My Thoughts After Reading Robinson Crusoe

Robinson Crusoe is the masterpiece of Daniel Defoe，who is one of the founders of English novel. He wrote this novel at the age of 59.Actuallly, I have read the Korean Translation Services version of Robinson Crusoe more than three times when I was in my middle school but what I felt pity was that I had never read the English version of it with patience and my whole attention. To recapture the soul-stirring days in the harsh island, I opened the book again 3weeks ago and thoughts about the book filled up mind in recent days.

There is a saying that God helps those who help themselves. Robinson said: “I will try my best to survive the tongan translation. I will not be drowned as long as I can paddle; I will not fall down as long as I still stand up…… .” No one can rescue us in such desperate situation except for ourselves. Hardly can we gain the opportunity to live in a desolate island alone like Robinson, but the courage to challenge destiny is necessary for everyone of us in the competitive surroundings. I asked myself what would I do if I was lost in such a harsh island. I’m not requiring survive like Robinson without any food and tools, but I am wondering how many days can I endure the loneliness, fear and desperation. I know what I should gain is the optimistic attitude towards life.

Sentence structure difference between Chinese and English

English and Chinese are two different languages, there are quite differences when expressing, it will have some positive effects if we understand the difference when translating,and how to minimize the negative effect caused by these differences in Korean Translation Services translation, by analyzing a lot of examples. English and Chinese belong to entirely different language systems (Indo-European vs. Sino-Tibetan). Not surprisingly, there are vast differences between the two. Sentence structure is one of the areas in which great differences exist. This paper examines and analyzes these differences from the following four prospectives,Then proposals are offered as to how to bridge the gap in the above aspects in translation (mainly from English into Chinese).

1 Chinese (Topic-Prominent language), English (Subject-Prominent language)
 Let’s start from the first few sentences
1． What happened when I was crying, I can’t remember clearly.
2． The book I have already read.
3． The job I took up this summer vacation I like very much.。

Even if the words, grammar haven’t the obvious problems, but it’s not so authentic when we read. Obviously, the three sentences above are not in line with the Arabic Translation Service, but why such sentences appeared? That’s because our people influenced by mother tongue when writing. Chinese is a Topic oriented language (Topic-Prominent language), while English is a subject oriented language (Subject-Prominent language)
This means the “subject” are mostly related with topics in Chinese sentences. The role of the predicate is to make narrative comments about the topic. Due to our expression habit, here comes out sentence 1, sentence 2, sentence 3. So how to modify to meet the tongan translation expression way? We can amend the sentences as follows
I can’t remember clearly what happened when I was crying.
I have already read the book.
I like the job I took up this summer vacation.

2 English is  form (hypotactic) language, Chinese is consensual (paratactic) language
“Nida” American translation theorist once said: “The most important difference between Chinese and English is the contrast between form and consensual.” So-called “form language” refers to the use of conjunctions (coordinating conjunction and, but , or other, or subordinating conjunction that, who, when, if, etc.) to express the logical relationship between sentence elements or sentences; while “consensual” refers to use context to reflect the logical relationship between sentences not by conjunctions.
For example: “You come, and I left.”, Translated into English is “If you come, I’ll go.” Or “When you come, I’ll go” and so on. Here English sentence expressed the logic relationship using conjunction which hiding in Chinese.
So we should express the hidden logical relationship between sentence components or sentence when translate Chinese to English, herein to mater the conjunction becomes particularly important.

3 The objective and subjective tend between English and Chinese
We always use a alive person or animal as the subject in Chinese, obviously there was a clear subjective tendency by using active voice. English often use inanimate things as subject, so passive voice become dominant. When we write the English articles, we usually follow the tendency of Chinese subjective tendency thinking way, we often use “I think”, “we must”, “someone says”, a expression of subjective tendency, but less using inanimate nouns as subject and passive voice.

For example, translate the following sentence into English:

1. We must take proper measures to limit the number of foreign tourists and we should make great efforts to protect local environment and history from the harmful effects of international tourism.
2. Proper measures must be taken to limit the number of foreign tourists and the great efforts should be made to protect local environment and history from the harmful effects of international tourism.
We can easily tell which one is better.
So we should try to use the inanimate nouns as the subject and the passive voice when translating, and get rid of our Chinese speaking habit.

