A Study Of The Vocabulary Translation Problem In Primary Chinese Textbooks Of Chulalongkorn University In Thailand

In the field of teaching Chinese as a foreign language(TCFL),vocabulary teaching is one of the basic parts of teaching Chinese as a foreign language(TCFL).Normally,the more students understand vocabulary,the better the language level they will have.As a Thai person who studies Chinese,I usually have vocabulary errors in Chinese studying.This study aims to help Thai students understand the meaning and the way of expression of Chinese vocabulary,especially for the primary stage of Chinese studying.This research will study the way of vocabulary translation from Chinese into Thai in Chinese Textbooks for Primary(Volume 1-3)of Chulalongkorn University.Moreover,this research aims to analyze the Chinese to Thai vocabulary translation problem and problem causes in the textbooks.In addition,this study will give some suggestions for solving the problem.The first step of the research will collect the Chinese to Thai translation from chapters 1-13 in Chinese Textbooks for Primary(Volume 1-3)of Chulalongkorn University,then create a table of Chinese to Thai translation vocabulary and translate the Thai translation into Chinese.The study found that the translation methods of Chinese vocabulary are one Chinese vocabulary can translate to one meaning,and one Chinese vocabulary can translate to many meanings.The one Chinese vocabulary that can translate to one meaning is mainly the translation method that appears in the textbooks.In addition,the translation does not only appear in "Thai word" form but also appears in "phrase" form.After study the translation methods of Chinese vocabulary,this research will analyze Chinese to Thai vocabulary translation problem.The study result found four translation problems in the textbook:1.some Thai translations are incorrect;2.some Thai translations are too complicated;3.some lexical categories of Chinese vocabulary are incorrect;and 4.lack of Thai translation.In addition,the study found that the vocabulary translation problems are caused by 1.The differences between Chinese and Thai vocabulary meaning;2.Textbook authors;3.Context in studying chapters.This study also gives suggestions to solve the translation problems such as 1.Thai translation should be correct;2.Thai translation should consider the meaning of vocabulary which appears in the textbook;3.Lexical categories of Chinese vocabulary and textbook context should be the same;4.Do not ignore the translation of vocabulary new meanings.Moreover,this research also attaches the table of vocabulary list that includes the translation problems and solving suggestions.