Chinese—English Translation of Tourist Texts from an Intercultural Perspective

龙源期刊网 https://www.sodocs.net/doc/1a10008388.html,

Chinese—English Translation of Tourist Texts from an Intercultural Perspective

作者：PANG Na-min CHAI Fang-zhao

来源：《科技视界》2014年第19期

【Abstract】The author compares Chinese and western language features in tourist texts，shares four strategies in translating Chinese tourist texts， and calls on building a corpus for Chinese-English translation of tourist texts.

【Key words】Chinese-English translation；Tourist texts； Language features； Cultures

1 Introduction

China is famous for its long history，splendid civilization， spectacular natural scenic sites and multi-ethnic folk cultures. Many intercultural tourists traveled to China， especially most from western countries. However，it hinders Chinese international tourism that Chinese-English translation of tourist texts has been too poorly done to meet foreign tourists’ needs. Therefore， this becomes the central topic of this thesis.

2 Comparison of Language Features in Tourist Texts

2.1 Unsubstantial vs. Substantial in information

When describing natural scenery， Chinese tend to share their personal thought and emotion. Such scenic description without much specific information seems to be subjective， emotional and unsubstantial. The following example will illustrate this point.

来杭州之前，您一定听说过“上有天堂，下有苏杭”这句名言吧！……就连唐朝大诗人白居易离开杭州时还念念不忘西湖，“未能抛得杭州去，一半勾留是此湖。”

However， English tourist text is more substantial in information. It introduces scenic sites in detail objectively without involving personal thought and emotion. For example：

BRIGHTON（146，000 inhab.） is the largest town and the most famous seaside resort in southern England. Its buildings reach 3 1/2m inland towards the South Downs， while the seafront stretches 7m from Hove in the W（an independent borough with 66，600 inhab.） to beyond Rottingdean in the E.

2.2 Elegant and general vs. Plain， factual and specific in style