《中式英语之鉴》阅读笔记3

听雨

Reader:岳庆泽
Reading Time: 2025.3.30-2025.4.13
Reading Task: Chapter5~6
Summary of the Content:
Chapter 5: Repeated References to the Same Thing  
This chapter examines the redundancy in Chinglish caused by repeatedly mentioning the same subject within a sentence or paragraph. The author explains that such repetition can often be deleted or rephrased contextually.  
1.Omissible Repetition:  
Original: "Statistics show that from 1990 to 1994, imported vehicles totalled 960,000 units..."  
Improved: "Statistics show that from 1990 to 1994, imported vehicles totalled 960,000..."  
Here, "units" redundantly repeats the reference to "vehicles."  
2.Acceptable Repetition:  
Certain fixed phrases or cases requiring emphasis for clarity should be retained (e.g. technical terms or idiomatic expressions).  
3.Streamlining Techniques:  
For actions: Replace repetitive verbs with "do so" or "do the same."  
For nouns: Remove modifiers, simplify phrases, or use pronouns (e.g. "it," "they").  

Chapter 6: Summing It All Up  
This concluding chapter recaps key principles from Part 1 ("Unnecessary Words") and reinforces the importance of conciseness in English.  
1.Core Principles Reviewed:  
Eliminate unnecessary nouns and verbs (e.g. "make an improvement" → "improve").  
Avoid redundant modifiers (e.g. "completely finish" → "finish").  
Remove synonym stacking (e.g. "methods and approaches" → "methods").  
Prevent restating the same idea (e.g. "arrive on time and be punctual" → "arrive on time").  
Streamline repeated references to the same subject.  
2.Emphasis on Conciseness:  
The author reiterates that concise expression enhances clarity and naturalness in English. Redundancy not only weakens precision but also distracts readers.   

Evaluation：
The content delves into the issue of redundant pairs in English translations from Chinese, offering a comprehensive guide on identification and revision. It provides specific examples like revising "Trade unions should voice their opinions and demands in time and truly protect their legitimate rights and interests" to "Trade unions should voice their opinions and demands in time and protect their legitimate rights and interests," illustrating the retention of redundancy in official contexts for clarity. The text also shows cultural awareness, recognizing that redundancy may be necessary in certain documents, particularly when dealing with government documents or official statements that will be closely examined by foreign readers. In such cases, it is generally better to risk including a redundancy than to risk losing an element of the intended sense. This suggests that in official or formal contexts, retaining both words of a redundant pair can help ensure that the full meaning is conveyed without ambiguity. However, it could benefit from more concise language. Overall, it's a valuable resource for translators and language learners, blending clarity, cultural insight, and actionable advice effectively.

Reflection:
These chapters prompted me to reflect on how cultural and linguistic differences shape the way we use language. For example, in Chinese, repetition often serves an emphatic or rhetorical function. The phrase "细心认真" (careful and diligent) in Chinese conveys emphasis and care in a way that a direct English translation like "careful and diligent work" might sound redundant.

This illustrates the need for translators to understand both the source and target languages deeply. Chinese often uses repetition for emphasis, while English favors conciseness and precision. As translators, we must navigate this difference, ensuring that the translation maintains the meaning without overloading the sentence with redundant or unnecessary terms.

The methods provided in the book have equipped me with practical tools for identifying and eliminating redundant modifiers and redundant twins. By following these guidelines, translators can ensure their work is clear, concise, and culturally appropriate for an English-speaking audience.

In conclusion, mastering the elimination of unnecessary modifiers and redundant twins is essential for producing high-quality translations. By prioritizing clarity, precision, and cultural sensitivity, translators can avoid the pitfalls of Chinglish and produce English texts that are both accurate and natural.