A Report On Translation Of Ancient History Of The Relations Among The Three East Asian Countries(Excerpts)

Nowadays, regional integration is a tendency around the world and identification is an important prerequisite for regional integration. However, East Asia, especially Northeast Asia lags behind in such a tide. Thus it is very important to learn from history on how to promote the regional integration of East Asia for peaceful development and cooperation.This translation report translates the second chapter “the three East Asian countries in the period of Sui-Tang” of Ancient History of the Relations among the Three East Asian Countries and regards it as the subject of the research so as to discuss the method of translating the historical texts. The text narrates the relations between China, Japan and ancient Korea in Sui-Tang, the zenith of the feudal society, and introduces Japan's envoys to Tang and overseas students. The author starts with an analysis of the language style and features of the text. As a historical text, it boasts a large quantity of culture-loaded words, such as the names of historical figures, places and titles. In terms of sentence structure, it is mixed with long and short sentence. Therefore, the author utilizes the translations methods of literal translation, free translation, adding notes and conversion based on the strategy of domestication and foreignization, so as to increase the readability of the translation on the basis of respect for the original text.This translation report consists of four parts. The first part briefly introduces the translation task, including the background, content and significance of the task. The second part is the description of the translation process which is comprised of the analysis and preparation prior to translating and the proofreading after the translation, including the language style and features of the original text, the search of parallel texts and the production of the term list. The third part is the case analysis of the translation which is divided into two parts, namely the choice of the translation method and the key points and difficulties of the translation. The author chooses domestication and foreignization as the strategy of this translation task based on the language style and features of the original text. Then the author employs literal translation, free translation and conversion under the principle of domestication and concludes from the case analysis that domestication and foreignization are effective in translation historical texts of this type. In the final part of the translation report, the author concludes from three respects and points the shortcomings of the translation, including the linkage of the translation theory with the case study?the accuracy and consistency of the terms and the textual consciousness.This translation is significant in the following respects. Firstly, it has theoretical significance. The translation task explores the translation strategy and method of historical texts under the guidance of domestication and foreignization, and concludes the experience and deficiency from the translation, which could provide reference for the translation of similar texts in the future. Secondly, it also has practical significance. Nowadays, as China rises, more and more neighbor countries are alert to China for the fear that China would, as Japan did in the first half of twentieth century bully the weak even aggregate and launch wars against neighbor countries after it becomes strong. Therefore, it is essential for the East Asian countries to correctly understand the history and relation history of neighbor countries so as to establish a new East Asia of peace, prosperity and mutual benefit.