ABSTRACT
In spite of those gratifying achievements in translation industry, there is still a long wayto go to meet the demands of the times and social development in terms of the current situationand overall strength of translation. Besides, the existing translation quality evaluation methodsseem to be fairly subjective and arbitrary without being guided by systematic translationtheories. Therefore, the study on translation quality and how to measure translation quality iswaiting to be improved and perfected.
The purpose of this thesis is to measure the gray relational grade of some selected factorsinfluencing the quality of Chinese to English translation, so as to provide a theoreticalguidance in improvement of translation quality and the assessment models. In addition, itproposes a new idea, a tool and a method - gray relational analysis to future similar researchesin this field.
The main idea of this thesis is as follows. First of all, some quantifiable factors that havemajor impact on the quality of Chinese to English translation are selected by the analysis onrelated literature. The data requested is extracted through Wordsmith, Microsoft and Pagai web.Then, the theory and method of gray relational analysis is introduced into the establishment ofthe analysis model on factors influencing the Chinese to English translation quality, withwhich sorts the influential degree of various factors by quantitative analysis. Compared withthe grading standards of translation in some national examinations to examine whether theresults of the calculation in this thesis are reasonable or not, which will verify the accuracy ofthe analysis model. Finally, through the comprehensive consideration of conclusions drawform all qualitative and quantitative analysis, the key influencing factors are found out. At theend of the thesis, corresponding suggestions are proposed.
Keywords: Gray relational analysis; the Quality of Chinese to English Translation;Influential Factors
摘要
虽然目前我国的翻译事业取得了可喜的成绩,但就目前翻译工作的现状及整体实力而言,与社会和时代发展的要求还有相当差距.此外,现存的各种翻译质量评估模式和方法虽都有其合理性,但或多或少会带有一定的主观色彩,因此都不同程度地遭到批评.鉴于此,完善翻译质量相关研究并高效地进行翻译实践是十分必要的.
本文的研究目的就是通过对影响汉译英翻译质量的相关因素数据进行分析,得出各影响因素与翻译质量之间的关联程度,从而为译者在翻译实践中有效提高翻译质量以及完善翻译质量评估模型提供一定的理论依据.除此之外,也为今后做类似研究提供一种新的思路、工具和方法--灰色关联分析.
本文的研究思路是在大量阅读相关文献的基础上,从定性分析和定量分析两个方面入手,通过实证分析法确定各影响因素与汉译英翻译质量之间的关联程度大小以及排序的问题.首先,通过文献分析,找出了一些较为直观可量化的、影响比较大的因素信息,并在此基础上,通过 Wordsmith、Microsoft 以及批改网对有关的数据进行提取.然后引入了灰色关联分析理论,建立汉译英翻译质量影响因素分析模型,进而将该模型引入到翻译实例中,对有关影响因素进行定量分析,求出关联度大小并进行排序.结合国家级考试翻译部分评分标准,分析计算结果是否合理,同时验证该影响因素分析模型的准确性.最后,通过对所有定性、定量分析结论的综合考虑,确定影响汉译英翻译质量的关键因素并有针对性地提出相应的应对策略.
