, 5 A.M. – 3 A.M.) runs from the foot of Canal Street, not far from the ferry terminal for Algiers Point, all the way up to the historic cemeteries along City Park Avenue. The “City Park/Museum” branch (daily, 7 A.M. – 2 A.M.) takes North Carrollton Avenue to Esplanade Avenue, right beside City Park and the New Orleans Museum of Art.
In this example, there are two points of time expression: “daily, 5 A.M. – 3 A.M.” and “daily, 7 A.M. – 2 A.M..” When translating, the author adds “次日, the second day” before “3 A.M.” and “2 A.M.”. By adding these words, it makes the time information extremely clear to Chinese.
Division
Long sentences are usually used in English to express complicated contents, while in Chinese short sentences are commonly used to express points, briefly and clearly. Therefore, in E-C translation, sometimes we divide the long sentences into shorter sentences. Thus, the target language readers could easily and clearly get the information of the source text.
Example: This is the sort of city where it’s easy to lose track of time, particularly if you’re bar-hopping, so it’s always a smart idea to have the name and number of at least a couple of cab companies with you at all times.
Translation: This is an easy-to-lose-track-of-time city, particularly if you’re bar-hopping, so it’s always a smart idea to have the name and number of at least a couple of cab companies with you at all times.
In this example, in translation, the original sentence was divided into two. Meanwhile, word order was changed. According to Chinese language habits, the attributive clause “where it’s easy to lose track of time” was placed before the noun “city.” Obviously, the translation reads more smoothly.
Conversion
There are many differences between English and Chinese expressions. Sometimes, it’s necessary to change the way of expression to make the translation read more coincident with the speaking habits of target language readers. Conversion is the usual method for this. In E-C translation, one part of speech can be changed into another without changing the original contents.
Example One: For maps and schedules of all three streetcar lines, visit the RTA websites. Translation: If you need maps and schedules of all three streetcar lines, visit the RTA websites.
Example Two: New Orleans has always been a big city with small-town sensibilities. Translation: New Orleans has always been a big city but having small-town sensibilities.
For these two examples, the prepositional phrases “For maps and schedules of all three streetcar lines” and “with small-town sensibilities” are changed into verb phrases. Generally, prepositions are commonly used in English, while Chinese are used to using verbs.
Generally speaking, when we translate travel guides, we should not only be loyal to the original text but also to meeting the needs of the target language readers. Therefore, only under the guidance of proper translation theory and adopting diverse translation strategies and methods, can the translation text satisfy the needs of the target language travelers.
Conclusion
In conclusion, tourism translation is an integral part of translation activities and cultural lives. Like other translations, tourism translation involves transformation standards and translation strategies of language and culture; it calls for the translator to be equipped with good translation skills. If it is of good translation quality, it will help visitors learn the natural landscape, human geography and basic local information well, and it will appropriately arouse their desire to travel and will deliver the proper information to them. If not, it will damage the tourists’ interests and may even bring some trouble to their traveling plans, and, finally, it could affect the development of tourism culture.
Acknowledgment
I am deeply indebted to my supervisor, Professor Wang Jinti, for his great kindness, never-ending patience, valuable and insightful suggestions, meticulous corrections, and constant encouragements. My thanks also go to all the professors, teachers and classmates who have taught and helped me. Thanks also to the experts who have reviewed my thesis. I have really benefited from their inspiring lectures and suggestions.
References
Nord, C. (1997).Translating as a purposeful activity. United Kingdom: St. Jerome Publishing.
Li, M. (2007). Chinese-English translation for international business. Beijing: Higher Education Press. Newmark, P. (2001). A textbook of translation. Shanghai: Foreign Language Education Press.