《中式英语之鉴》chapter1读后感

鱼斯拉

Reflection on Chapter 1 of The Translator’s Guide to Chinglish

The Translator’s Guide to Chinglish by Joan Pinkham is an insightful book that systematically addresses the common pitfalls of Chinese-to-English translation. After reading Chapter 1, I gained a deeper understanding of how deeply Chinese linguistic habits influence English expression, often leading to unnatural or redundant phrasing.  

One of the key takeaways from this chapter is the concept of "unnecessary words."** Pinkham points out that many Chinese learners tend to overuse modifiers or redundant phrases due to the influence of Chinese rhetorical styles. For example, expressions like "accelerate the pace of economic development" are unnecessarily wordy in English—simply saying "accelerate economic development" is more concise and natural. This principle aligns with the broader English preference for brevity and clarity.  

Another notable aspect is the difference in syntactic structures between Chinese and English. Chinese often relies on context and implied meanings, whereas English requires explicit logical connections. Pinkham provides numerous examples where Chinese-style sentence structures, such as noun stacking (e.g., "economic development speed"), lead to awkward or ambiguous English translations. Instead, she suggests using adjectives, prepositional phrases, or participles to clarify relationships between words.  

As a university student, I found this chapter particularly enlightening because it made me aware of my own unconscious Chinglish tendencies. For instance, I used to think that adding more descriptive words made my English sound more sophisticated, but Pinkham’s analysis shows that simplicity and precision are far more valued in native English writing.  

In conclusion, Chapter 1 of The Translator’s Guide to Chinglish serves as an essential guide for Chinese learners striving for more natural English expression. By recognizing and eliminating unnecessary words and adjusting sentence structures, we can move closer to producing idiomatic English. This book is not just for translators but for anyone who wants to refine their English writing skills.