chapter one

zm张

After delving into Part One of The Translator's Guide to CHINGLISH, I'm struck by how the seemingly simple issue of unnecessary words can create a significant barrier in cross - cultural communication.

Pinkham points out that in Chinese - English translation, redundant words are a common pitfall. For example, phrases like “make an improvement” where “improve” suffices. This “wordiness” is not just a matter of adding a few extra syllables; it clouds the clarity of the message. It's as if we're trying to convey a thought through a thick fog, making it harder for the English - speaking audience to grasp the exact meaning.

What I find fascinating is how these unnecessary words often stem from the differences in language structures. Chinese language has its own rhythm and way of emphasis, which may lead to word - building habits that don't translate well into English. But once we become aware of these habits, we can start to “trim the fat” from our translations.

This part of the book serves as a wake - up call for translators. It reminds us that translation is not just a mechanical word - for - word conversion. Instead, it requires a deep understanding of both languages' essence. By eliminating unnecessary words, we can make our translations more concise, natural, and accessible, thus bridging the gap between different cultures more effectively.