Translating Global Awareness in English-Chinese Translation

Translation is a technical skill that requires translators to master two languages completely, as well as possess diverse knowledge and common sense. When translating, using Trados can facilitate many aspects of our work. However, Trados has a drawback in that it tends to divide text into many small sentence units, making it easy for novice translators to focus on individual trees and miss the forest, thus overlooking the context during translation. Moreover, in addition to clarifying grammar, translators must also possess general life knowledge and understand the background of the original text. In translation, it is crucial for translators to have global awareness, not just focusing on individual sentences but considering the entire passage.

For example:

1. Also, in some cases, the brightness on LCD monitors may still be set too high to achieve an accurate preview of what your images will look like when printed.

Original Translation: Similarly, in some cases, the brightness of the LCD monitor may still be set too high to achieve an accurate preview of the image when printing.

Revised Translation: Similarly, in some cases, the brightness of the LCD monitor may still be set too high, preventing an accurate preview of the image when printing.

Analysis: The translator overlooked the use of "too… to…," but with a bit more attention to the context, this basic error could have been avoided.

2. Pay attention to the context

For instance:

Clinical findings associated with increasing maternal serum levels of magnesium

Original Translation: Clinical findings associated with increasing magnesium levels in pregnant women's serum

This translation may seem confusing, but looking at the following context – a table with Serum magnesium levels on the left and Clinical findings on the right – helps us easily understand the meaning of the sentence.

Reference Translation: Clinical manifestations associated with increased serum magnesium levels in pregnant women

3. Understand the meanings of abbreviations

Many translators tend to keep abbreviations without translating them if they are not understood. While this is generally safe, understanding the meanings of abbreviations is essential to avoid errors in translation, such as interpreting verbs as nouns or mismatching modifiers.

Example:

The NOs and the RN i/c Triage Station are the authorized persons to prescribe Paracetamol according to the above guidelines.

Original Translation: NOs and RN i/c Triage Station are authorized to prescribe Paracetamol according to the above guidelines.

In fact, NO = Nursing Officer, RN = Registered Nurse, i/c = in charge. Understanding these abbreviations helps ensure a correct translation.

Reference Translation: The Nursing Officer and Registered Nurse in charge of the Triage Station are authorized to prescribe Paracetamol according to the above guidelines.

4. Consider the reasonableness of interpretation in translation

NO synthesis is reduced, by reduction of NO synthetase activity

Original Translation: The reduction of enzyme activity does not reduce NO synthesis

The translator misunderstood NO as "no," which renders the English sentence nonsensical. Here, NO should stand for nitric oxide.

Reference Translation: Reduction of nitric oxide synthase activity leads to decreased nitric oxide synthesis

In conclusion, when translating, it is essential to consider the perspective of readers who do not understand the source language. Without looking at the original text, read through the translation to check for any traces of translationese, fluency, or areas that may be difficult to comprehend. Translating an article as a system can help avoid basic errors and produce a more readable translated text.

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