A Study On Translation About Wars

This report mainly focuses on dealing with delicate parts in the translation of non-fiction books about wars.The author of this report translated Part Five to Part Fourteen of Now Thrive the Armourers written by Robert O.Holles,who had served in Korea as an armourer sergeant with the first battalion of the Gloucestershire Regiment.The book portrays activities in Korean War from the standpoint of western people so that Chinese people do not entirely accept some of the author's views on the war.This report specifically discusses how to deal with the delicate parts and solve other problems faced in the translation process.Instead of translating the delicate parts without polishing,the translator is determined to accommodate the horizon of expectation of target readers.The phrase "horizon of expectation" was proposed by a German academic Hans Robert Jauss in his Reception theory.He defined it as "the structure by which a person comprehends,decodes and appraises any text based on cultural codes and conventions in particular to their time in history."(Jauss,1982)On the basis of his theory,the author of this report insists that a translator should regard readers as significant elements when processing texts,as has been described by Jauss:"a literal work is not an object which stands by itself and which offers the same face to each reader in each period."(Jauss,1982)Thus,the strategies to translate the delicate parts are based upon coherent theories.In addition,translated in accordance with this theory,the target text will appear to be more acceptable.By writing this report,the author intends to inspire those who want to translate other non-fiction books about wars.Immersed in texts,target readers will bring their own cultural backgrounds.Therefore,on top of studying source texts,translators are also suggested to take target readers into consideration.By doing so,when target texts alert readers' memories,target readers will be more comfortable about the relatives,friends and comrades of those killed and missing in wars.