4 As to content, English focus on the start, Chinese focus on the rear
English nation tend to express their views, feelings and attitudes directly, therefore, they always put the important information at the beginning of the sentence, while Chinese handle in an opposite way. This comparison between English and Chinese is mainly reflected in three aspects: In the complex sentence
In English, the main clause is the important information, and secondary information in the subordinate clause. The main clauses are often placed before the secondary clause, that is the focus on the start. The Chinese is generally as per the logical and chronological order, the important information are put on the back, that is the focus on the rear.So while writing the English sentence, remember to put the important information should be placed before the secondary information, try to avoid the interference of Chinese characteristics.

Tips of A Successful Freelance Translator

After completing their translation training programmes at higher professional education or university level, many students can’t wait to set up as a freelance translator. However, gaining a foothold as a freelancer in a very competitive translation market may turn out to be a pretty complicated business. Translation agencies are not usually keen on contracting inexperienced translators, business clients are difficult to find without commercial tools, and the tax authorities won’t just accept anyone as a self-employed person. So what do you need to do to set up shop as a successful Arabic Translation Service translator?

Translation agencies
Most translation agencies are wary of admitting new freelancers into their networks. After all, it takes a while before it really becomes clear whether a freelancer can live up to their expectations: does he/she stick to agreed deadlines, offer a consistent level of quality, consult relevant reference resources, deal effectively with various registers and specialisations (commercial, technical, medical, tongan translation, IT, etc.)? Many translation agencies begin with a ‘trial period’ in which they closely monitor the work submitted by new freelance translators. To reduce the risk of a fiasco – and avoid the associated costs – translation agencies normally only accept applications from freelance translators who have had at least two or three years’ fulltime experience in the translation business.

Business clients
In their attempts to introduce themselves directly to companies, freelancers usually find it difficult to gain access to the people that matter and, once they are there, to secure orders. Companies tend to prefer outsourcing what is hwp translation services to partners that are able to offer comprehensive solutions. They look for agencies that can fill their translation needs in a range of different languages, are always available, can take on specialised texts and have the procedures in place to ensure that all deadlines are met. In view of their need for continuity, capacity and diversity it is hardly surprising that many companies select an all-round translation agency rather than individual freelancers. An agency may be more expensive than a freelancer, but the additional service and quality guarantees justify the extra investment.

Tips to achieve success as a freelance translator
What steps will you need to take after graduation to develop into a successful freelance translator?

1. After completing your studies, it’s best not to present yourself on the market straightaway as a freelance translator, but first to find employment at an all-round translation firm and spend a couple of years there to gain the necessary practical experience. As a salaried employee your income will be less compared to what you might potentially earn in a freelance capacity, but don’t forget that without experience you’re never going to be successful in the first place. In many cases, you will be assigned to a senior translator who revises your translations, monitors your progress, and makes you aware of your strengths and weaknesses. This will enable you to acquire the skills and baggage you need on your way to becoming a professional translator, and will give you the opportunity to experiment with various types of texts and disciplines.

2. If you can’t find a position in paid employment, try to find a post as an (unpaid) trainee. A translation agency may not have the capacity or resources to take on new staff, but it may still be able to offer you an excellent training post to help you gain practical experience in a commercial environment. A traineeship may serve as an effective springboard for a career in the translation business, perhaps even within the same agency that offered the traineeship.

3. After having whetted your skills at a translation agency for a number of years, you may decide that the time has come for you to find your own clients. Ideally, you should move on to a part-time contract so that you have enough time to recruit clients and work for them, and enough money to live on. It is important to make clear arrangements with your boss at this stage, to avoid a conflict of interests. The best strategy is to send your personal details and CVs to a selected group of professional translation firms and translation departments within companies and governmental institutions, explicitly referring to your work experience. Don’t forget to highlight your willingness to do a free test translation.

