A Study Of Thematic Progression In EST Texts And Its Translation Strategies

The present study is intended to analyze the text features of English for Science andTechnology (EST) from the perspective of thematic progression and then put forwardcorresponding translation strategies for the TP patterns used in EST texts. The thesis isproposed mainly on the theoretical basis of Halliday’s theme theory and the thematicprogression patterns put forward by Danes, indicating that TP patterns possess specialadvantages in EST text analysis and translation (Li Huihui,2010:72-74). As we all know,thematic progression is a useful approach to text analysis, and TP patterns are an effectiveway to realize textual coherence and cohesion (Gu Minghua,1996:9-12). Therefore, theanalysis of TP patterns in EST texts is very conductive to understanding the textualmechanism of EST, the analysis of which will further facilitate the translation (ChengXiaotang,2005:270). The thesis adopts the research methods of combining the theory withpractice, and a contrastive analysis of English and Chinese in terms of text features and TPpatterns.Originally,the unit of translation was limited to words, phrases and sentences at most.However,since the establishment of Halliday’s functional grammar in1976, a new approachof text analysis has found its wide applications in various aspects, translation studies inparticular. With the development of textual linguistics, many scholars at home and abroadhave attempted to provide a new perspective for translation theory and practice via the textanalysis. In this case, the thematic progression presenting the textual structure needs to beconsidered,foreach text can be seenas a sequence of themes.Along with the growing importanceof EST texts and translation, the study of EST textshas undergonea dramatic change from traditional emphasis on technicalwords and grammarto the analysis of texts, the approach to seeing both “trees and forests”. As a result, theanalysisof thematic progression and TP patterns used in EST,the approach to seeing overallpicture,is very conductive to understanding the style of writing and shedding some light ontheESTtranslation. In order to achieve the purpose, theauthor is intended to develop the thesis according tothefollowing layout.Tobegin with, thethesis will carry out an overallreview of text analysis,previous research on theme-rheme theory and thematic progression in order to familiarizereaders with the background theories. Next the thesis will list out an expounded analysis ofthematicprogression patterns in EST texts on the basis of the textual features analysisof EST.Till now,since the readers must have held in mind an overall picture of TP patterns in ESTtexts, it is essential to carry out a contrastive analysisbetween Chinese and English in termsof ESTtext features so as toprovide the reasons behind choice of TP patterns.The similaritiesand differences of Chinese and English in text features and TP patterns in discussion willprovide some enlightenment for the EST text translation. Therefore, taking these implicationsinto consideration, the thesis will put forward relevant translation strategies according todifferentTPpatterns used in EST texts,whichis alsothe shiningpoint of the thesis.It is shown in the thesis that the analysisof TP patterns in EST texts is very contributivetothe EST translation. Withthe elaboration on thematicprogression, TPpatterns inEST texts,and a tentative study of corresponding translation strategies of EST texts based on thematicprogression analysis, the thesis has established an alternative way of deciphering the ESTtexts and EST translation. Proper preservation and adjustment of TP patterns of EST texts inrendering can overcome the translation obstacles caused by different theme-rhemeprogression, achieving the cohesion and coherence of the translated texts. Through acomprehensive analysis, the thesis has widened the application of TP patterns to thetranslation practice. Moreover, it has also offered a new perspective on translation teachingandtranslationcriticism.