A Study Of The English Translation Of Fuzzy Numerals In Sun Zi Bing Fa From The Perspective Of Equivalence Theory

Numerals appear 155 times in Sun Zi Bing Fa and most of them are endowed with particular cultural implications.But research in this field is scanty both in and outside China.Therefore,this thesis focuses on the studies of the English translations of fuzzy numerals in Sun Zi Bing Fa under the guidance of equivalence theory and aims to explore the three questions:1)How many categories can the numerals in Sun Zi Bing Fa be divided into based on different semantic functions?2)What kinds of fuzziness are indicated in such particular numeral phrases as sanjun(??),sanshu(??),jiutian(??)and jiudi(??)?3)What translation methods can be employed for the equivalence of Chinese numerals and English ones?Through research,the author finds that 1)fuzzy numerals in Sun Zi Bing Fa can fall into two categories—precise numerals and fuzzy numerals according to their different semantic functions.Precise numerals can be further classified into three subcategories—calculating,ordering or enumerating and verbalization of nouns.Fuzzy numerals can be further split into approximate numerals and imaginary numerals according to their existence forms,and hyperbole,metonymy and contrast according to their rhetorical functions;2)the fuzziness indicated by sanjun(??),sanshu(??),jiutian(??)jiudi(??)and other numerals is discussed in detail,which lays foundation for the following discussion of the English translation methods of fuzzy numerals in Sun Zi Bing Fa;3)based on the analysis of the four English versionstranslated by Ames,Griffith,Sawyer and Lin,it can be seen that translators often adopt six English translation methods in rendering fuzzy numerals in Sun Zi Bing Fa.When translators regard numerals with precise meanings,formal-equivalence-based methods,like literal translation and part of speech conversion can be employed.When translators think numerals with semantic fuzziness,functional-equivalence-based methods,like omission,addition and revision of fuzzy numerals can be adopted.When there is any uncertainty,the method of annotation can be used.