A Semantic Reflection Upon Translation Equivalence

Translation is a new discipline that needs to draw on findings and theories of other related disciplines in order to develop and formalize its own methods. One major characteristic of modem translation studies is introducing linguistic theories into the field of translation. Translation theoreticians are, from different linguistic angles, trying to put new meaning and contents into translation theories. They have advanced new research methods, theoretical models and translation techniques. Semantics is one part of the linguistic translation approach. Representatives, such as E. Nida, J. Catford, N.C. Bapxynapob, have presented their valuable arguments. In China, translation theoreticians, such as Ke Ping, also did conscientious work on the relations of semantics and translation. However, translation, like other developing disciplines, is an open-ended subject. Further efforts are needed to construct an independent translation science. Translating Consists in reproducing in the receptor language the closest natural equivalent of the source language message, first in terms of meaning, and secondly in terms of style. It's generally agreed that meaning is of the first importance in translation and the task of a translator is to express the original meanings of the source text in another language. However, in the process of translation, the replacement of different language systems will inevitably cause the loss of meanings. To minimize the loss and to achieve maximum equivalence is the objective many translators pursue. Equivalence is not an absolute idea but a relative one. All translations can not but be an approximate value. Translators should determine what should be preserved and what could be sacrificed in translation. Generally speaking, the order of priority in conveying is designative meaning, pragmatic meaning and connotative meaning. However, sometimes the order has to be abandoned according to specific speech styles. Translation process may be put into two steps: understanding (analyzing) and conveying ( synthesizing). The first step is to understand the meanings of the source text; the second step is to convey the original meanings in another language. In the second step, a great deal of complex shifts are necessary because the forms and semantic structures of the two languages are different. Since any language shift can cause loss in message, translators have to restrict the use of it. Translation equivalence requires conveying all the meanings contained in the source text to a maximum extent. Meanings (contents) are in the first place. Therefore the representation forms have to be subject to the contents. Translation is a complex and fascinating task. It's hard to include all its aspects into one research model. Semantics is also a developing discipline whose growth and improvement surely will give impetus to the construction of translation, so do other related disciplines. The more different and original theories appear, the fUrther translation studies will go. There are four parts in this thesis. The first part discusses the nature of translation; the second part introduces translation equivalence theories; the third part expounds basic theories of semantics; the fourth part deals with the process of translation in a semantic model. The purpose of the thesis is to provide a theoretical reference from a semantic perspective to understand the nature of translation and to direct translation process in order to achieve maximum equivale...