A Report On Translating Reflection On Catastrophic Tsunami And Two Other Pieces Of Chinese Science Prose

Born in1957, Yang Wenfeng is a science prose writer, a member of Chinese WritersAssociation, as well as an engaged writer of Guangdong Writers Association. Awarded thesecond prize in the fifth National Elite Popular Science Essays Election in2003, hismasterpiece Anecdotes of the Nature was edited into Chinese teaching materials for seniorhigh school students in Shanghai during2002, and for the national technical secondary schoolstudents in2005. Additionally, it was also selected for the online secondary school Chinesecourses in Hong Kong.My translation task targets some selections in Anecdotes of the Nature, includingReflection on Catastrophic Tsunami (《海殇后的沉思》), Weep beyond Sorrow (《流泪不仅仅因为悲伤》),and On Apples (《苹果问题碎笔》). The number of Chinese characters in thesource texts amounts to15,378, which is suitable for an in-depth translation report.The distinguishing features of Reflection on Catastrophic Tsunami primarily lie in itsliterary quality. On one hand, this science prose probes into the cause of this great catastrophictsunami; on the other hand, the article promotes our awareness of the significance ofsafeguarding our living environment. Weep beyond Sorrow tells us some moving storiesrelated to the2008Wenchuan Earthquake. On Apples introduces some natural features ofapples, their symbolic significance, and relevant fables.Of high literary value, Anecdotes of the Nature presents the natural phenomenon in a vividfashion. Translating such works of literary value is more challenging than translating ordinarydocuments. Also, this translation task helps me improve my translating skills a lot. Last butnot least, translation theories lay a solid foundation for a scientific process of translating.