Translations And Explanations Of New Words In Chinese Textbooks For Foreigners

With the development of China’s economy and the promotion of international status, Chinese as a popular language is gradually warming up in the world. More and more people are learning Chinese, which gives us lots of challenges to teaching Chinese as a foreign language. In foreign language teaching, vocabulary teaching is a very important part. English translation of new words in the textbook can help learners understand and grasp the new words’ meaning. In the current teaching materials of Teaching Chinese as a foreign language in the elementary course, Chinese new words are usually translated in English. Because of the differences between Chinese and English, such as lexical semantic, grammatical and pragmatic differences and different cultural backgrounds, there are great challenges about the English translation of new words in Chinese textbooks. How to translate new words in English, how to convey the current Chinese meaning are very important for compilers and teachers. Under these circumstances, how to use the translations and teaching skills in class, has become an important skill for Chinese teachers.In the Chapter One, I firstly introduce why I choose this topic to discuss, then I summarize the research results about the English translations of the words in the Chinese Textbooks from theory and practice.In addition, I introduce this paper’s research materials and research methods. The Chapter Two introduce the Chinese word composition and emphasize the words’importance, teaching aim and task. The Chapter Three expounds the aims of translating Chinese new words, and the relationships between vocabulary teaching and English translation of new words. Meanwhile, this part expounds the principles and methods of English translation in Chinese textbook.In the Chapter Four, through the questionnaire investigating the International Education Institute of International Education College of Anhui University and Shanghai International Studies University, we know students’view of the new words translations and explanations, and analyze the effects of English translation of new words to foreign students learning Chinese. Meanwhile, I analyze the translations’ problems in the "Chinese course". The Chapter Five states the reasons of English translation appeared in the "Chinese course". Finally, I put forward some suggestions and instructional strategies according to these errors about translation.