关键词:灰色关联分析,汉译英翻译质量,影响因素
CONTENTS
CHAPTER Ⅰ INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................. 1
1.1 Background of the Thesis .................................................................................................. 1
1.2 Purpose and significance of the thesis ............................................................................... 2
1.3 Methodology, Flow and Structure of the Thesis ................................................................ 3
1.3.1 Research methodology ................................................................................................ 3
1.3.2 Research flow .............................................................................................................. 4
1.3.3 Structure of thesis ....................................................................................................... 5
CHAPTER Ⅱ LITERATURE REVIEW ..................................................................................... 7
2.1 Literature Review on Translation Quality.......................................................................... 7
2.2 Literature Review on Factors Influencing the Quality of Chinese to English Translation 8
2.2.1 Related studies abroad ................................................................................................ 8
2.2.2 Related studies in China .............................................................................................. 9
2.3 Literature Review on gray relational analysis ................................................................. 11
2.3.1 Literature of theory ................................................................................................... 11
2.3.2 Literature of applications .......................................................................................... 12
2.4 Summary .......................................................................................................................... 15
CHAPTER Ⅲ THEORY OF GRAY SYSTEM AND GRAY RELATIONAL ANALYSIS ..... 16
3.1 Theory of Gray System .................................................................................................... 16
3.1.1 Concept of "Gray" .................................................................................................... 16
3.1.2 Origin and development of the theory of gray system .............................................. 16
3.1.3 Essential contents of the theory of gray system ........................................................ 17
3.2 Gray Relational Analysis ................................................................................................. 19
3.2.1 Outline of gray relational analysis ............................................................................ 19
3.2.2 Essential contents of gray relational analysis ........................................................... 21
3.3 Feasibility and Advantages of gray relational analysis .................................................... 23
3.3.1 Feasibility of gray relational analysis in Translation Quality Research ................... 23
3.3.2 Advantages of gray relational analysis ..................................................................... 24
CHAPTER Ⅳ GRAY RELATIONAL ANALYSIS ON SOME SELECTED FACTORS
INFLUENCING CHINESE TO ENGLISH TRANSLATION QUALITY ............................... 28
4.1 Factors influencing Chinese to English Translation Quality ........................................... 28
4.1.1 Principles of evaluation index selection ................................................................... 28
4.1.2 Factors influencing Chinese-English translation quality .......................................... 29
4.2 Construction of an Analysis Model of Factors Influencing Chinese-English Translation Quality..... 29
4.2.1 Selecting raw data ..................................................................................................... 29
4.2.2 Processing raw data ................................................................................................... 30
4.2.3 Algorithm of gray relational coefficient .................................................................... 31
4.2.4 Algorithm of gray relational grade ............................................................................ 32
4.2.5 Order of gray relational grade ................................................................................... 32
4.3 Case Analysis ................................................................................................................... 33
4.3.1 Overview of the case ................................................................................................. 33
4.3.2 Calculation of gray relational grade of factors influencing the Chinese to English
translation quality .................................................................................................................. 33
4.3.3 Results and suggestions ............................................................................................. 36
CHAPTER Ⅴ CONCLUSION .................................................................................................. 40
5.1 Findings of the Thesis ...................................................................................................... 40
5.2 Suggestions for Further Research .................................................................................... 41
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ...................................................................................................... 43
BIBLIOGROPHY ..................................................................................................................... 44
CHAPTER Ⅰ INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Thesis
In today's world, the openness of policies, economic globalization and the pluralism ofculture call for further cooperation and communication between our nation and the othercountries around the world, which entails huger demand of translation than ever before. Suchan era in which communication will becomes almost inconceivable without translation. Overthe years, a large number of international publications are being introduced and translated toChina. While the translation team is growing, translation quality is decreasing.
In spite of those gratifying achievements in our translation industry and the prerequisiteto promote the external communication and reform and opening up, there is still a long way togo to meet the demands of the times and social development in terms of the current situationand overall strength of translation work. The translation market is not standardized enough,lacking the necessary access principles, and professional translation training can hardly meetthe market requirements for translation talents. Moreover, there are still manymisunderstandings in the society's understanding of translation. As a result, the problems ofthe quality of translated production become more and more serious. Errors in foreign languagesigns can be seen almost everywhere in public places such as hotels, restaurants, touristattractions and even museums, which seriously affects the image of the city. The quality oftranslation in all kinds of publicity materials at all levels in China is little optimistic, and somemistakes are shocking. In an interview with reports, Huang Youyi (2013) stated that in thepublishing world, low quality books translated by amateur translators who have neveraccepted any professional translation training can be seen everywhere in the bookstores. Intranslation market, it is difficult for customers to find a satisfactory service provider amongnumerous translation companies, which reflects a particular problem that the quantity oftranslations has expanded while the quality is hard to guarantee in current translation industry.
Therefore, special attentions shall be paid to the translation quality. In fact, the quality oftranslation began to be discussed, assessed and criticized as soon as the translation activity hasemerged ever since thousands of years ago. Reiss(2000) said that the sheer bulk andundeniable significance of translation required that the quality of translations be a matter ofspecial attention. Guan Jiling(2009) "Only after the quality of the translation has been judgedor assessed, a translation activity finished." The study on the quality of translation has neverbeen an emerging field, but an indispensable part of translation studies. However, comparedwith translation theory and translation history research, the study about translation quality has always been in a less favorable position and far from satisfactory.