4. Make sure to register as a self-employed person with the relevant tax authorities and seek their advice if necessary.

5. Once you have managed to find enough freelance work to keep yourself busy for around 20 hours a week, you might consider terminating your employment contract and devoting the extra time to attracting new business. In 20 hours most experienced freelance translators tend to earn around as much as a full-time translator in salaried employment.

These are obviously very general guidelines, and your personal career may evolve along quite different lines depending on your preferences, skills and personal conditions. Whatever your circumstances, however, you will find that experience and a certain amount of business acumen are the things that matter most in a successful freelance career.

Fester Leenstra is co-owner of Metamorfose Vertalingen, a translation agency in Utrecht (The Netherlands). After having worked for several translation firms in paid employment, he took the plunge in 2004 and incorporated his own company.

Name Translation

After searching on the internet, I found that in many occasions English names are transliterated into Chinese, like the drug names. As regard to the majority names of foreigners, they are also transliterated. It seems being a practice to handle in this way.

The following is a brand name story about Lexus from Toyota. At the beginning of importing Lexus auto into domestic market, sellers called it Lingzhi. This name had been widely used for over one decade, and gained brand recognition in Chinese market. However, Toyota changed the Chinese name Lingzhi into Leikesasi officially in 2001, which was a Professional Language Solutions of Lexus. According to the company statement, in one aspect, this name changing event complied with the policy to gain global recognition. Whatever language it was in, the product name should be unified; the other purpose was a business strategy on brand reestablishment. This is just a positive transliteration example in business, and then I will turn to personal names translation.

As early as in 4^th century AD, Sengrui, a Chinese monk generally considered as Kumarajiva’s principal disciple who also participated in Kumarajiva’s Arabic Translation Service project, had investigated problems in translating the names of things. He was critical of his teacher’s casual practice in translating names, and attributed it to Kumarajiva’s lack of familiarity with the Chinese tradition of linking names to essences.

As per his point of view, probably most transliterated names of foreigners’ are not serious, in which pronunciation overwhelming meaning. But exceptions do exist. Gladys Yang, the British translator together with her husband Yang Xianyi dedicated to translating Chinese into hwp file English, has the Chinese name Dai Naidie. But now, the name Gladys is more commonly translated into Ge Ladisi or quite similar ones. The former one is definitely more readable to Chinese by its Chinese name style and with much more literary connotation than the latter. After all, not all Chinese is able to give English names a profound Chinese translation as deep literary attainments is required. Maybe the overwhelming name transliteration has the same reason as that rooted in the business event by Toyota.

However, naming has never been a casual thing, especially personal naming. Being part of Somatic Science, a name could influence a child’s future or even personality. After he died, the body passed while his name and reputation passes on. Thus, many parents prefer to have a study before giving their child a name, hoping that the name could ensure their child a lucky and successful life. Each character in a name carries some good meaning, beauty, brilliance, health, strong will, optimism, generosity, loyalty and so forth. Hence, only after the translated foreign names contain those meanings and follow Chinese naming style, can they be perfect both in pronunciation and meaning.

Press Release Translation

About the project
The client wants an international reach/aspiration and get a press relase that need to be translated into Chinese to increase their presence. The press release is about assisting Chinese residents in bringing international students from Professional Language Solutions in china to study in foreign countries and become permanent residents. The press release should be translated accurately and timely.

Challenges
As the press relaese need to be properly translated will rightfully convey accurate message to the masses, such as websites, newspapers, magazines, radio and TV shows & trade publications, the Arabic Translation Service for the press release need to be accurate and represent exactly what you stated in your original release, and that too quite effectively.

Like any other type of document translation, press releases often contain industry-specific information, and it may seem like short and simple pieces of basic marketing materials, and we shouldn’t use an amateur linguist to handle the press release translation.

Our Solution
• Highly accurate translation: due to have a good understanding of the nature of the press release, we assign our Professional ICT Translation Company to seasoned linguists who are experts in the area the press release deals with. And we follow the strict TEP (translation, editing and proofreading) process to ensure the accuracy of the translation. When they reach the editor’s desk in a target city, there’s a high probability the release will be published thanks to the quality of translation.
• Delivery on time: Nobody can deny that time is a major factor when translating press releases. We insist not only on quality translation, but also on meeting the deadline of the project as well. We work with the client to be certain we receive the source press release as early as possible so our team generate the translations in short order and deliver the translation timely.
• Competitive pricing: we CCJK provides the clients with world-class service and results while maintaining very reasonable rates. Once we confirmed the project with the client, we’re confident that we stay with us and deliver the best translated press releases, on schedule and at a fair price.

