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On Translation Methods Applied In Popular Science Texts Under The Guidance Of Text Typology

Posted on:2015-07-21Degree:MasterType:Thesis
Country:ChinaCandidate:H Y TaoFull Text:PDF
GTID:2285330428998246Subject:Foreign Linguistics and Applied Linguistics
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Just as Peter Newmark says, different text types should employ different translationmethodsμ, the type of text turns out to be an important factor influencing the translator·schoice of translation methods. When translating a popular science text, what translationmethods should we employ? Under the guidance of Peter Newmark·s text typology, thisthesis sets out to probe into such a question in combination with the author·s ownexperience of translating the novel Van Loon’s Geography.Based on Buhler·s theory, Peter Newmark divides the functions of language into threeand then he categorizes texts into three main types: the expressive text type, theinformative text type and the vocative text type. Furthermore, he argues that few texts arepurely expressive, informative or vocative: most include three functions with an emphasison one of the three. Most popular science texts, including Van Loon’s Geography, areinformative texts with a vocative thread running through them. In other words, a popularscience text gives information (about the scientific knowledge) while fulfilling thevocative function by attempting to call on readers to take certain actions. In the process oftranslating a popular science text, the translator should adopt translation methods inaccordance with its informative and vocative functions.The main part of this thesis is allocated to the explanation of Peter Newmark·s texttypology, an introduction to popular science texts and the application of Peter Newmark·stext typology in translating the novel Van Loon’s Geography. After an analysis of the texttype and functions of a popular science text on the basis of Peter Newmark·s text typology,the author points out that while translating a popular science text, the translator is expectedto be reader-oriented, responsible for not only conveying the information of source textscorrectly to target language readers, but also making the translated text comprehensible and acceptable. Then the author finds out a series of translation methods and finally appliesthem in translating Van Loon’s Geography. It is hoped that Peter Newmark·s text typologywill shed some light on the translation study of popular science texts.Nonetheless, the main intentions of this thesis are to stir a debate over the theory oftext typology, to reinvigorate efforts to link theory to practice, and to inject an interest inthe inquiry of popular science texts· translation.
Keywords/Search Tags:Peter Newmark, Text Typology, Popular Science Texts, TranslationMethods, Van Loon’s Geography
PDF Full Text Request
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