《中式英语之鉴》第一章读书笔记

不要问我为什么

Reading Notes on Chapter One

I. Core Views

1. Redundant Words
A.The book points out that unnecessary words often appear in Chinglish, making expressions verbose and cumbersome. For example, “凯旋而归” can be directly translated as “return in triumph” in English without adding “victoriously.”
B.The original text mentions “extend a warm welcome to our distinguished guests,” but “distinguished” already implies respect, so it can be simplified to “welcome our guests.”
2. Synonym Stacking
A.The author emphasizes that stacking synonyms or near-synonyms is a notable feature of Chinglish, such as “mutual cooperation” and “final completion."
B.The book uses “resolutely determined” as an example, pointing out that “resolute” and “determined” have similar meanings, so only one is needed.

II. A Critical Look at the Author’s Views

1. Flexibility of Redundancy
     Although the book stresses that redundant words make expressions cumbersome, in some contexts, appropriate redundancy can add emphasis or formality. For instance, in formal diplomatic settings or literary works, “extend a warm welcome” might better convey politeness and warmth than simply “welcome.”
    Moreover, there are differences in expression between English and Chinese. Some expressions that seem redundant in Chinese may be necessary in English. Thus, when determining redundancy, consideration should be given to the idiomatic expressions and cultural context of the target language.
2. Pragmatic Functions of Synonym Stacking
     Synonym stacking is not always wrong. In certain situations, using synonyms or near-synonyms can enhance rhythm, balance sentence structure, or emphasize meaning. For example, although both “mutual” and “cooperation” imply mutual involvement, the phrase “mutual cooperation” can make the sentence more fluent and natural. Additionally, in legal documents or official files, synonym stacking is sometimes used to ensure accuracy and rigor.
3. Cultural Differences and Language Habits
     The emergence of Chinglish is closely related to cultural differences and language habits between China and the West. Chinese speakers tend to use more formal and ornate vocabulary, while English favors simplicity and clarity.Therefore, while avoiding Chinglish, we should also respect the distinct characteristics of both languages and seek balance in translation or writing. We cannot simply regard all redundancies and synonym stackings in Chinglish as mistakes; instead, judgments should be made based on specific contexts and purposes.

III. Personal Reflections
     Through reading Chapter One of "The Translator's Guide to Chinglish," I have deeply realized that redundant words and synonym stacking are common issues in Chinglish. However, we should critically examine these issues, recognizing their rationality and pragmatic functions in certain contexts. While learning and using English, we should strive to overcome tendencies towards Chinglish but also avoid oversimplification or misunderstanding of English expressions. We need to continuously improve our English proficiency by understanding cultural differences and language habits, making our language more authentic and natural. Furthermore, this book reminds us to pay attention to details in translation and writing, carefully considering every word and sentence structure to ensure accuracy and fluency.