Day2 Reflections on Chinese-Style English and Writing Simplicity

2301晨花鹿

Having read the thoughts on Chinese-style English and the emphasis on concise writing, I've gained valuable insights into both translation and composition.

Chinese-style English often contains unnecessary words, such as redundant nouns and verbs that don't add meaning. For example, "to accelerate the pace of economic reform" can be simplified to "to accelerate economic reform" without losing any meaning. This shows how we can make English more direct and clear by eliminating such redundancies.

In translation, there's a difference between Chinese and English tendencies. Chinese tends to be more dynamic, while English is more static. This means that in English writing and translation, we should be cautious about overusing noun forms of verbs. As mentioned, weak verbs combined with nominalizations can make sentences unnecessarily complex. For instance, instead of "to have respect for," using "to respect" is more concise and powerful.

However, in certain contexts like the CATTI exam, which focuses on political and economic discourse, a more formal and official style is expected. This style might use constructions like "carry out reforms" instead of the simpler "reform." But in most other translation and writing situations, aiming for simplicity is advisable.

Regarding writing style, the principle of simplicity resonates strongly with me. The idea of refining and editing until nothing more can be removed is a powerful approach. This mirrors advice given in various writing guides, emphasizing that good writing is often concise and direct.

For translators and content creators, strong writing skills in both Chinese and English are essential. When your writing is clear and concise in your native language, your translations into other languages naturally improve.

To sum up, whether translating or creating original content, we should strive for clarity and simplicity. This approach not only makes our work more accessible to readers but also reflects a professional dedication to excellence in communication.