1、 Text AThings People Say About Translation David BellosLearningLearning ObjectivesObjectives Critical ThinkingCommunicative Competence Intercultural CompetenceAutonomous learning Communicative Competence Critical Thinking LearningLearning ObjectivesObjectives Learn the expressions Bellos uses to des
2、cribe famous translation deceptions Illustrate points with appropriate examples and anecdotes Learn to use concession,a commonly used literary device Distinguish between opinions and facts Explore implications and consequences of translation for the literary world Interpret and evaluate different pe
3、rspectives of looking at translation Intercultural Competence LearningLearning ObjectivesObjectives Compare Chinese and English in relation to the two cultures Understand obstacles in translation caused by cultural differences Understand similarities and differences across cultures Be able to check
4、achievement or progress in various ways Use reference books/materials Critically evaluate and validate information from the Internet Autonomous learning:Lead inLead in In this unit,we are going to explore the world of translation.On the one hand,translation seems to be so straightforward that anybod
5、y equipped with two languages can have a go.On the other hand,translation can also be such a daunting task that it seems to be beyond humans intellectual capacity.Have you ever wondered about the reasons behind this seeming contradiction?1.About the authorBackground KnowledgeBackground Knowledge Dav
6、id Bellos is an established scholar in the American literary world.He is also a translator himself.He was educated at Oxford and teaches French and Comparative Literature at Princeton,where he also directs the Program in Translation and Intercultural Communication.Background KnowledgeBackground Know
7、ledgeMajor research interests：David Bellos is a professor of comparative literature,translator and researcher of intercultural communication.He also wrote a number of award-winning literary biographies and an introduction to translation studies,Is That a Fish in Your Ear?Translation and the Meaning
8、of Everything,which is the source of Text A.Background KnowledgeBackground KnowledgeMajor translation works:His translation career is largely focused on works by George Perec,Ismail Kadare,and Fred Vargas.His translation of Ismail Kadres works won him the Man Booker International Prize for translati
9、on in 2005.Background KnowledgeBackground Knowledge2.Is That a Fish in Your Ear?Translation and the Meaning of EverythingThe book Is That a Fish in Your Ear?Translation and the Meaning of Everything can be found at Amazon and other online bookstores,with a preview of contents and sample chapters.As
10、mentioned in his prologue,Bellos does not want to write about how to translate or how he translates.Background KnowledgeBackground KnowledgeIn this book,he writes about a series of examples and arguments that circle around what seems to him to be the real issueunderstanding what translation does.He
11、starts the book with the inquiry into the definition of translation.Then he asks what we can learn from translation and what else we need to learn about translation,as well as topics relating to literary translation.continuedBackground KnowledgeBackground KnowledgeOverall,Bellos is an insightful and
12、 reflective thinker,as borne out(证实)by the following quotations:The practice of translation rests on two presuppositions.The first is that we are all different we speak different tongues and see the world in ways that are deeply influenced by the particular features of the tongue that we speak.The s
13、econd is that we are all the same that we can share the same broad and narrow kinds of feelings,information,understandings,and so forth.Without both of these suppositions,translation could not exist.continuedBackground KnowledgeBackground KnowledgeThe more profound his thought is reflected in the tw
14、o one-sentence paragraphs that immediately follow the passage above:Nor could anything we would like to call social life.Translation is another name for the human condition.continuedBackground KnowledgeBackground Knowledge3.The Prix Goncourt,a French literary prizePrix Goncourt(法国)龚古尔文学奖)is a French
15、 literary prize,one of the most important in France.It was first conceived in 1867 by the brothers Edmond and Jules de Goncourt,and created in 1903 by a bequest(遗产)of Edmond that established the Acadmie Goncourt,a literary society of 10 members(none of whom may also be a member of the Acadmie Franai
16、se)whose chief duty is to select the winner.Background KnowledgeBackground KnowledgeAlong with a monetary award,the prize confers recognition on the author of an outstanding work of imaginative prose each year;novels are preferred.This task bears significance in referring students to literary prizes
17、 other than those of the English world,expanding their horizon and counterbalancing the influence of the Anglo-American content in their perception of foreign literary world.continuedBackground KnowledgeBackground Knowledge4.The translation history of the BibleJohn Wycliffe(1330-1384)promoted the fi
18、rst complete translation of the Bible into English.Martin Luther(1483-1546)translated the Bible into German.Their efforts to translate were made to force the church to give up its worldly possessions and/or political powers.However,reformers were not the only group of people who translated the Bible
19、.Background KnowledgeBackground KnowledgeThe European colonists translated the Bible into the languages of the native people in colonies,in order to serve their colonial purposes.As a quote often misattributed to Tutu goes,“When the missionaries came to Africa they had the Bible and we had the land.
