A Report On The E-C Translation Of Literary Theory(Excerpts) Guided By Translation Shifts Theory

Since the 1980s,the introduction of Western literary theories in considerable numbers promotes the enrichment and prosperity of Chinese literary theories.Versions of Western literary theories,as a medium of communication between Chinese and Western literary theories,play an important role.Nevertheless,the Chinese versions of Western literary theories are still relatively inadequate in China.Against the backdrop,the translation of academic texts into Chinese has attracted growing attention from the translation community.Therefore,the fifth chapter of the book Literary Theory is selected as the translation material,and the problems encountered during the translation are addressed under the guidance of Catford’s Translation Shifts Theory.According to Catford’s Translation Shifts Theory,translation shifts are applicable to informative texts.“Shifts” mean departures from formal correspondence in the process of going from the SL to the TL to achieve textual equivalence.This translation project is conducted under the guidance of Translation Shifts Theory,and the translation problems have been dealt with thereafter.In terms of structure shifts,by adapting to conventional expressions of the target language,passive voice is converted into active voice,and the translated text is easier for the target readers to understand.By converting affirmative structure into negative structure,the mistranslation of the source language is avoided and the information is transmitted accurately.In terms of class shifts,the conversion of nouns into verbs and of adjectives into verbs makes the otherwise awkward expressions smooth and natural.In terms of unit shifts,the shift from phrases into clauses renders the rich information loaded in phrases clearly and fully expressed.By converting clauses into independent sentences,the sentences are shortened,the meaning is clarified,and the burden on the part of the target readers is lightened.This report summarizes the typical problems encountered during the translation process and proposes the shift methods as an attempt to benefit E-C translators of academic texts.