《中式英语之鉴》chapter3读书笔记

wenyikk

Reader:文心怡
Reading Time:5-7week
Reading Task:中式英语之鉴Part 3
Summary of the Content：
The chapter meticulously categorizes redundant twins into three types. The first type comprises pairs where one word's meaning is virtually the same as the other, such as "affluence and prosperity" and "rough and bumpy." The second type includes pairs where one word's meaning is contained in or implied by the other, like "best and thorough efforts" and "evaluate and comprehend." The third type consists of pairs with one word so vague and general that it's indistinguishable from the other, for example, "further and develop" and "strengthen and improve." Through numerous examples and revisions, Pinkham effectively demonstrates how to identify these redundant expressions.
One of the chapter's greatest strengths is its practical approach. By presenting examples from translations and providing clear explanations for each revision, Pinkham equips readers with skills to recognize redundant twins in their own work. This not only enhances the clarity and conciseness of the translated text but also makes it more natural and idiomatic. For instance, changing "consider and study" to "consider" or "introduce and put into effect" to "introduce" streamlines the language and eliminates unnecessary repetition.
Evaluation:
Moreover, the chapter emphasizes the importance of judgment in dealing with redundant twins. It acknowledges that not all two-word combinations are objectionable and that context plays a crucial role in determining whether a pair is redundant. This approach is valuable as it prevents mechanical deletion of words and encourages a more thoughtful consideration of the text's meaning.
Reflection:However, while the chapter is comprehensive in its analysis, some readers might find the sheer number of examples overwhelming. At times, it becomes challenging to keep track of the various types and examples, especially when multiple issues are presented within a single sentence. Additionally, although Pinkham provides guidelines for judgment, determining whether a pair of words is truly redundant can still be subjective in certain contexts.
In conclusion, Chapter 3 of The Translator's Guide to Chinglish is an invaluable resource for translators and English learners alike. It offers a systematic and practical approach to identifying and eliminating redundant twins, ultimately improving the quality of English translations from Chinese. Despite these， I also learn from it and try my best to correct my faults of redundant expressions.