An E-C Translation Report On Theories In Second Language Acquisition(Chapter1-2) From The Perspective Of Functional Equivalence Theory

The source text of the translation report is the second edition of Theories in Second Language Acquisition(excerpts),which presents the major theories used in second language acquisition(SLA)research.It is a theoretical guide book on second language acquisition,second or foreign language teaching and research.The book Theories in Second Language Acquisition has thirteen chapters.Apart from the the first and second chapters,each chapter focuses on a single theory about SLA written by a leading scholar in the field,including a basic description of the theory,relevant data or research models used with the theory,common misconceptions,and sample studies from the field to demonstrate the theory into practice.The source text is a good learning material for students who seek a basic understanding of theories that underline contemporary SLA research.Because the book has the great theoretical guiding significance for the study of second language acquisition in China,and there is no complete Chinese translation of this book so far,the writer chose the book as the source text for the translation task.According to the requirements on the amount of translation for MTI students,the writer selected the preface,Chapter 1 and 2 as the translation task.As we know,the preface is usually about the main idea and general content of a book,so the translation is important and helpful to readers.The first chapter is about the nature of theories,which presents a set of statements about a theory that explain why natural phenomena occur the way they do.The second chapter comes to the discussion of early theories in SLA,such as the structural-behaviorist approach and Stephen Krashen’s monitor theory.In the translation study,the writer use Eugene A.Nida’s functional equivalence theory as the guiding theory.This translation theory emphasizes the concepts of function and dynamics in translation.Considering that the source text belongs to academic theoretical books,the writer adopt the non-literary translation criteria in translation,partially along with literary translation.Non-literary translation emphasizes facts and pays more attention to the functionality of the text;at the same time,it emphasizes the accuracy and clarity of information.The concept of functional equivalence translation is not a rigid correspondence of the text content,but the target language conforms to the semantics of the source text and reflects the characteristics of the source text,reduces cultural differences,and achieves functional equivalence.Based on the understanding of Nida’s functional equivalence theory,translation strategies and methods are considered at the three levels of lexicon,syntax and text.At the lexical level,the strategies and methods of literal translation with annotation,free translation and even zero translation are employed in translation and case analysis.At the syntactical level,the strategies and methods of free translation,division,reconstruction,and conversion,were used to translate passive and active voice,and various clauses.At the textual level,translation strategies and methods was determined on the choice of word,the transformation of sentences and rhetorical uses from the two aspects of linguistic and cultural contexts.