Translation Techniques for Long and Complex English Sentences

The differences between English and Chinese sentences are as follows: written English tends to have longer sentences, while Chinese generally has shorter ones. English sentences have a tighter structure, often using a subject-predicate form, with various postpositional modifiers (prepositional phrases, infinitive phrases, gerund phrases, participial phrases, and clauses) contributing to the length of sentences; in contrast, Chinese sentences have a looser structure, relying more on coordination. People with translation experience have metaphorically likened English sentence structures to "grapes" and Chinese sentence structures to "bamboo knots." When translating long sentences, it can be helpful to break down the complex English structures into simpler Chinese structures.

The differences in word order between English and Chinese are as follows: English allows for flexibility in time order (temporal clauses can come before or after the main clause), while Chinese typically follows a chronological order. English also allows for flexibility in logical order (causal or conditional clauses can come before or after the main clause), whereas Chinese generally follows a cause-effect sequence. The syntactic structures of English noun clauses (subject clauses, predicative clauses, object clauses, appositive clauses) align closely with the subject-verb-object order in Chinese sentences, allowing for a similar expression in translation.

There are several methods for translating complex English sentences, including the sequential method, reverse order method, segmented translation method, and comprehensive method. The sequential method involves translating in the original order if the time sequence, logical sequence, and noun clause order align with Chinese syntax. The reverse order method is used when the English sentence order differs from Chinese syntax. The segmented translation method involves breaking down long phrases and clauses in English sentences into shorter units to match Chinese expression norms. The comprehensive method combines elements of the sequential, reverse order, and segmented approaches for effective translation.

In terms of morphological changes, English places emphasis on form and sentence coherence, requiring complete structures and coherent meaning. Western languages, as Wang Li pointed out, follow strict rules in sentence structure. Therefore, English sentences must adhere to grammar rules and use various linguistic devices to connect words and phrases effectively. English follows a subject-verb framework, with many components linked around the core subject-verb structure, creating complex yet cohesive sentences. Understanding the core subject-verb structure is essential for analyzing and comprehending lengthy and intricate English sentences.

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