A Report On The English-Chinese Translation Of Language Diversity Endangered (Excerpts)

Language is a tool of communication and a carrier of national culture.With the acceleration of globalization,its diversity is gradually decreasing.Saving and protecting endangered languages should become a global consensus.The translation of excellent works of endangered languages can not only help to understand the diversity of history and culture,but also contribute to the research and conservation of endangered languages in our own country.Language Diversity Endangered is a sociolinguistic work by Matthias Brenzinger,a German-born linguist and pioneer in the study of endangered languages.The book consists of seventeen chapters,documenting language endangerment throughout the world.The preface to chapter two are selected as the source text of this translation practice.Based on Peter Newmark’s communicative translation strategy,this report analyzes the problems and solutions to the problems during translation at lexical,syntactical and textual levels respectively.In the process of translation practice,the translator always adheres to the principle of “the effect of the translated information is consistent with the effect of the original information”,and strives to make the translated text clear,smooth and authentic.At the lexical level,the translator makes flexible use of such translation methods as annotation and amplification to deal with the difficulties related to proper nouns and terms.At the syntactical level,translation methods such as division and inversion are applied for passive sentences and complex sentences.At the textual level,cohesion and coherence are emphasized.Although there are some limitations,it is hoped that this translation practice report will provide reference for the translation of similar texts in the future.