Book Note 2 on《中式英语之鉴》

悦悦悦

Reader: 赵悦
Reading Time: 2天
Reading Task: Chapter 3-4
Summary of the Content:
Chapter 3: Common Categories of Chinglish
Literal Translation & Redundancy: Directly translating Chinese phrases into English often results in redundant expressions (e.g., “make an improvement” → “improve”).
Collocation Errors: Chinese and English have distinct word partnerships (e.g., “deep impression” is incorrect; “profound impression” is preferred).
Semantic Repetition:.Chinese emphasizes reinforcement (e.g., “mutual cooperation”), while English prioritizes conciseness (“cooperation”).
Abstract Nouns & Category Words: Chinese relies on vague terms like “问题” (problem), but English requires specificity (e.g., avoid “problem in the field of education”).
Chapter 4: Strategies for Revising Chinglish
Simplify Structure: Remove redundant words and merge fragmented sentences (e.g., “in the field of education” → “in education”).
Restructure Sentences: Adjust word order to align with English logic (e.g., “根据计划，我们将完成任务” → “We will complete the task as planned”).
Use Active Voice: Minimize passive constructions (e.g., “measures have been taken” → “we have taken measures”).
Replace Nominalizations: Use verbs instead of abstract nouns (e.g., “make a decision” → "decide").
Evaluation:
Strengths:
Practical Examples: Abundant real-life mistranslations illustrate common errors clearly.
Logical Framework: Clear categorization (e.g., literal translation, redundancy) aids self-assessment.
Actionable Strategies: Chapter 4 provides step-by-step revision techniques for translators and learners.
Weaknesses:
Cultural Nuances: Some cases require contextual analysis beyond grammatical fixes.
Lack of Exercises: Limited opportunities to practice applying the strategies.
Reflection:
Personal Challenges:
Literal Translation: Tendency to translate Chinese sentence structures directly (e.g., “加强沟通” → “strengthen communication” instead of “improve communication”).
Passive Voice Overuse: Reliance on passive constructions (e.g., “measures should be taken” instead of “We should take measures”).
Improvement Plan:
Create a vocabulary journal for English collocations (e.g., “reach an agreement” instead of “arrive at an agreement”).
Rewrite Chinglish sentences into natural English and compare versions (e.g., “解决问题的关键在于...” → “The key to solving the problem is...”).
Use a checklist to eliminate redundant modifiers (e.g., “very”, “really”) and passive voice post-writing.
Cultural Awareness: Prioritize cultural equivalence over literal translation (e.g., translate “雨后春笋” as “spring up like mushrooms” to match English idioms).
This book offers a systematic approach to identifying and revising Chinglish. While its theoretical framework is valuable, integrating cultural sensitivity and practical exercises will enhance its effectiveness. Moving forward, I will focus on applying the strategies through daily writing practice and immersive English reading to internalize natural expression patterns.