The Information-theoretical Approach To C-E Translation Of Tourist Literature

Information theory is a branch of science associated with research into information-processing and information conveyance. It not only studies the expression and conversion of information, but also ways of sending information and those of information-processing, etc. Translation is an activity of inter-linguistic communication and a complex process of linguistic transference and information conveyance. Therefore, basic principles of the information theory are applicable to the process of translation. Information compression, decompression and dispersion of the information theory serve to interpret the selection of translation strategies, offering a new channel for understanding such translation strategies as addition, ellipsis, transference and explanation in C-E translation.Each social group has its unique culture, linguistic features and thought modes, hence leading to different amounts of redundancy and information dispersion in C-E translation of tourist literature. Therefore, only by adopting some measures in the course of translation, can the translator aptly convey the information of the original to the target readers. According to the text type theory, tourist literature is aimed at conveying information, hence belonging to informative text. So, infonnation theory serves to interpret the translation of tourist literature. The significance of this research lies in enhancing the quality of translating tourist literature of our country and providing a new perspective and standard of evaluation for translating tourist literature as practicable texts. It is conducive to guiding translation strategies and making a breakthrough into translation strategies confined to the field of linguistics. The thesis is divided into six parts.Chapter one firstly introduces purpose and significance of the present study as well as the structure of the paper. Then it introduces research questions and method. Chapter two makes literature review. It firstly introduces definition and functions of tourist literature and points out that tourist literature is informative text with vocative function. Then it makes a review of researches on tourist literature translation at home and abroad. Chapter three introduces theoretical framework. In this chapter the definition of information theory is introduced and it is clearly stated that communication system mode can be employed to explain information transmission in the process of translation. Then features of information transmission i.e. compression, decompression and dispersion of information are described and embodied in translation. Also discussed in the chapter is the influence of redundancy on information transmission in translation. Chapter four analyzes differences of cultures, thought modes and language features between West and East in tourism. It states the differences cause unbalanced redundancy and dispersion of information. Chapter five discusses the interpretation to the selection of translation strategies from the perspective of information theory. The author has collected some examples from tourist literature and analyzed these examples in great detail. The chapter explains how compression and decompression of information help offer interpretation to the translation of tourist literature through the strategies of ellipsis and addition. The chapter explains how dispersion of information helps offer interpretation to the translation strategies of transference, or explanation. Chapter six presents the result, limitation of this research and future suggestions for it.Through analysis and discussion of translation examples chosen in the thesis, the research has arrived at three findings as follows:(1) Information theory not only studies the expression and conversion of information, but also ways of sending information and those of information-processing, etc. Its aim is to overcome all kinds of noise from the outside and inside of the communication system in order to transmit information exactly. Translation is an activity of inter-linguistic communication and a complex process of linguistic transference and information conveyance. In the process of translation, in order to exactly transmit the original information, a translator must select appropriate translation strategies to overcome all kinds of barriers caused by different cultures, thought modes and languages so that successful communication can be achieved. Because both information transmission and translation process aim at exact transmission of information by selecting appropriate measures to deal with information, information theory helps interpret the selection of translation strategies of tourist literature.(2) Information compression and decompression are actually different ways of dealing with redundancy. Compression of information i.e. reducing redundancy helps interpret the translator to adopt the translation strategy of ellipsis. Decompression of information i.e. increasing redundancy helps interpret the translator to adopt the translation strategy of addition.(3) Information dispersion means that loss and deviation of the original information in the process of information conveyance are inevitable. Therefore, it helps interpret why the translator adopts such flexible strategies as transference and explanation to represent the information of the original as much as possible.Thus the interpretation of information theory to the selection of translation strategies of tourist literature is not only feasible, but also scientific and systematic. It is of positive significance to enriching modern theories of translation.