《On Reproduction of Childishness in Children’s Literature Translation.doc》由会员分享，可在线阅读，更多相关《On Reproduction of Childishness in Children’s Literature Translation.doc（25页珍藏版）》请在三一办公上搜索。
1、On Reproduction of Childishness in Childrens Literature Translation1. DIRECTIONS FOR LEARNERS1) Analyze the data in no less than 1,000 words by using one or some of the methods recommended in Step 2 and Step 3 of Stage 7 in Writing Your BA Paper Through Practical Translation Project Design. The anal
2、ysis should be based on the examples from the data, or no less than 3 samples from each category of the data.2) The heading for this section has been given. You may decide on your own subheadings if there are any.3) Insert your analysis of the data in paragraphs, tables, diagrams or listings in the
3、space below.4. Data Analysis The childishness is a decisive role in childrens literature translation. The readers of Childrens literature are the children. So childrens literature translation must be read smoothly by the children, and it is also very interesting. The childishness is embodied in the
4、significance equivalence. And it is achieved by a certain vocabulary, grammar and rhetoric. However, there are the differences in the expression of two languages, sometimes the charm of the original language can not be directly transplanted, It usually requires to use the functional equivalence of t
5、he means. Changing appropriately can reproduce creatively a functional equivalence. The childishness is also embodied the typical style of childrens literature.4.1Significance equivalence4.1.1 Vocabulary levelIn vocabulary, childrens literature can create more childishness though interjections. Cons
6、ider the following example:“Yippeeeeeeeeee!” he shouted. “Three cheers for Charlie! Hip, hip, hooray!” (Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, 1998: 49) “好啊啊啊啊啊啊啊！”他高声欢呼，“为查理三呼万岁！万岁，万岁，万万岁！”（查理和巧克力工厂，2004: 58） The translator doesnt transliterate the grandfathers surprising cheers, but use the common Chi
7、nese word “万岁” ，it is right to convey the original meaning of the exclamations, and this get the form equivalence, so that the old grandfathers ecstatic is described completely.Chinese and English are two very different languages, the two languages are formed in a long literary tradition of distinct
8、ive customs and language means. Reduplicated words can always be used as a major feature in Chinese. It is also used high frequency in childrens literature. When translated childrens literature may use the Chinese characteristics feature appropriately, children readers can accept more easily. Ren Ro
9、ngrong used extensively more reduplicated words. Such as”高高地、深深地、久久、拖拖拉拉、磨磨蹭蹭、嘎吱嘎吱and the reduplicated words makes translation to be filled by childishness.4.1.2 Grammar levelThere is a special way to show the child psychology in childrens literature in the grammar level .Such as inversion. it will
10、cause a vivid translation. For example:“Up we go!” she shouted (Georges Marvelous Medicine, 1998: 38) “好啊，妙啊，我要长高！”她欢呼道。 （小乔治的神奇魔药，2004: 44）the original text emphasized the girls excitement for her height , so Ren Rongrong added, 好啊，妙啊l in the translation to stand out the persons emotions. Inversion
11、 can increase the languages beauty. 4.2 The typical style of childrens literature4.2.1 Easily understandableDuring the early time of childrens literature, there was a misunderstanding. Children were simply regarded as the reduction form of adults and so was childrens literature. The obscure wording
12、made the works quite difficultly to be understood and accepted by the children readers. Thus, in the translated versions, there were many “old children” who were unacceptable by the real children readers. Therefore, about the style of childrens literature, being easily-understood is very important.
