On Text-Typology Of English Version Of Fighting COVID-19:China In Action

In order to share the experience of fighting COVID-19 with the world,it is necessary to analyze the text type of Chinese government’s white paper on the epidemic.Guided by Reiss’ s text typology,the linguistic characteristics of the English version of Fighting COVID-19: China in Action are described at the lexical,syntactic and textual levels with qualitative study,like descriptive and inductive approaches in the thesis.Subsequently,the translation quality of the English version of this white paper are assessed.The research findings are as follows:Firstly,it is found that linguistic characteristics of Fighting COVID-19: China in Action are marked with the frequent use of epidemic-related terminologies and dynamic verbs at lexical level,simple sentences and indicative sentences in passive voice at syntactic level,logical connectors and references at textual level.The standardized,concise,logical and referential expressions are employed to show the focus on the transmission of content or‘topic’ of the white paper.Secondly,as an informative text,the white paper has transmitted the textual information of representing the fact,declaring the opinion and providing the instruction accurately.And to represent the fact means to put the focus on the transmission of original information in a logical,concise and explicit manner without the manifestation of individual emotions or affections;declaring one’s opinion requires translators to focus on the text receivers to help them understand the content of the ST;providing the instruction requires explicit expression to help readers receive instruction better and take expected action.Thirdly,in translation assessment of English version Fighting COVID-19: China in Action,this informative text has the features of objectivity,explicitation,conciseness and logicality.Literal translation and voice conversion from active to passive are adopted to realize the objectivity of the white paper.Paraphrase,amplification and conversion of word order are employed to comply with the explicitation in “plain prose”,and the “conciseness” is realized through conversion of part of speech and omission.Moreover,logicality is realized through adding logical connectors such as conjunctives and adversatives.Hence,as translating such an informative text,the standards of objectivity,explicitation,conciseness and logicality should be conformed to.Based on Reiss’ s text typology,linguistic characteristics,textual information that is conveyed and translation assessment in English version of Fighting COVID-19: China in Action are explored in the research with the expectation to provide reference for translation practice of the white paper with informative function.