A Report On The Translation Of History Of The Roman Empire(Part Two,Chapter 7)

This is a report on the translation of History of the Roman Empire written by Thomas Keightly,which consists of 21 chapters in three parts.Based on political,cultural,military,religious and other aspects,this book narrates the history from the establishment of the Roman Empire in 27 BC to the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 AC.Chapter 7,part 2 of this book is selected as the source text of this translation report.The source text expounds the origin and development of the Christian church during the Roman Empire.According to the history of early Christianity,the writer objectively and impartially analyses the causes and detailed process of the great persecution.Although the early Christians were both ostracized by the public and persecuted by the Roman emperors,the church was still increasingly spread.With the growth of the Christian church,theological disputes gradually arose and heretical sects led by Gnostics gradually emerged.Therefore,the writer discusses the doctrine of Gnosticism and various heretical sects in details,such as the Ebionites,Montanus and the system of Valentine.Finally,the writer narrates the hierarchy of the Christian church and its management and doctrine.The source text,written in precise and concise language,involves many historical events,complicated religious doctrines and abstract philosophical thoughts,which make it difficult to understand and translate.Therefore,“the Three Principles of Translation” proposed by A.F.Tytler is employed as the theoretical guidance,and some translation skills such as diction,addition,free translation,conversion are mainly used to solve problems in this translation practice.Such efforts were made in order to make the target text faithful to the source text,same in style and ease in reading.Through this translation practice,the author of this report has benefited a lot.Searching for background knowledge and reading parallel texts indeed broadened her vision and knowledge.Furthermore,the author realizes that translation requires not only translation abilities and skills,but also an earnest,studious and pragmatic attitude,and also learned that only by constantly striving for better translation can she lay a solid foundation for becoming a translator in the future.