13、For example: Mr.Dursle had been hugged by a complete stranger. He also thought he had been called a Muggle, whatever that was. He was rattled. He hurried to his car and set off home, hoping he was imagining things, which he had never hoped before, because he didnt approve of imagination. 德思礼先生站在原地一动
14、不动 ,仿佛生了根。他刚刚被一个完全陌生的人搂过。他还想到自己被称做“麻瓜”,不知这是什么意思。他心乱如麻 ,连忙朝自己的汽车跑过去 ,开车回家。他希望这一切只是幻象 ,他从来没有幻想过什么 ,因为他根本不赞同幻想.(苏农译 ,2000:3)This paragraph describes Mr. Dursle, who was thought normally himself, was hugged by a wizard and was in a whirl. He hoped what happened were just imagining things. But this went
15、against with his normal habits because he never approved of imagination. In the version, the translator used homophones “幻象” and“幻想”to show Mr. Dursles complex mood feeling to let the readers catch the writers exact meaning and show the fluency of wording. Therefore, it is a style suitable for readi
16、ng and accepted by children readers.4.2.2 Humorous and wittyHere, being humorous and witty means childrens temperament and interests. This is often reflected through certain words, phrases, grammar and rhetoric. To figure out the charm of the source text and transmit the exact meanings to the target
17、 readers, We will discuss this according the following examples: Even Stans pimples went white; Ern jerked the steering wheel so hard that a whole farmhouse had to jump aside to avoid the bus. 史坦吓得甚至连青春痘都变白了;老厄惊得用力扭了一下方向盘 ,害得前方的一个大农庄必须整个跳开,才没被公车给撞到。 (彭倩文译 ,2000:21)The author showed the common fearfu
18、l feeling in wizards world. The translator used “吓得甚至连青春痘都变白了” to express the lively images and childishness of the source text.4.2.3 Full of beautyWording beautiful is another feature of childrens literature style as childrens literature also has an aim to afford children sense of beauty. Here, bea
19、uty means both wording and pronunciation. This is more important in translating because children are more sensitive on sound and images. Example: The fifth owl zoomed down the chimney so fast it actually hit the floor before zooming into the air again with a loud screech. Harry raised his hand to se
20、ize the letter, which was in a scarlet envelope, but it soared straight over his head, flying directly at Aunt Petunia, who let out a scream and ducked her arms over her face. The owl dropped the red envelop on her head, turned, and flew straight back up the chimney. 第五只猫头鹰嗖的一声从烟囱里蹿了下来 ,因速度太快 ,一头撞在地
21、上 ,它尖厉地叫了一声 ,又忽地腾空飞起。哈利举起一只手去抓那个鲜红色的信封 ,可猫头鹰掠过他的头顶 ,径直朝佩妮姨妈飞去。佩妮姨妈尖叫一声 ,抬起两只胳膊护住脸 ,闪身躲避。猫头鹰把红信封扔在她头上 ,转身又从烟囱里飞了出去。(马爱农等译2003:27)In this part, the writer described the miraculous magic world. The owl can send letters for wizard. Also, this part showed Aunt Petunias flustered appearance after contacti
22、ng with something about the magic world. The version completely showed the owls cleverness and agility through short sentences and phrases and expressed the beauty of the source text.4.3 Elements concerned to the style and reproduction of childishnessWhen translate childrens literary works, the lang
23、uage style and reproduction of childishness are very important. The language style is the first element of acceptability of childrens literature. The translator should make the versions be musical and rhythmical in wording and phrasing. Reproduction of childishness is the essence of childrens litera
24、ture translation. We should use humorous tone and childlike words and phrases to show childrens life and mentality so that they are sympathetic to the translated versions. The specific temperament and interest of childrens literature is achieved by some language methods as words, grammar and rhetori
