A Report On E-C Translation Of Navigating Sleeplessness

In recent years,insomnia has emerged as a significant issue confronting modern society.Consequently,an increasing number of popular science publications are being produced to disseminate relevant knowledge to the public in an accessible manner,with many of these works originating from foreign languages.The translation of such materials holds significant value in addressing this problem and aiding Chinese readers in improving their sleep quality and overall well-being.Additionally,the translation market is witnessing a growing demand for high-quality translations of these texts,ensuring the accurate conveyance of information contained within these books.This report is based on an English-Chinese translation project commissioned by the Mental Health Education Center of the UESTC.The project focuses on the translation of the book Navigating Sleeplessness as the source text.This popular science manual aims to present scientific knowledge about sleep and provide practical solutions to sleeprelated issues.The source text effectively balances scientificity and popularity.In terms of scientific accuracy,it incorporates a wide range of scientific terminology and utilizes pronouns to convey complex concepts.The use of intricate sentence structures enhances logical coherence,ensuring a tight and coherent progression of ideas within the text.Moreover,the source text also prioritizes accessibility for readers.It employs captivating headings to engage readers’ attention and presents concise and clear recommendations.Additionally,the skillful use of metaphors throughout the text enhances its readability,making the content more engaging and understandable for a wide audience.The report adopts Hans Vermeer’s Skopos theory as a guiding translation theory,which explores its significance in translating popular science texts and provide reference translation methods.Skopos theory,as the core of German functionalist translation theory,encompasses three fundamental rules: the Skopos rule,the Coherence rule,and the Fidelity rule.These rules are interconnected in a hierarchical manner,with the Skopos rule occupying the highest position.The Skopos rule emphasizes the selection of the most suitable translation method based on the intended function of the target text within the target language and culture.The Coherence rule emphasizes the readability of the translation within the target culture,while the Fidelity rule underscores the connection between the translation and the source text.These three rules align with the requirements set by the initiator of this translation project and are well-suited for the characteristics of the source text.Throughout this translation project,the author considers both intratextual and intertextual factors of the source text from the perspective of the three rules of Skopos theory,aiming to achieve a harmonious balance between scientific accuracy and accessibility in the translation.Adhering to the Coherence rule under the Skopos rule,the author employs various translation techniques,such as annotating technical terms,omitting pronouns,restructuring long and complex sentences,and adding logical connectives,to accurately,objectively,and logically convey scientific information.Furthermore,following the Fidelity rule under the Skopos rule,the author utilizes translation strategies like compensating for the operative titles,preposing key word in consecutive instructions and removing metaphors,to attract and guide readers in a straightforward and clear manner.