中式英语之鉴2

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Reader:蔡心怡
Reading Time:5~6 weeks
Reading Task:中式英语之鉴Part1 Ⅱ
Reflection on Unnecessary Modifiers

The document’s analysis of redundant modifiers in Chinese-to-English translation offers critical insights into linguistic precision. It categorizes five types of superfluous modifiers—redundant, self-evident, intensifiers, qualifiers, and clichés—each illustrated with examples where unnecessary adjectives or adverbs dilute clarity. For instance, phrases like “female businesswoman” or “serious natural disaster” are tautological in English, as gender or severity is implied in the context. The text emphasizes that English often relies on concise, precise nouns and verbs rather than piled modifiers, urging translators to avoid literal transfers of Chinese rhetorical habits.

This analysis resonates deeply with my experience in translation. The contrast between Chinese emphasis on expressive repetition and English preference for understated efficiency highlights a core challenge: translators must internalize target-language norms rather than mechanically mirror source-text structures. For example, the critique of “great historic” as redundant (since “historic” inherently implies significance) underscores the importance of trusting strong vocabulary. Similarly, qualifiers like “quite” or “somewhat” often weaken assertions in English, creating unintended hesitancy. The discussion of clichés (“resolutely enforce,” “vigorously promote”) warns against overused phrases that lose impact through repetition.

Ultimately, the document serves as a reminder that translation is an act of cultural adaptation. Stripping unnecessary modifiers not only sharpens prose but also respects the target audience’s linguistic expectations. While some contexts (e.g., political rhetoric) may demand deliberate emphasis, most texts gain power through simplicity. This balance between fidelity to the source and fluency in the target language remains the translator’s perpetual tightrope walk.