ABOUT CCJK
Founded in 2000 and born for Internet, CCJK is a highly trusted professional e-Services company supported by more than 2,000 talented linguists, engineers, designers and programmers who work as a super organized team. From language translation, desktop publishing, graphic design, software localization, website development, SEO, user guide to corporate eLearning, we provide one stop solution to help client gain competitive edge. We rely on streamlined and sophisticated process to ensure fast and quality delivery. By trusting CCJK’s one stop solution, you need only focus on your core business, win market share and maximize your profit in simplest and soonest way.

Animals Reference In English And Chinese

In different Professional Language Solutions system, the connotation under animal related words may vary. Using them to refer various kinds of people is the wit of writers. As writers part the society, through those words by them, one aspect of the public culture is manifested before us. Whether there already has any research on the topic or not, the understanding of such literal art would be an effective way to know indigenous people and language. While for translators, probing into that language phenomenon and comparing with our mother tongue would make translation no longer tedium or even boredom.

The first animal I will mention here is lamb. It carries the meanings – sweet, mild-mannered person; a dear or one can be cheated especially in financial matters – which Chinese equivalent word lacks. There are several idioms and common says, like as innocent as a lamb, as gentle as a lamb, as meek as a lamb, ewe lamb. All good ones. As to the Chinese animal with such reference meaning, as far as I know maybe the rabbit has. We have a well-known children’s song told the story between little white rabbit and grey cunning wolf, aiming to teach baby not to be cheated by bad people as the rabbit.

In English, the image of cat is widely used to describe people. In English culture, cat is usually connected with witches, bad women with Arabic Translation Service etc., mainly bad things. From the saying that a cat has nine lives, we can see that cat has strong vitality which is the same as in Chinese. In superstition, encountering a black cat will be very unfortunate. On this point, we Chinese have the crow’s cry foreboding bad thing would happen. There are words as catty, cattish to describe bad people or bad characters. But this animal does not always representing the black side. For example, in an American idiom “fat cat” means a wealthy and privileged person. Getting this point, mistakes can be avoid while translating phrase someone who is a literal fat cat or something like that. If showing some who feel ill at ease, we can say he “likes a cat on hot bricks”. It vividly manifests the awkward and squirmed situation before us. While in Chinese, ants in hot pot is in the same situation.

As to the two animals – tiger and lion – it can be very misleading on their image in Chinese and English. In English culture, one entry of the word “tiger” in dictionary is a person considered as aggressive, audacious, or fierce, nothing to do with brave or such positive connotation as in Chinese. However, lion can refer to someone very brave, eminent. We can refer a celebrity as a great lion, a literary lion, describe a brave person as bold as a lion, or fight like a lion. A lion in the way or path is a hard-to-overcome obstacle. If someone beards the lion in his den, he is definitely the one who dares to challenge a powerful something. Probably you have watched the English movie LION KING. In Chinese culture, its place is for tiger, which is the king in the forest. For several mentioned idioms and proverbs, their roles can be exchanged under two cultures.

On the Stylistic Features of Bidding and Tender Documents

As English bidding and tender documents are the guideline and basis of law in international competitive bidding. To understand and master the stylistic features of bidding and tender documents whose primary goal is to safeguard the rights and benefits of the tenderers and make sure the business activities will go smoothly. Based on the analysis of typical examples, we can achieve the characteristics of bidding and tender documents from three aspects.

Accuracy
When translating bidding and tender documents, we should try our best to make the language as accurate as possible. A certain style has its own characteristics of  Professional Language Solutions. So the selection of vocabulary is very important for the realization of the stylistic features.