20、They said Let us pray.We closed our eyes.When we opened them,we had the Bible and they had the land.“continuedBackground KnowledgeBackground KnowledgeIn circumstances where people talk about the Bible in colonial era,they may split into believer camps and nonbeliever camps,with believers vying(争夺)fo
21、r the assumed“calling”of the missionaries while nonbelievers crying indignantly for native peoples justice.Should such things happen,you have to tell them that they are having a scholarly discussion on historical facts only,not playing the game of moral arbiters.continuedPart SectionPara(s).I1 Intro
22、duction:popular but fallacious sayings1 A well-known fiction2 Well-known facts are actually wrong.Text Structure3 Popular sayings are not necessarily true.Text AnalysisText AnalysisDetailed AnalysisEvaluation and explorationText Structure4 Fallacious sayings seem useful.5 Teachers assertion concerni
23、ng translation,although not necessarily truthful,is useful for other purposes.Part SectionPara(s).I2 Why is there the saying that translation is no substitute for the original?6 Reviewers parrot the assertion due to their lack of words.Text AnalysisText AnalysisDetailed AnalysisEvaluation and explor
24、ationText Structure7 The assertion seems to empower the speaker.8 Ambiguity of substitute:take the place of;be as good as9 To make the assertion,one must be able to appreciate original as opposed to a translation.Part SectionPara(s).II311 Fingal was actually original.10 It is not easy to tell transl
25、ation apart from original.Text AnalysisText AnalysisDetailed AnalysisEvaluation and explorationText Structure13 The Letters of a Portuguese Nun,passing for translation,was actually original.14 Andre Makines first novels,passing for translation,were actually original.Translation can indeed substitute
26、 the original,as borne out by so many examples.Or,It is very difficult to tell translation from original,as borne out by so many examples.12 The Castle of Otranto,passing for translation,was actually original.15 Pseudo-translations are hard to kill off simply because of readers self-confidence in te
27、lling translation from originals.16 There are almost as many translations pass for originals.17 It is difficult to tell translations from originals.Part SectionPara(s).II4 Translation can be as goodas originals.5 It is hard to live withouttranslation.18 The assertion is challenged.Text AnalysisText
28、AnalysisDetailed AnalysisEvaluation and explorationText Structure19 Translations can be as good as originals,as borne out by many famous examples.20 Translation can be as good as original,as borne out by Ismail Kadare.21 Despite the stubborn assertion,it is impossible for one to do away with transla
29、tion.1.In Para.1,Bellos mentions a“well-known fact.”Do you think that he really takes it as a fact?Why or why not?Please find evidence in the next two paragraphs to support your judgement.No,he does not really think it is a fact.We can find evidence in his arguments against it in the following parag
30、raphs.In Para.1,Bellos makes a factual claim,which can be true and it can also be false.(Para.1)Section I Comprehension CheckSection I Section IISection IIISection IVDetailed Analysis Section V2.Why does Bellos quote the three sayings in Para.3?Bellos quotes the three sayings in order to illustrate
31、the point that some sayings are useful but they are not necessarily true,which suggests the famous saying concerning translation can well be one of them.(Para.3)Section I Section IISection IIISection IVDetailed Analysis Section V3.In Para.5,Bellos analyzes an imagined situation where a teacher tells
32、 the students that translation cannot substitute the original.What is Bellos purpose in doing so?He does the analysis in order to show that one may utter this saying for other factors than an aesthetic one.(Para.5)Section I Section IISection IIISection IVDetailed Analysis Section V Section I Word St
33、udy1.substitute(Para.1,line 1)n.a person or thing that you use or have instead of the one you normally use or have 代替者；代替物；代用品 for sb./sth.e.g.Pauls father only saw him as a substitute for his dead brother.保罗的父亲只是把保罗当作他死去的哥哥来看待。Section I Section IISection IIISection IVDetailed Analysis Section V2.pe
34、rfectly(Para.2,line 1)1)completely 完全地；非常；十分e.g.Its perfectly normal to feel like this.有这样的感觉是完全正常的。2)in a perfect way 完美地；完好地；圆满地e.g.The TV works perfectly now.这台电视机现在状况好极了Section I Section IISection IIISection IVDetailed Analysis Section V3.place(Para.2,line 2)1)in the place of 在位置，地方2)in place of
