Reflection: Avoiding Repetitive Referencing

辣白菜味辣条

In Chapter 5, Joan Pinkham addresses the issue of "Repetitive Referencing," a common pitfall in Chinese-to-English translation where redundant repetition of names or phrases clutters the text and distracts readers. This section highlights the importance of conciseness and contextual adaptation in language use.
Personal Takeaways  
1. Cultural & Cognitive Nuances  
Chinese emphasizes semantic cohesion through repetition, whereas English relies on grammatical structures and context. Translators must "decode" the intended meaning rather than mechanically replicating forms. For example, while “改革开放” is translated as “reform and opening up,” subsequent references can be simplified to “these two tasks”.  
2. Application in Academic Writing  
In technical or official documents, repetitive terms ensure precision but risk monotony. Using abbreviations (e.g., WHO) or pronouns (e.g., “this approach”) balances professionalism with readability.  
3. Audience-Centric Adaptation  
Native English speakers prioritize efficient communication; redundancy may signal unprofessionalism. For instance, translating “救火” as “save the fire” is confusing, while “fight the fire” conveys clarity. Such adaptations require respect for the audience’s linguistic habits.  
Through the reflection of this chapter, I have realized that language is not only the transformation of symbols, but also a bridge between thinking and culture. The essence of avoiding repeated references is to pursue the communication wisdom of being "reader-centered".