The Help of Parallel Texts in Translation

In "Non-Literary Translation," Professor Li Changshuan defines parallel texts as follows: parallel texts originally refer to original texts and their translations that are placed side by side and can be read sentence by sentence. Collecting numerous parallel texts and organizing them according to certain standards forms a parallel corpus. These materials can be specialized articles, entries from encyclopedias, or even explanations and example sentences from dictionaries. This is the narrow definition of parallel texts. In a broader sense, parallel texts also include translated materials that are similar in content to the original text, primarily used for a deeper understanding of the original. In simple terms, parallel texts are any reference materials that are close to the content of the original.

The importance of parallel texts for translation is also mentioned in the book "New German-Chinese Translation Course," which states that translation proficiency needs to be continuously improved through the comparison of parallel texts. So, what benefits can we derive from learning through parallel texts?

First, the parallel texts in the target language have very high reference value. These texts are often written by native speakers, so both the expressions and word choices in the text highly conform to the linguistic habits of the target language, which can be challenging for foreign language learners to grasp immediately. Therefore, with the reference of parallel texts, the fluency and smoothness of the translation can be effectively enhanced. Second, translators often encounter some specialized vocabulary or idioms that are difficult to handle; these expressions often arise due to cultural differences and may not exist in the target country, making it inappropriate to translate them directly. In this case, we can refine the translation by referring to corresponding expressions found in parallel texts, resulting in more accurate expression in the translation. This point has left a deep impression on me. During the COVID-19 pandemic, there were overwhelming reports related to the pandemic worldwide. When I began translating documents on the pandemic, I found many newly emerged buzzwords in Chinese reports, while the corresponding German expressions had also just started to appear. At that time, many unfamiliar words found in parallel texts became exactly the expressions we needed.

Moreover, in German, there are various ways to express the same meaning, which can be quite challenging for foreign language learners to judge accurately. While we might know how to convey this meaning, we may not be able to determine which expression is most suitable for a particular context. By reading more parallel texts, we can understand which vocabulary or sentence structures are commonly used when expressing a certain idea. With continuous accumulation, the accuracy of our translations will gradually improve.

Finally, while browsing through parallel texts, we often encounter a wealth of foreign language information related to the topic at hand. This information can greatly supplement our understanding of the subject, helping us better process and respond when we next encounter that topic.

In summary, the effective use of parallel texts offers numerous benefits for enhancing our translation skills. Of course, parallel texts are still just one learning resource; more importantly, we need to continuously accumulate knowledge and practice in our daily lives.

◀️：An Analysis of Methods for Finding Parallel Texts from the Perspective of Translating Film Shooting Tutorials

▶️：Parallel texts in translation