A Report On E-C Translation Of Elvis' Biography Last Train To Memphis (Extract)

This is a report on Elvis Presley's biography selected from Last Train to Memphis by Peter Guralnick(1943—).It aims to give a detailed description of the whole process and methods in translating biography.Successful translations of biographies put emphasis not only on its dual features but also on the texts' professional areas and background information so as to embody its unique characters and convey information better.Obviously,the translation of biography is quite flexible,thus it is of great significance to delve into the translation of English biography literature.The whole report consists of four parts,namely task description,process description,case analysis and summary.It analyzes some difficulties in the translating from the perspective of communication and semantics and text typology theory.The main body of the translation report is divided into two parts.One is Newmark's translation theory and the translation process guided by the theory;the other is that the author of this thesis shows the differences between the two languages by using a variety of examples because different language styles have different methods for translation.The discussion of translation skills is also divided into two parts.One is the methods of translating phrases and long sentences;the other is the informal styles in translating biography.When translating words and phrases,we may make the translated version more idiomatic and readable;when translating long sentences,we may break long sentences into shorter ones,retain long sentences,or change the order of long sentences so as to simplify and refine the translation version.The author of this thesis uses a variety of examples to show that words are more informal and concise in the translated version.The diction ought to be vivid,fascinating and easy to understand in translating biography.Besides,the translator intends to offer some enlightenment for the future translation practice through this translation task.Translating is never an easy word-for-word mechanical activity;rather,it is closely related to the original,the audience and cultural background.Moreover,this report may also serve as a precedent for the author's later translation practice.