A Translation Report On Cosmetic Formulation Of Skin Care Products(Excerpt)under The Guidance Of Translator Behavior Criticism

This translation practice report is based on Cosmetic Formulation of Skin Care Products,a science text compiled by Zoe Diana Draelos,a renowned American dermatologist,and Lauren A Thaman,a beauty expert from P&G Co.Ltd.There are many significant characteristics of this kind of text.At lexical level,it contains many specialized words and abbreviations.In addition to specialized terms,there are also some common words which contain specialized meanings.At syntactic level,a large number of long and complex sentences are frequently used,such as passive sentences,attributive clauses and noun clauses.Therefore,how to translate the specialized words and sentence professionally and accurately,and how to have scientific,practical and generally acceptable translation are challenges we need to face when translating science texts.This report will discuss the characteristics of the original text and the difficulties in the translation process under the guidance of the "truth-seeking-utility-attaining evaluative model of the continuum" of the Theory of Translator behavior Criticism and explore how to make the translation scientific,practical and acceptable.After analyzing the original text and the translation,the author reaches the following conclusions:Firstly,"truth-seeking",is mainly focused at the lexical level.(1)Literal translation method is mostly employed to achieve both scientificality and popularity in the translation of specialized cosmetic terms;(2)the method of literal translation is also preferable in the translation of common words with specialized meaning;(3)free translation method is usually chosen according to the context in the translation of common words without specialized meaning;and(4)when translating abbreviations,translators can use translation methods such as zero translation,literal translation and annotation.Secondly,a balance between "truth-seeking" and"utility-attaining" policy is taken into account at the syntactic level.(1)When translating passive sentences,translators can adopt the following methods:transforming the passive sentence into an active sentence by adding the subject;turning the passive sentence into one active in form but passive in meaning;or maintaining their original passive form;(2)when translating attributive clauses,translators can use transforming strategies:the original attributive clauses are turned,in different contexts,into pre-modifiers,adverbial clauses,or independent sentences;and(3)in the translation of noun clauses,frequently adopted methods include changing the order of the words,omitting the formal subject,or shifting the subordinate clause to the beginning as a subject.