A Report On The Translation Of The Vanishing Chinese Ancient Civilization: The Ancient Folks

This is a translation practice report about the Vanishing Chinese Ancient Civilization: Ancient Folks(Ancient Folks in short)written by Zhang Boshan and Zhang Weixia. Zhang Boshan graduated from Naikai University and now he is a research librarian there. His works includes Integration of China’s Natural and Cultural Landscape and Journey about Chinese Folks and so on. The Ancient Folks expounds Chinese old folks and customs, coupled with beautiful drawings and simple language. It sketches lots of vivid local customs and practices. Besides, the book introduces the origin, spreading, and impact of customs and folks in simple words.The report contains three parts. Part One is the Introduction which introduces the information of the translation material including its content, authors, and the authors’ works. Besides it also involves the goals and influence of the translation, etc.Part Two is the main body, consisting of three chapters.Chapter One is the description of the translation practice including the characteristics of the original text and the features of the translation. Besides, the criteria: Faithfulness, Expressiveness, Elegance are also in this section. Consequently, the translator should master rich language skills and knowledge.Chapter Two is the preparation and process of the translation, such as reference books before translating, being familiar with the original text, etc. While the translator completes the practice, revision is the most important. Only the revised and improved translation can express the original text more authentically and be more close to the author’s intention. Revision not only needs the translator herself revise the text, but others’ opinions.Chapter Three illustrates the problems while translating, and puts up with solutions by cases. For example, how to combine many short sentences into a long structured sentence? How to deal with the repeated clauses and pronouns? In order to do with the problems, the translator mentions omission, free translation, word conversion, amplification. What’s more, the enlightenment and experience from the translating practice are also in this part.Part Three is the Conclusion, introducing the difficulties and key points in simple words; summarizing the techniques and methods in translation. The translator understands the differences between Chinese and English, and different writing skills deeply. Besides, as a professional student and translator, she should have a solid Chinese, and remorseless patience and determination so that he can be a qualified translator. At last, the translator must keep Yan Fu’s words: Faithfulness, Expressiveness, Elegance in mind. Or the translation cannot appeal the readers’ attention no matter how excellent it is.