A Probe Into E-C Translation Strategies And Approaches Of Biography Translation Under The Guidance Of Cognitive Integration Theory

Biography translation bridges the gap between countries with different languages, customs, ways of thinking and cultural differences. Current researches concerning biography translation primarily focus on the information conveyed in words or sentences, giving undue consideration to the discoursal or cultural aspect of biography translation.As biography transmits both historical and cultural messages, the translator must take both factors into account in order to produce a smooth and readable version. Cognitive Integration Theory, a theory that focuses on meaning configuration and information integration, takes Four Spaces as its core, as it focuses on translator’s cognition, which does not simply lie in the text conversion. This theory, in biography translation, also involves the integration of information on the levels of semantics, discourse and culture.Based on the translation practice of Twenty-Eight Artists and Two Saints, this paper explains the selection and application of various translation strategies and approaches in biography translation by following the Cognitive Integration Theory.Corresponding to the two major modes of integration, namely Single-Scope Integration and Double-Scope Integration, the translation strategies can roughly be divided into three categories:foreignization, domestication and the combination of foreignization and domestication. Transliteration and word-for-word translation are the two techniques based on the strategy of foreignization to preserve the flavor of the source language. Liberal translation, imitation, division and conversion are the techniques based on the strategy of domestication to cater to the readers of the target language. In some situations, the strategies of foreignization and domestication should be combined, resulting in the translation technique of clarification.The study finds that the Cognitive Integration Theory can be applied to the selection and application of strategies and techniques to deal with the difficult points in biography translation:source language orientation, target language orientation or both. A translator can flexibly choose the appropriate strategies and techniques to produce a smooth translation that enables the target-language readers to gain a good understanding of the works, and more importantly, to enjoy the exotic flavor of foreign biography.