Amplification and omission are two frequently used techniques in translating prose between Chinese and English. Using these two techniques is mainly because that there are some differences between Chinese and English and translators have the obligation to avoid Chinglish.
To begin with, the differences between Chinese and English require proper use of the techniques of amplification and omission in the process of translation. Firstly, Chinese is a paratactic language while English is a hypotactic one. Secondly, Chinese is a diffusive language while English is a compact one. Thirdly, Chinese expression is usually concrete while English expression is often abstract. Therefore, the techniques of amplification and omission are necessarily used in the translation between Chinese and English to assure the language genuineness.
In addition, translators have the responsibility to avoid Chinglish. If a translator is incapable of using amplification and omission properly in the translation between Chinese and English, he could not convey the meaning of the Chinese materials fully to English readers. Even if he can fully pass on the information, his translation would not be accepted, because, lacking proper amplification and omission, it is Chinglish instead of English. Chinglish is an unacceptable variant of English because it contains some unnecessary words and its structure is different from the authentic English.
Key words: prose translation between Chinese and English; amplification; omission; differences; Chinglish
Brief Cause Analysis on Using Amplification and Omission in Prose Translation between English and Chinese
Outline
Thesis Statement: Amplification and omission are two frequently used techniques in the process of prose translation between English and Chinese, which is mainly due to the differences between the two languages and translators’ obligation to avoid Chinglish.
I. Introduction: Amplification and Omission Techniques Used in Translating Prose between Chinese and English.
II. Reasons for the Frequent Uses of These Two Techniques
A. Differences between Chinese and English
1. Hypotaxis vs. Parataxis
2. Compactness vs. Diffusivity
3. Abstract vs. Concreteness
B. Translators’ Obligation to Avoid Chinglish
1. Introduction of Chinglish
2. Unnecessary Words
III. Conclusion