25、c.4.3.1 The rhyme and rhythmThe main form of childrens thought is concrete thought. Children are more interested in specific things such as shape, color, sound and image. Rhyme and rhythm can bring them pleasure and beauty and excite their emotion. This point requests that the translators should use
26、 the words which have strong sense of rhythm and music. Example: How does the little crocodile 小鳄鱼 ,尾巴亮 ,Improve his shining tail , 怎样使它亮又亮 ,And pour the waters of the Nile 尼罗河水哗哗响 ,On every golden scale! 冲得鳞甲闪金光。How cheerfully he seems to grin, 咧开嘴 ,笑得欢 ,How neatly spreads his claws , 伸开爪 ,多灵活 ,And
27、 welcomes little fishes in 张开两颚咪咪笑 ,With gently smiling jaws! 欢迎小鱼往里跳。 (陈复庵译)In Alices Adventures in Wonder, Carroll used many ballads to make the work both interesting and relaxing. Therefore, when we translate the rhymes, we would better use Chinese rhymes to achieve the same reading effect.4.3.2
28、The colloquialization of the expressionsThe style of childrens literature requests its wording not only meaningful but also sweet-sounding when both be read and listened to. The words and phrases should be simple, clear, lively, humorous and interesting. The following examples can check whether the
29、translators did well on this point.Copses , dells , quarries and all hidden places , which had been mysterious mines for exploration in leafy summer, now exposed themselves and their secrets pathetically , and seemed to ask him to overlook their shabby poverty for a while , till they could riot in r
30、ich masquerade as before , and trick and entice him with the old deceptions. (Grahame, The Wind in the Willows)A: 矮树林 ,小山谷 ,采石场 ,以及夏季繁叶荫翳遮避的所有隐秘之处 ,往昔那些神秘探险宝地 ,现在全都暴露无疑 ,秘密惨不忍睹地大白天下;它们仿佛在请求 ,要他暂且宽恕他们的粗陋和寒碜 ,请他等到它们能像从前那样到盛大的化妆舞会上狂欢时 ,再来用老花招逗弄和迷惑他。(赵武平译)B: 那些灌木丛 ,小山谷 ,石坑以及一切隐秘的地方 ,在万物繁茂的夏天里还是需要探测的“秘密矿
31、产”,而此刻却可怜巴巴地裸露无疑 ,似乎要让他暂时看看它们的贫瘠 ,不久它们又会如从前一样披上繁茂的假面具 ,用老掉牙的把戏来欺骗他。 (乔向东译)Wind in the Willows is a well-known animal story in western countries, also a famous work of childrens literature. In version A, the translator used classical style and in tone of adults that brought the readers an obstacle to
32、 reading and understanding. Meanwhile, version B used spoken language and some easy-understood words to make it easier to be accepted by the children readers. Another example:And such a luxury to him was his petting of his sorrows that he could not bear to have any worldly cheeriness or any grating
33、delight intrude upon it, it was too sacred for such contact. (Mark Twain)他这样玩弄着他的悲伤情绪 ,对他简直是一种了不起的快乐 ,所以如果有什么世俗的愉快或是什么令人厌烦得欢喜来打搅他这种境界 ,那就叫他无法忍受;因为他这种快乐是非常圣洁的 ,不应该遭到那样的沾染。(张友松译)Children are sensitive to wording. An indistinct image even a rarely-used word may influence their reading interests. But th
34、is translated version solved this problem very well. The translator chose the easily accepted way to improve the acceptability of the versions.4.3.3 The reproduction of childishness.Childrens temperament and interests is artistic form of their thought, action, psychology and language in literary wor
35、ks. Concretely speaking, according to the different characters of children, translators should use humorous and witty tone, lively description and childlike words and phrases to excite their interests.4.3.3.1 ExclamationFor word-choosing, we often use exclamations to reproduce the childishness to at
36、tract our target readers. Examples:(1) “Well!”thought Alice to herself ,“After such a fall as this , I shall think nothing of tumbling downstairs ! How brave theyll all think me at home! Why, I wouldnt say anything about it, even if I fell off the top of the house !” “啊 !”爱丽思自忖着 ,“摔过了这么一大回的跤后,那以后再从楼
37、梯上滚下去便算不得什么啦 ! 家里的人一定觉得我的胆子真大 ! 哼 ,哪怕我从房子顶上掉下来 ,我一句都不会提的 !” (李敏中译)This version above does well when translate the exclamations as “well, why”, also adds more according to the feature of Chinese language. Thus, we can get a more lively image of Alice who is filled with glories.(2) and she , oh , she