First, in order to achieve accuracy and precision, the technical terminologies are widely used in bidding and tender documents. The technical meaning of words in documents has often stabilized, clarified, single and precise. What is more, the technical terms are not in daily use and it is so obscure that the non-professionals cannot understand the meanings and expressions; they must look up the technical dictionaries or consult the corresponding experts.

Second, in daily-used English, we tend to introduce to a participant or a matter for the first time by clear explanation to the audience, but for the second time mentioning, we may use proper pronouns instead of them. However, in bidding and tender documents, pronouns are mostly forbidden; this is for the accuracy and precision and avoidance of any possible ambiguity. As pronouns have ambiguous meaning. Once any dispute arising from it, both parties cannot protect themselves efficiently. Therefore, we can find a name or full noun is repeated over and over again. It apparently makes the sentences sound wordy but very well-demonstrated and accurate. For example:

Should the Sub-contractor have any claims or demands against the Contractor and such claims or demands are similar or the same as claims or demands the Contractor has against the Employer, Engineer or Third Party, the Sub-Contractor shall make no claims or demands against the Contractor but will jointly with the Contractor prepare such claims or demands against the party or parties considered to be at fault.

Conventionality

Actually, bidding and tender documents belong to trade contract and have law language in it. So the choice of words and building of sentence must strive for conventionality, clear and dignity.
The formal words indicate that this is a special occasion and quite different from ordinary course. Formal language is rarely used in general English, but it can be seen clearly that the formal words are often used in bidding and tender documents to achieve the formality, which is one of the striking characteristics of bidding and tender documents vocabulary.

What’s more, in bidding and tender documents, we can find a lot of words like herein, hereby, therein, thereafter and so on. These words called archaisms. Although archaisms sound difficult and out of dated, translators still prefer hereinafter rather than later in this official paper which exactly performs same functions. For one hand, it is a kind of tradition to use archaisms. For the other hand, translators tend to consider that these archaisms can make the bidding and tender documents clearer and less ambiguous reference which may give greater weight and authority to the language. Words like hereof and hereinbefore can offer more help to the economy language than those longer phrases like “of this document or before in this document”. As a typical formal document, archaic words still exist, which are easy to understand for the professionals but to most non-professionals are a little bit confused. According to David Crystal and Derek Davy, “It is especially noticeable that any passage of legal English is usually well studded with archaic words and phrases of a kind that could be used by no one else but lawyers.”  So it means the use of archaism is a distinctive feature of a formal document, and aiming at avoiding unnecessary repetition, not often occurring in any other varieties of English. Because of its unique, the use of archaism is one of the most remarkable characteristics of bidding and tender documents and can help to achieve the formality and dignity. There actual use can be seen in the following examples:

1.In witness whereof, both parties set their hands on the date here in mentioned.

2.This contract is made and concluded by and between ABC Corporation (hereinafter called Party A) and BARMAG Company (hereinafter called Party B ) whereby the panties hereto agree to enter into compensation trade under the terms and conditions set forth below.
 Rigor

The rigor of bidding and tender documents, we can find it from juxtaposition, which refers to joining synonyms, near-synonyms and relevant words together with “and” and “or”. The juxtaposition is a style marker in bidding and tender documents, which can complement the description and avoid ambiguity. When synonyms and near-synonyms are connected with and and “or”, the second part is often used to reaffirm and complement the first part, when a dispute appears, this kind of expression can help both parties to understand the precise meaning of a certain word and also to make the bidding and tender documents rigid, complete and classic. Look at the following example:

It is the intent of the parties that all documents and annexes forming part hereof of shall be read and taken together and that each and every provision or stipulation hereof be given full force, effect and applicability. However, in the event that one or more provisions or stipulation herein be declared null and void by the courts, or otherwise rendered ineffective, the remaining provisions and stipulations shall not be effected thereby.

