On E-C Translation Of Est Abbreviations From The Perspective Of Cognitive Context

Abbreviation is a result of human civilization. The functions of abbreviations are great for English for Science and Technology (EST) which emphasizes conciseness and accuracy. In the process of translating EST texts, it is tough for the translator to master the connotation of abbreviations because of their special meaning, diversification in form, and up-to-date usages. Therefore it is necessary for the translator to grasp E-C translation skills of EST abbreviations in order to translate EST texts accurately.Dan Sperber and Deirdre Wilson’ researches about cognitive context provide a theoretical foundation for the comprehension of human communication. Cognitive context believes that different people have different cognitive contexts. It is through "mutual manifestness", mutual cognition and inference that the communicators produce on facts or assumptions in their cognitive context, that people can achieve mutual communication and understanding. However, studies applying cognitive context to E-C translation of EST abbreviations are not that many. The author attempts to reveal the importance of cognitive context in E-C translation of EST abbreviations. This thesis tries to find answers for the following questions.1). How much does the understanding of EST abbreviations depend on cognitive context?2). To what extent and how does cognitive context influence E-C translation of EST abbreviations?3). Because EST abbreviations are highly concentrated, how to translate them concisely and accurately?To answer the three questions above, the thesis employs document analysis and case analysis. Materials of document are mainly from books, papers and CNKI (China National Knowledge Internet). The author conducts analysis of cognitive context to summarize its features and functions based on these materials. And then, the author searches a great number of EST abbreviations and their E-C translations. Through case analysis, the author shows the special functions of cognitive context in the E-C translation of EST abbreviations.The study manifests that cognitive context plays a great role in E-C translation of EST abbreviations. Relevant cognitive context can help translator exclude interferential information and make the translation of EST abbreviations more exact and appropriate, while the irrelevant cognitive context hinders the translation. The translator has to do further analysis of EST abbreviations and their translations on the basis of relevant technological knowledge, and translates EST abbreviations accordingly as they change and develop with the times. This thesis provides a relatively overall theoretical perspective for studies on E-C translation of highly condensed and changeable EST abbreviations. It is of some practical significance for the translation of English abbreviations.