38、knows such a very little !Besides , SHEs she , and Im I, and oh dear , how puzzling it all is ! Ill try if I know all the things I used to know. Let me see: four times five is twelve, and four times six is thirteen, and four times seven is oh dear! I shall never get to twenty at that rate!她呢 ,哼! 她只知
39、道那么一点点 ! 而且她是她 ,我是我 ,天哪 ,全都闹糊涂啦 ! 我来试试 ,看我以前知道的东西是不是还都知道。让我想想:四五一十二 ,四六一十三 ,四七 哎 ! 这样我老也数不到二十 ! (陈复庵译)Proper use of exclamations also conforms to the roles of Chinese childrens literature. If translators can use exclamations properly, the versions will be more childish and acceptable by the children
40、 readers.4.3.3.2 Rhetoric Rhetoric is used both in Chinese and English literature works to enhance interest and appeal, but the difference between them brings the translators much challenge. Therefore, the first thing is to know the meanings and implication, then to use proper translating methods. O
41、nly in this way, can we offer our readers the versions with the same effect to the original ones. For example the English authors often use alliteration to make their works sound more lively so that the children readers would be attracted. When we translate, we should try to get the same function. H
42、ere are some examples:(1)So he scraped and scratched and scrabbled and scrooged, and thenscrooged again and scrabbled and scratched and scraped ,working busily with his little paws and muttering to himself ,“Up we go ! Up we go!” (Grahame, The Wind in the Willows) 它不停掏着土 ,不停地刮 ,扒 ,抓 ,不停地抓 ,扒 ,刮 ,忙忙碌
43、碌地干着活儿 ,一边自言自语:“上去 ! 上去 !”(乔向东译)Grahame used alliteration to produce the drama effect. The translator also used threeChinese words with rhyme to achieve the same effect. Here is another example in Alices Adventures in Wonder about rhyme:(2)“In my youth ,”Father William replied to his son , “I feared
44、 it might injure the brain; But , now that Im perfectly sure I have none , Why , I do it again and again.”B: 爸爸答到 ,“年轻时节我寻思 ,倒立会把脑弄坏;现在反正没脑子 ,玩了又玩也不碍。”(陈复庵译)Here, “son and none”, “（injure the）brain and again” are translated as “思、子”and “（把脑弄）坏、碍”，which also sounds like a poem. So this version is acc
45、eptable by the little readers.4.3.3.3 PunPun is a kind of word games. One way is to use the different meanings of the same word. The other is to use the similarity of the meaning or pronunciation of different words. The goal of using pun is to produce humor or serious effect. But this is a great tro
46、uble for the translators. Sometimes, we can not find corresponding words or phrases from the target language to express the similar meaning to the original language. Also, the different meanings of the same word sometimes can not be corresponded in the target language. The greatest challenge for the
47、 translators is how to choose the proper forms. Many people solve this problem with footnotes. For example: “Of course not,”said the Mock Turtle. “Why, if a fish came tome, and told me he was going a journey, I should sayWith what porpoise?”“Dont you mean purpose?” said Alice. “是啊 ,”假海龟说 ,“你想 ,假如有个黄
48、蟹来找我 ,对我说它要旅行上哪儿去 ,我第一句话就要问它 ,你有什么鲤鱼?”阿丽思道 ,“你要说的不是理由吗 ?”In the original version, porpoise and purpose have the similar pronunciation, so here the writer used pun. In the translated version, Mr. Chao made a new pun to guarantee the excitement of the dialogue and the connection of the context. Anothe
49、r example “The Mouse tells a dull and long tale in order to make the wet creatures dry again in the third chapter. It says: “Are you all ready? This is the driest thing I know” Here, “dry” is a pun. It means “not wet” and “wearisome or uninteresting”. In chapter seven, when Dormouse tells stories, “. . . And so these th
