Style in Translation and Genres (Week 3)

Style in Translation

• Alexandra Tyler defines style in translation as maintaining the same character as the original writing.
• Eugene Nida considers translating as finding the closest natural equivalent in the receptor language, prioritizing meaning and then style.
• Yan Fu identified three standards of translation: fidelity, fluency, and elegance.

Style of Different Genres: News Report

• A pentagon spokesperson reported the F-16's safe return to its Saudi Arabia base after a strike, with the Iraqi site's damage status unknown.
• An investigation was underway to confirm the strike, which occurred approximately eighteen hours prior.
• Mr. McCurry dismissed claims that the delay was to shield Mr. Clinton from political repercussions before the presidential elections.

Style of Different Genres: Technical Text

• Finding oil deep underground requires geological surveys due to surface studies being inconclusive.
• If a certain area is thought to contain oil, a drilling rig must be assembled.
• As drilling occurs, a steel pipe is pushed down to prevent the collapse of sides.
• If oil is found, a cover is secured to the pipe's top, and oil is released via a series of valves.

Style of Different Genres: Letter

• A formal letter congratulates "Dorothy" on the birth of her daughter.
• Cordial blessings of goodness, wisdom, and beauty are extended to the newborn.
• The letter is signed "Charlotte Smith".

Style in Literary Writing

• 《圍城》is referenced as reading material for literary writing.

Tone

• Webster's Dictionary describes tone as a particular quality, modulation, or intonation of voice that expresses meaning, feeling, or spirit.
• A tone can convey solemnity, humor, or reproach.
• According to Eugene Nida, what needs determination is the receptor's response to the translated message.
• The receptor's response has to be compared to how the original receptors reacted to the message in its original setting.
• Different tones can be used to say "I'm going to get married today" such as happiness, disbelief or dread.

Change of Sentence Types

• Tone can be conveyed by adjusting sentence structure and punctuation.
• Example of tone using sentence structure: "On several occasions he found himself muttering about this idiot who'd surely piss himself silly if he actually had to go to the battlefield!"
• Example of tone using sentence structure: "As the two newcomers entered, Officer Tai complained quite loudly, 'I say, Ye Minzhu, what are you people doing there? Stirring up trouble for us again are you.'"
• Example of tone using sentence structure: "Qiu joined in, 'Why, they're there to make sure you people don't lose your jobs.'"

Style in Literary Writing: Miss Tan

• Miss Tan’s full name was Tan Xuehang, and she was the general manager of the Gold Bridge Advertising Agency.
• Miss Tan didn't like being addressed as manager so she had instructed everyone to call her miss.
• The employees naturally complied because it was a private enterprise.
• "He was very pleased --until he opened the garage."

Summary

• Hong Kong's internationality fosters cultural resilience.
• The dynamic friction of diverse cultures generates new knowledge.
• This leadership is similar to the wisdom of Chinese General Lin, promoting service with principles.
• In translating, comprehension of the author's intent is key to finding suitable expressions.
• "He never forgot what his dad had taught him as a boy: Being poor doesn’t matter, but a poor man must have integrity, not to try to get the better of others, show self- restraint, public spirit and a sense of responsibility."
• Hong Kong is a cosmopolitan city that welcomes different cultures and values.
• There are a lot of thoughts and views merging together, making brand new ideas.
• Chinese General Lin wrote famous quotes showing how he served the people, while always following his rules.