Common Sense Issues in French Translation

In the context of Chinese-French translation, there are often times when we need to rely on common sense acquired from daily life to translate the text. One scenario involves common knowledge about French culture, which covers various aspects and often includes specific terms. This kind of knowledge is cultivated through cultural immersion and requires long-term accumulation through extensive reading. Another scenario pertains to common rational knowledge, where the text is not solely related to French culture but extends to other fields. At times, there may be specialized or uncommon terms, leading to hasty translations. The most effective approach to address these issues is to search for words on a search engine to determine their actual meanings, and if necessary, use images or related clues to help clarify the true meaning of the sentence.

To analyze the first scenario, let's consider the following examples:

1. "Les bleus viennent de remporter la Coupe du monde, l’identité nationale du peuple français a atteint un niveau sans précédent."

2. "Bien que des années de combats aient laisse beaucoup de souffrance au peuple, le Roi Soleil n’est toujours pas satisfait du territoire de son royaume."

The Chinese translations of these sentences are as follows:

1. "法国队刚刚赢得了世界杯，法国的民族自豪感空前高涨."

2. "虽然连年征战让百姓民不聊生，‘太阳王’路易十四对他的王国的疆域仍不满足."

In the first sentence, "les bleus" specifically refers to the French football or rugby team, as the French team's uniforms typically feature blue as the primary color. Without knowing the context of the sentence, it is uncertain whether it refers to the football or rugby team, so translating it directly as "法国队" (French team) suffices. Another common representation of the French team in sports is "Le Coq," the Gallic Rooster, a self-designation that has historical origins in France but is now primarily used in sports, serving as the national team's emblem.

In the second sentence, "le Roi Soleil" refers to the famous "Sun King" Louis XIV. While some claim this title was self-proclaimed by Louis XIV, historically, there are no exact records of its origin. Translating it directly as "太阳王" (Sun King) may pose difficulties for readers unfamiliar with French history, so adding "路易十四" (Louis XIV) would be more appropriate.

The second scenario involves specialized knowledge hidden beneath common sense, where seemingly simple words have specific meanings within certain fields. It can be challenging to provide examples for this scenario, as it requires a broad understanding of various areas of knowledge or seeking assistance from professionals and specialized dictionaries.

◀️：The Importance of Common Sense in Translation

▶️：Russian-Chinese Translation: Addition and Omission of Words