The syntactic structures of bidding and tender documents are complex and often lay much emphasis on the completeness and rigor of the meaning of sentence, not pay much attention to the simplicity and conciseness of the documents. So the declarative sentence and long complex sentence are widely used to achieve the rigor when establishing bidding and tender documents, agreements, promises, obligations and rights are discussed and listed with legal force. When establishing bidding and tender documents, usually the declarative sentence is used to declare, interpret, state, or regulate the rights and obligations for two parties. The frequent usage of declarative sentence make the documents look more objective and plainness.
Example: All bids are to be validity received by China National Machinery Import and Export Corporation before 10:00 am on the specified opening date at the address below. Bids will be opened at 10:30 am December 20, 2001 (Beijing time)

Concerning the long sentence, sometimes hundreds of words are used in one sentence. The translator tends to compress a large amount of information into one sentence. Sometimes one sentence is a unique paragraph. There are two advantages to use long sentence in bidding and tender documents. First of all, the long sentence can make the documents more logical and solemn. Second, it can define under what kind of circumstances, in what manner, when and where the parties exercise their rights or assume their obligations, which can avoid the flaws and holes in the clauses. So when there is a dispute, it is more likely to protect the legal interests of the parties. Tiersma believes that: “A motivation for lengthy sentences is the desire to place all information on a particular topic into one self-contained unit”.

Example: The tender should be informed that, if he has delivered, posted or dispatched his tender prior to the formal submission date he has the right to modify or make corrections to it. Provided that any such modifications or corrections are received by the employer /engineer in writing prior to the time specified for submission of tenders. The original tender thus modified or corrected would then be considered as the official tender.

After have a general view of the stylistic features of bidding and tender documents. With a mastery of these features we can have a better understanding of bidding and tender documents.

Unnecessary Nouns in Chinese-English Translations

Most unnecessary nouns in Chinglish appear not alone but in short phrases, combined with articles and Professional Language Solutions. when you eliminate the nouns, you must eliminate the articles and prepositioins as well.





Many of these nouns are easy to  recognize. They are plainly redundant beacause their sense is already included or implied in some other element of the sentence.
Here  are a few examples (A) with suggested revisions(B)and comments in brackets.

A: to accelerate the pace of economic reform
B: to accelerate economic reform

[to accelerate= to increase the peace of ]
A: there have been good harvests in agriculture
B: there have been good havrests

[Harvests implies agriculture: there are no harvests in industry.]
A: living standards for the people in both urban and rural areas continued to rise.
B: Living standards in both urban and rural  areas continued to rise

[The notion of living standards applies only to people.]
A: these hardships are temporary in nature
B: these hardships are temporary

[Any adjective describes the nature or character of the noun it modifies. To say that hardships are temporary in nature is like saying that the Chinese flag is red in color or that pandas are few in number.]
A: the development of our economy in the future will, to a large extent, depend on …
B: the development of our economy will depend to a large extent on …

[The future tense of the verb (will depend)is sufficient to express futurity.]
A: we should adopt a series of measures to ensure that
B: we should adopt measures to ensure that

[Here the plural form of measures covers the sense of a series.]
Other unnessary nouns may be less easy to identify. Nevertheless, a little thought will reveal that they add nothing to the meaning of the sentence. When they are deleted the sense is not diminished, only clarified. Some examples:
A: following the realization of mechanization and electrification of agriculture
B: following the mechanization and electrification of agriculture
A: it is essential to strengthen the building of national defense
B: it is essential to strengthen national defense
A:  at that time the situation in northeast China was still on where the enemy was stronger than the people’s forces
B: at that time the enemy will stronger than the people’s forces in northest China

[Situation is particularly dangerous noun. Not only is it generally unnessary, but it drags other unnecessary elements after it .]
A: the key to the solution lies in the curtailment of expenditure
B: the solution is to curtail expenditure

[Key is sometimes useful, but  usually it too can be dispensed with. ]
A: inner-Party democracy is a subject that has been discussed in detail
B: inner-Party democarcy has been discussed in detail.

Category nouns

There  is one type of noun that deserves special mention, because it is the commonest unnecessary word in Chinglish. This is the general noun that serves only to introduce a specific noun to follow:"a serious mistake in the work of planning."

In such constructions, the first noun announces the category of the second, in the case, it tells readers that “planning” falls into the category of “work.” That is something they already know. Accordingly , the first noun should be deleted: ” a serious mistake in planning.” Whatever function the category noun serves in Chinese, in English it is generally useless. All it add to the sentence is weight without substance.