1.2 Purpose and significance of the thesis
The study on translation has always been being a hot topic focused by both the academicresearchers and practitioners. With globalization advancing, international exchanges areincreasingly frequent whether in economy, politics or culture. It is Chinese to Englishtranslation of materials that serves as a bridge between the nation and the rest of the world.
Appropriate translation contributes to effective communication, which in turn promotesmutual understanding. Therefore, Chinese to English translation plays an indispensable role inensuring smooth exchanges and strengthening friendly relationship. As the improvement of China's comprehensive national strength and international status,almost everything happened in China has received much attention from the internationalcommunity. Wang Chen said "Today, as more interactions between China and the rest of theworld, desires of others to understand China grow stronger, and the international community ismore eager to listen to the voice of China." Translation serves as a significant part of foreignexchanges and communications. High-quality translations can enhance the soft power andpublicize the achievements in various fields of the reform and opening up to the world. Theothers will have a deeper understanding on Chinese and friendly exchanges among people willbe expanded while China will develop its international influence, and set up and maintain thegood image internationally so as to create a sound circumstance of international public opinionfor our modernization constructions.
With the economic development of various countries, the links among countries havebeen continuously strengthened, and the trend of economic integration has become moreobvious. The frequent exchanges in economy and culture of countries have driven the rapiddevelopment of international business. Translation plays an increasing role in the internationaltrade among enterprises and its quality not only affects the business cooperation, but alsoconcerns the rise or fall, profit or loss of the company. Appropriate translation provides apowerful guarantee for enterprises to ensure the competitiveness in the international market,and directly affects its business status. In addition, the quality of Chinese to English translationhas a great influence on the development of our profound traditional culture accumulated forthousands of years. Since the entry into the WTO, China has had numerous opportunities forinternational cooperation and exchanges. At the same time, it also means it is more imperativethan ever to gap cultural and linguistic differences to introduce China to the rest of the world. Accurate and correct Chinese to English translation can not only help target language peopleappreciate traditional Chinese culture, but improve the spread of our culture around the world to a large extent.
Various factors with different emphasis constantly affect and intervene the process fromthe determination of the original text to the translation produced into market to different extent,which leads to difficulties in the analysis of selected factors influencing the quality oftranslation. Therefore, to clarify the influencing degree of each factor guarantees thetranslation quality and is an indispensable component in the field of translation research.
The significance of gray relational analysis (gray relational analysis) on some selectedfactors influencing Chinese to English translation quality lies in the study is not with themethod of purely qualitative description any more, but quantifies the problem to find out laws,with which analyzes the changes and development of things. The research of this subjectwould be a little help for exploring the primary and secondary factors influencing the Chineseto English translation quality to provide some guidance in translation teaching and practice,and to make translation offer a better service, while improve the practical value in translationstudy.
As far as the translator is concerned, this study can help them to give priority to the mainfactors affecting the quality of translation in practice so as to improve the quality of theirtranslation and the translation competence of themselves. For scholars, this study offers thetheoretical basis to improve and perfect the existing translation quality assessment model sothat the evaluation of translation productions is more scientific and objective. And also, thetranslation market is much more demanding. In addition, finding out the key influential factorsinfluencing Chinese to English translation quality with quantitative analysis provides gist foreducation department and universities to allocate education resources and develop curriculumin order to enhance the quality of translator training.
…………由于本文篇幅较长,部分内容省略,详细全文见文末附件
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
My sincere gratitude goes first and foremost to my supervisor Professor Dong Mei, whohas given me a clear thought about the study. In the process of preparing this thesis, she hasspent much time amending the draft and provided me with constructive advice. Without herinsightful instruction and expert guidance, I cannot finish this thesis successfully.
And then, I would like to express my great gratitude to all other teachers who have taughtme during my 3-year study at Xi'An Shi You University, for their inspiring lectures during thisperiod have broadened my vision in the field of linguistics and translation studies.
Acknowledgements should also be made to my beloved family for their lovingconsiderations and great confidence in me all through these years. And I am grateful to myfriends and my fellow classmates who shared useful materials and gave me valuablesuggestions when I encountered difficulties in my study.
Finally, I want to thank Xi'An ShiYou University, which provides me numerous booksand materials to do this research. It has been a great experience to study at this university.Those beautiful and unforgettable moments here are all precious wealth for the rest of my life.
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