A Study Of The C-E Text Translation Strategies In Computer-Aided Translation

Text translation is a process from the comprehension of the source language text to the reconstruction of the target language text. Different from the traditional translation, text translation no longer confines itself to the study of linguistic form, but rather relates to the unity of text and context. Computer-aided translation(CAT) technology is a great help for text translation nowadays, but as an important component of CAT, machine translation(MT) often adopts sentence-based segmentation. Therefore, translators are more likely to operate with isolated words and sentences, which inevitably involves a risk of making translators oblivious to the unity of both SL and TL texts.This thesis holds that Adaptation Theory proposed by Verschueren(2000) provides an important theoretical foundation for the computer-aided text translation. According to Adaptation Theory, language use is a process of constant choice-making. The reasons lie in the properties of language, i.e. variability, negotiability and adaptability. As a pragmatic phenomenon, the computer-aided text translation in essence is also a constant process of making linguistic choices in order to achieve the aim of adaptation.In the light of Adaptation Theory, this thesis attempts to describe and make a tentative analysis of an organized CAT practice, aiming at presenting translators’ selection of CAT tools, generalizing the basic CAT process, and exploring the text translation strategies and methods, as well as characteristics shown during the choice-making process. In this CAT practice, the participants are 30 postgraduates of English major who have studied the CAT course in NUAA. They are required to undertake a C-E text translation task about 816 words with the help of CAT tools. All the participants’ operations on the computer screens are recorded by the software called Screen-Recording Expert.Combined with the screen videos and translated texts, the study presents the basic information of different participants’ use of CAT tools and the general C-E text translation process, which reflects the feature of dynamic adaptability. Most participants are able to use different kinds of CAT tools to optimize the translation process. It also shows that GTT and Transmate are more attractive than SDL Trados to the student translators. What’s more, as can be seen in the practice, textual adaptation strategy penetrates the translation process. Based on the general CAT process and the translated texts, this thesis concludes ten computer-aided C-E text translation methods, namely, uploading TM & terminology database, pre-editing, correction of MT output, amplification, logic reshuffling, inversion, perspective change, literal translation, free translation and online searching. Every translator’s choice-making of translation methods during CAT process reflects the characteristics of subjectivity and nonlinearity.This study has both theoretical and practical significance. In theory, the application of Adaptation Theory to the computer-aided C-E text translation deepens and complements translation theories. In practice, it sheds light on the CAT teaching and learning.