Translation Methods On Passive Sentences In E-C Sight Translation

The translation of passive sentences attracts much attention of scholars in translation field and the research on it is mainly focused on written translation rather than sight translation. Due to cultural differences between English and Chinese, the usage of passive sentences in Chinese is much less than that usage in English. The application of English passive sentences is wide from non-agentful passive construction to circumstances which require coherent of context and so on. In contrast, Chinese passive sentences are more flexible in expression than English passive constructions.Sight translation as a special mode of interpreting refers to both input of visual information and output of verbal information. The process of sight translation including the following steps:dividing the meaning units of source language、understanding the meaning units, transformation between the languages and verbal output of the target language. Problems are likely to occur in each of the above step. As passive sentences are common and there are different structures and expressions in both clauses and main clauses, difficulties also occur in the procession. Moreover, the time limitation of sight translation, which requires quick and accurate output of target language, also increased the difficulty of interpreting process. Due to the special structure of passive sentences, we should totally grasp the characteristics of passive sentences and understand the passive sentences translation principle so that it can help interpreters achieve better translation.This paper attempts to explore the methods of interpretation of passive sentences in the sight translation of speeches delivered by the British officials through a comparison between Chinese and English passive sentences and expressions. Based on detailed analysis of the interpretation context of sigh translation, this thesis explores difficulties and problems and provides effective translation methods of and principles for the interpretation of passive sentences in sight translation so as to offer suggestions on interpreting teaching and practicing.