A Report On The Translation Of Astrology And Traditional Culture From The Perspective Of Relevance Theory

Cultural "going out" is essential to prompt a country’s comprehensive national strength and international status.In the context of globalization,translation serves as an important bridge for Chinese culture to go out.Chinese classics contain a wealth of traditional Chinese culture.Their translation should be an important carrier for Chinese culture to go global.Ancient China was a world leader for a long time in astronomy.With her other great achievements in science and technology,China can show the world her past scientific glory of the nation.Analyzing and translating astronomical science and technology classics plays a vital role in the spread of Chinese culture.Guided by relevance theory,the translator translates the second chapter of Astrology and Traditional Culture written by Jiang Xiaoyuan.The selected chapter describes the ancients’ recognition and assumption when they observe astronomical phenomenon and has a positive effect on the understanding of the traditional Chinese culture and comparing the difference between Chinese thought on astronomy and its western counterpart.The translator illustrates the translation practice from the perspective of relevance theory to analyze the role of relevance theory in translating astronomical science and technology classics.This report consists of five chapters.Chapter one introduces the background,purpose and significance of the translation task as well as the author and content of the source text.Chapter two describes the translation process.Chapter three explains firstly the development of Chinese astronomical science and technology classics as well as its English translation,and secondly the concept and development of relevance theory.Chapter four analyses the translation at lexical,syntactic and textual levels respectively in light of relevance theory.The last chapter is a conclusion of the report,where the translator sums up the different strategies and methods adopted in the translation of astronomical classics: at lexical level,free translation of terminologies,transliteration of proper words with annotation;at syntactic level,adaptation to passive voices,addition of predicate verb;and at textual level,substitutes for redundancy and addition of connectives.The application of these translation strategies and methods can retain the cultural connotation of the Chinese classics and convey the astronomical achievement and thought in ancient China to target readers.