On Translation Of Chinese Neologisms-A Cross-cultural Perspective

In this thesis the author makes a research into Chinese neologism and its translation from a cross-cultural perspective, quoting abundant examples of new words and expressions added to Chinese over the last two decades. The translation of Chinese neologisms is a bridge for cross-cultural communication and a means of introducing Chinese cultures. However, the Chinese neologisms with specific cultural flavor have become a barrier to Chinese-English translation. Since China's reform and opening-up to the outside world, neologisms mirroring its unique culture are more and more, so it is significant to explore the translation of such words.Vocabulary is the most active component of language. A new product, a new invention, a new song, a new TV play or a new event may add neologisms to its vocabulary. In some sense, neologisms are like a mirror through which people can observe social changes in a country. Likewise, Chinese news neologisms are like a mirror through which foreign audiences may have a view of China's latest situation and development, which will help them understand China better. Therefore, the translation of Chinese news neologisms into English plays quite a significant role in China's external exchanges. Accordingly, with the increasingly frequent exchange between China and foreign countries, the theory as well as the practice of translating this kind of words is becoming more and more important.This thesis, based on the theory and practice and employment of a great number of first-hand examples as a supporting ground for the main arguments of the thesis, makes a scientific and systematic study on the translation of Chinese neologisms into English from the perspectives of linguistics, cross-culture communication, aiming at establishing some translating strategies to solve problems that may arise in the translation of Chinese neologisms.The thesis consists of five parts.Part One is the general introduction of the paper, including the current situation of neologism, the purpose and significance of the research on neologisms, the necessity of translating neologism, the plentiful research achievements on neologism and its translation during the past 20 years, such as dictionaries of new words and phrases and some relevant academic monographs and treatises, the mention of the code switching phenomenon in the utilization of neologism and the translation techniques of neologism.Part Two is about neologism. The writer presents the definition, classification, features and main sources of new words and phrases.Part Three is about the relationship between cross-cultural communication and neologism translation. In this part the author points out the existing problems in the English translation of Chinese neologisms, therefore making it possible to further discuss the possible solutions to these problems.Part Four is the core of this thesis. In this chapter the author explores the general principles for neologism translation and the general techniques of neologism translation.The conclusive part, Part Five, lays stress on four points: (1) The translation of Chinese neologisms involves not only bilingual proficiency but also encyclopedic knowledge, especially bicultural knowledge. So translators should constantly improve their proficiency in both English and Chinese and acquire more cultural knowledge; (2) Translators should not blindly follow others' translation, instead, they should take a critical, analytical and constructive attitude towards the established or Chinese-English dictionary versions; (3) Translators should cultivate an acute cultural awareness in identifying the neologisms and should be very cautious and conscientious in translating them into English; (4) More translation practice is needed so as to further improve their translation techniques, only in this way can translators successfully redisplay the cultural meanings of the Chinese neologisms.