Reflections On The Contrast Between Chinese And Western Translation Theories

After translation was descended to be a sub-discipline of applied linguistics, many scholars in Chinese translation circle become more doubtful of the effort to establish translatology, and many scholars have started a new round of discussion on some basic translation issues. Chinese translation circle is facing a very embarrassing situation: on the one hand, some scholars complain that translation is in a low position, and is not highly valued, but on the other hand, they always underestimate translation research, let alone translation theory research, they just do not understand that only through real academic translation research and rigorous translation theory elucidation, can the nature of translation be really known and understood, and only in this way, will translation be fully valued and gain its position(Xie Tianzhen,2001:2).Focusing on the present situation in translation, this thesis makes a general introduction and analysis of Qian Zhongshu's and Newmark's translation theories first, then analyses the differences between Chinese and western translation theories and their origins from the perspectives of different thinking patterns, cultures and philosophical traditions. Based on these analyses, the thesis points out that western strict methodology tends to emphasize objective observation, accurate description and quantitative to qualitative analysis. While Chinese philosophical tradition does not care a lot about detailed description, but value the psychological reaction very much in observing the world. In the aspect of thinking pattern, easterners tend to value synthesis, while westerners think highly of logical analysis.Most of Chinese traditional theories are summaries of translation experiences from translators, some of which are objective principles, but most of which are subjective feelings, that is to say, Chinese traditional translation theory, according to dialectic theory of knowledge, is still in the period of perceptual knowledge, western translation theory, however, is developing from scattered theory to systematic theories. So we can say that, western translation theory, to a large extent, has elevated from perceptual knowledge to rational knowledge. The thesis also analyses the relationship between translation practice and translation theory. It points out that history has made the division of labor between translators and translation theorists. Well-translated works are the goals and task of translators. Translation theorists can draw inspiration from translators' translation experiences, and their theory can serve as theoretical reference for translators. In this way, a beneficial interaction instead of blind of opposition can be established. As we know that there are two approaches to acquire knowledge, namely, direct experience and indirect experience. Translation theorists' researches can be carried out based on translators' practical experience (that is, on indirect experience), and in this way, translation theorists can find some systematic, scientific and creative theories. Owing to the influence of different thinking patterns, cultures and philosophies, both Chinese and western translation theories have their own merits and demerits; therefore, they should learn each other's strong points to offset its own weakness. Due to the present situation that Chinese translation faces, Chinese translation theory should learn something beneficial from western translation theory for our translatology development. During the last ten years of 20th century, Chinese translation theory had made remarkable progress, some people say that the 20th century is the century of translation, and the 21st century is the one of translation theory research. We fully believe that our translation theory researches will make greater progress and obtain more significant achievements (Guo Jianzhong, 2000: 263). What we need to do is to clear away obstacles, and take concerted efforts for the development of translatology. To be concrete, we need, based on Chinese traditional translation the...