35、 sb./sth.,in sb.s/sth.s place instead of sb./sth.代替；顶替 e.g.You can use milk in place of cream in this recipe.3)fall/slot into placeif plicated or difficult to understand falls or slots into place,it becomes organized or clear in your mind 明朗化；清晰；理出头绪Section I Section IISection IIISection IVDetailed
36、Analysis Section V4.folk wisdom(Para.3,line 2)folk science/psychology/wisdom etc.science etc.that is based on the ideas or beliefs that ordinary people have,and does not involve a high level of technical knowledge 民间科学/心理学/智慧等Section I Section IISection IIISection IVDetailed Analysis Section V5.crim
37、e doesnt pay(Para.3,line 2)used to say that crime does not give you any advantage,because you will be caught and punished used when warning people not to get involved in crime 犯罪没有好处（用于警告人们不要犯罪）Section I Section IISection IIISection IVDetailed Analysis Section V6.fly in the face of sth.(Para.3,line
38、3)to oppose or be the opposite of sth.that is usual or expected 悍然不顾；公然违抗；与相悖e.g.Such a proposal is flying in the face of common sense.这个建议违反常识。Section I Section IISection IIISection IVDetailed Analysis Section V7.mafioso(Para.3,line 4)/mfis/mfioso/n.(plural Mafiosi/mfisi/mfiosi/)a member of the Maf
39、ia 黑手党成员Section I Section IISection IIISection IVDetailed Analysis Section V8.bask(Para.3,line 4)I (in sth.)to enjoy sitting or lying in the heat or light of sth.,especially the sun 晒太阳；取暖e.g.We sat basking in the warm sunshine.bask in sth.to enjoy the good feelings that you have when other people p
40、raise or admire you,or when they give you a lot of attention 沉浸，沐浴（在赞美、关注等中）e.g.He had always basked in his parents attention.Section I Section IISection IIISection IVDetailed Analysis Section V9.Riviera(Para.3,line 4)an area by the sea that is warm and popular for holidays,especially the Mediterran
41、ean coast of France 海滨度假胜地（尤指法国的地中海海滨）e.g.the French Riviera 法国的里维埃拉地区Section I Section IISection IIISection IVDetailed Analysis Section V10.drizzle(Para.3,line 4)/drzl/1)U,sing.light fine rain 毛毛细雨adj.drizzlye.g.a dull,drizzly morning 阴雨蒙蒙的早上2)I when it is drizzling,it is raining lightly 下毛毛雨；下蒙蒙细雨
42、 T sth.(over sth.)to pour a small amount of liquid over the surface of sth.（毛毛雨似的）洒落SYN dribbleSection I Section IISection IIISection IVDetailed Analysis Section V11.get out(Para.3,line 5)to become known 泄露；被人知道 e.g.If this gets out therell be trouble.这事要是被人知道就麻烦了get sth.out1)to produce or publish s
43、th.生产；发表；出版 e.g.Will we get the book out by the end of the year?2)to say sth.with difficulty 困难地说出；勉强地说 e.g.She managed to get out a few words of thanks.Section I Section IISection IIISection IVDetailed Analysis Section V12.adage(Para.3,line 5)/dd/n.a well-known phrase expressing a general truth abo
44、ut people or the world 谚语；格言SYN sayingSection I Section IISection IIISection IVDetailed Analysis Section V12.serve to (Para.3,line 6)I,T to have a particular effect or result 产生的效果（或结果）as sth.e.g.The judge said the punishment would serve as a warning to others.to do sth.e.g.The attack was unsuccessf
45、ul and served only to alert the enemy.Section I Section IISection IIISection IVDetailed Analysis Section V13.console(Para.3,line 6)to give comfort or sympathy to sb.who is unhappy or disappointed 安慰；抚慰；慰藉SYN comfort sb./yourself sb./yourself with sth.e.g.Console yourself with the thought that you di
46、d your best.你可以安慰自己的是你已经尽了最大的努力。Section I Section IISection IIISection IVDetailed Analysis Section V14.forensic(Para.3,line 8)/frensk/adj.only before nounconnected with the scientific tests used by the police when trying to solve a crime 法医的e.g.forensic evidence/medicine/science/tests 法医证据学科学检验 the
47、forensic laboratory 法医检验室 a forensic pathologist 法医病理学家Section I Section IISection IIISection IVDetailed Analysis Section V15.trap(Para.3,last line)IDM to fall into/avoid the trap of doing sth.to do/avoid doing sth.that is a mistake but which seems at first to be a good idea 掉进避免掉进陷阱e.g.Parents ofte
48、n fall into the trap of trying to do everything for their children.家长经常陷入极力为子女操办一切的误区。Section I Section IISection IIISection IVDetailed Analysis Section V16.filch(Para.4,line 1)/flt/v.sth.(informal)to steal sth.,especially sth.small or not very valuable 偷（尤指小的或不贵重的物品）SYN pinchSection I Section IISec
49、tion IIISection IVDetailed Analysis Section V17.steer(Para.4,line 3)T sth.+adv./prep.to take control of a situation and influence the way in which it develops 操纵；控制；引导e.g.He managed to steer the conversation away from his divorce.他设法避开他离婚这话题。She steered the team to victory.她率领全队取得胜利。Section I Sectio
50、n IISection IIISection IVDetailed Analysis Section V18.admonish(Para.5,line 3)/dmn/v.(formal)1)sb.(for sth./for doing sth.)|+speech to tell sb.firmly that you do not approve of sth.that they have done 责备；告诫；警告SYN reprovee.g.She was admonished for chewing gum in class.2)sb.(to do sth.)to strongly adv
