Postgraduate English: Which is better, literal translation or free translation?

To achieve equality, we first need to understand literal translation and free translation. The so-called literal translation is to convert the translation into the target language in a suitable context, while retaining the writing style (words, sentence structure, rhetorical devices, etc. ) and the content is consistent. In English, many proverbs and idioms are translated into language in this way. For example, the proverb One appears in English for postgraduate entrance examination.

Harvest him

The universal translation of this proverb is actually achieved through literal translation. According to the literal consciousness of "as you sow, you reap what you sow", this is called "as you sow, you reap what you sow".

God helps those who help them and so on. In literal translation, the content that is faithful to the original should be put in the first place, followed by external forms and rhetoric, and finally the fluency and popularity of the translated language.

Literal translation emphasizes faithfulness to the original text and the realization of "faithfulness and elegance" of the translated text. However, it should be noted that literal translation is not a simple and mechanical word-for-word translation, and it is impossible to translate word-for-word because of the different structures of English and Chinese languages. Sometimes free translation is also necessary.

Article translation, if it can be translated literally, everyone should try to translate literally to avoid semantic deviation. When literal translation is really not feasible, we should consider removing the sentence structure of the original text and using different words to convey the meaning of the original text. Using free translation requires a high understanding of the translator. Translators must thoroughly understand the original text, on the basis of correctly understanding the original meaning, re-use words to make sentences and express the original meaning in fluent Chinese.

In actual translation, if the content and form of the translation can be equivalent to the original, it can be translated literally. However, sometimes the expression of the same ideological content in English and Chinese is very different, so it is difficult to accurately reproduce the ideological content of the original by taking care of the style and form of the original. At this time, the method of free translation is needed.

As two basic translation methods, literal translation and free translation are interdependent and inseparable. Literal translation emphasizes the combination of form and meaning, while free translation emphasizes the perfection of spirit and the variability of form. What everyone is struggling with is literal translation or free translation. In the final analysis, all rejections are dead translation and random translation, not literal translation and free translation in the true sense.

I hope I can help you, and I hope to adopt it!