The Application Of Compensation In The Translation Of Biographies Based On Functional Equivalence

Translation is a crucial instrument of language conversion.The loss of information in the original text is inevitable during the process of translation owing to cultural differences,so target readers will encounter obstacles in reading.In recent years,there are more and more studies on translation compensation.By compensating from different aspects,the translated text can express contents,connotations,cultural factors and aesthetic effect of the original text comprehensively.Therefore,compensation is a necessary device to decrease losses and reproduce the original text to the maximum extent.In this English-Chinese translation practice,the author translates Dance of Death: The Life of John Fahey,American Guitarist from the second to the sixth chapters.Nida's functional equivalence theory suggests that translation is not only equivalent to the form,but also to the content.This book includes many names,places,songs a nd terms.If they are translated literally,they will not be understood by people who do not know background information.Thus,the translator is required to make the translated text be equivalent to the source text through compensatory devices.To begin with,the author reviews functional equivalence theory and translation compensation researches proposed by scholars at home and abroad,including definitions and devices of compensation,the relationship between functional equivalence and translation compensation as well as the necessity of compensation.Next,she selects nineteen typical examples from the translation to study the application of compensatory strategies from the aspects of lexis,grammar and culture.Extension,amplification,annotation withi n text,and annotation outside text are specific compensation strategies.Besides,the author also summarizes three principles of compensation.The translation must be coherent and moderate.At the same time,compensation is supposed to tolerate exotic cultures.In a word,based on functional equivalence theory,this report analyzes the application of compensatory strategies in the translation of biography Dance of Death: The life of John Fahey,American guitarist in order to maximize the functional equivalence between the translation and the original text.