Language Character Theory And The E-C Translation Of Classic Works

It is true that translation is a cross-linguistic, cross-cultural, cross-social communication. If the possibility of translation is based on the cultural generalities, the limitation of it will lie in cultural particularities. Therefore, more attention should be paid to the great differences between languages and cultures involved in translation.Mr. Gao Jian's language character theory (L- C. T) may be a key to understanding and transcending such linguistic and cultural differences. The fundamental concept of L-C.T. goes as follows: each language has its own character and as such, has no small share in the shaping of a particular tongue, both in translation and writing. But while due care has been given to the latter, the same can hardly be said of the former, for laboring under the weight of the strange original, it is not unlikely that one forgets his duty to both, especially to the language character of the T-L, and so much so that the resultant translation is far from satisfactory. Thus, in translation, target-language-centred approach should be encouraged, that is, the translator should have a thorough comprehension of the language characters of both the source language and target language before he finds the best compatible or fusional point, and then conveys all from the source into the target language, perfect either in content, form, or style.