A Comparative Study Of Two Chinese Translations Of Three Special Linguistic Patterns In Patrick White’s Novels

Patrick White is the first writer who won the Nobel Prize among all the Australian authors, and his novels marked a big turn in Australian literature.There are three special linguistic patterns which help to constitute the outstanding style of White’s novels and they can intensify the theme, depict different characters, and describe mental activity. The dissertation intends to discuss the translation of the three special linguistic patterns.The dissertation is composed of three chapters. Chapter One focused on the short sentences in special patterns which can be specified into three kinds:the first one is short sentences aiming to highlight the characters’ inward world, the second one is elliptical sentences which can emphasize true feelings or characteristics of the hero, and the last one is declarative sentences in which’and’is repeatedly used. These special sentences which contribute to the atmosphere and mental depiction may attract attention. It is believed that the irregular linguistic patterns should be represented well in the Chinese version based on their aesthetic effect.Chapter Two is concerned with the unpunctuated long sentences which consist of three kinds. The first one is used to depict the dreams in which man’s mental work is extremely active, and the sentence order is changed, besides, some necessary parts of a complete sentence are lost. To do some favor to the readers, the way to punctuate these sentences in the Chinese version is recommended. The second one aims to describe the logical psychological activity of characters. Despite the unpunctuated long sentences, readers are able to understand the psychological movement of people due to the inner logic. So the translator may imitate the special sentence pattern of the original text in order to show the liquidity of consciousness. The third one is used in the description of the successive actions which reflects characters are in an urgent mood and should be kept as the original text in the Chinese version.Chapter Three discusses the linguistic hybridity including Australian English dialect and the French in White’s novels. The different pronunciation and irregular grammars help to identify different characters and their various personalities. Meanwhile, the French used by a special heroine also shows her hypocrisy. The English dialect can be represented by the colloquial expression and wrongly written words in Chinese, and the French sentences should be kept in the Chinese version with added comments below.The dissertation intends to prove that there is no unified strategy and methods in translation. Translators should decide how to translate depending on the specific situation. Thus, the author’s writing style may be kept in the Chinese version.