Contents

Introduction……………………………………………………………..1 I. The Stylistic Features of EST……………………………………..….2 1.1 Nominalization……………………………………………..….……2 1.2 Passive Voice………………………………………………….….…3 1.3 Non-finite Verbs………………………………………..…………...4 1.4 Sentence in Common Use…………………...……...…..……….….4 1.5 The Postposition of Attributive……………………………………..5 1.6 Complex Sentences………………………...……………………….5 Ⅱ.The Principles of the EST Translation……………………………..6 2.1 Literal Translation…………………………………………………..6 2.2 Shift of Perspective………………………………………….…..…..7 2.3 Omission………………………………………………………….....8 2.4 Amplification………………………………………………….….…8 Ⅲ. The Standard of EST Translation………………………………….9 3.1 Faithfulness……………………...……………………………..……9 3.2 Fluency……………………………………………………...…..…10 Ⅳ. Suggestions for the Translators of EST…………...……………...11 Conclusion …………………………………………………………..12 Bibliography……………………………………………………………13

Introduction

English, undoubtedly, is an important language in the world. EST (English for Science and Technology) is an applied linguistic form which is widely used in the fields of academy and technology.

I. Objective and Need for Study

By a comparative research in pronunciation, vocabulary and grammar of EST and Basic English, there is no essential difference between them. However, this does not mean that EST has little or no features of its own. EST, as a particular branch of ESP (English for Special Purposes), has formed the lingual characteristics of its own relating to glossary, accidence, syntax and so on after a long evolvement, among which high specialization is its chief feature. EST translation is a perfect combination of linguistic and specialized knowledge, which uses highly technical or esoteric language to state an objective reality. Therefore, it demands concise index system, clear evaluation criteria and scientific evaluation methods.

To discuss and improve the quality of EST translation is of important significance both in theory and practice. For the translators, the key to good translation is to build a solid linguistic foundation of both English and Chinese, and they should have obtained relative translation skills and theories of EST as well.

II. Organization of the Thesis

The whole thesis mainly falls into five parts.

The first part gives a general introduction to the stylistic features of EST, such as nominalization, passive voice and so on. An abundance of instances are cited and the definition of each feature is discussed in details.

The second part is the central part of the thesis. It focuses on the principles of EST translation. Translation is integrated art; therefore, various methods of translation should be applied comprehensively and reasonably. Four main principles are analyzed in this part: literal translation, shift of perspective, omission and amplification.

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In the third part, the paper briefly introduces the standard of EST translation, including faithfulness and fluency. Only the two requirements are satisfied correctly can a translation script be an excellent one.

The fourth part puts forward some requirements for the EST translators. They should have not only a good command of both English and Chinese but also a rich fund of scientific knowledge as well as the theory of translation.

The last part is the conclusion which summarizes the major findings of the present study, at the same time; limitations and suggestions for further study are also stated.

The whole thesis applies the examples and contrast to demonstrate the main idea.

I. The Stylistic Features of EST

1.1 Nominalization

Nomination, which is crucial to English, is profoundly manifested in EST translation. A Grammar of Contemporary English has put forwarded that the wide use of nouns is one of the characteristics of EST, for scientific English is a terse and vigorous style which is objective and accurate. It emphasizes on the fact of existence, not the act of doing something. In scientific English, it is commonly seen that a sentence is replaced by a noun phrase “a noun that denotes an action + of + a noun + a modifier”. That is to say, a statement which is expressed by verbs in general English is substituted by noun phrases in scientific English, and this is the so-called nominalization. Pay attention to the following sentences:

a. The earth rotates on its own axis, which causes the change from day to night. b. The rotation of the earth on its own axis causes the change from day to night. The nomination structure “the rotation of the earth on its own” turns this complex sentence to a simple one, and makes the concept or proposition more definite and precise.

Another example:

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Archimeds first discovered the principle of displacement of water by solid bodies. This sentence is translated into “阿基米德最先发展固体排水的原理。” In this sentence, “of displacement of water by solid bodies” is a prepositional phrase which replaces the appositive clause “that water was displace by solid bodies” and highlights the fact “displacement”.

1.2 Passive Voice

It is notorious that in Chinese active voice is widely used either in spoken or written language, while in English it is exactly opposite. According to the figures provided by John Swales from University of Leeds, at least one third of predicates in EST are presented in passive voice, because the stress of EST is more on accuracy and inference. Third person or plural are widely used in the translation instead of 1st or 2nd person to avoid the absurd supposition by subjective interpretation. For example:

a. We can store electrical energy into two mental plates separated by an insulting

medium. We call such a device a capacitor, or a condenser, and its ability to store electrical energy capacitance. We measure capacitance in farads.

The whole passage is tedious and burdensome with “we” as its subject from the beginning to the end. It is particularly the case in translation in that literary works transfer not only information but also aesthetic value. Therefore, such construction is uncommon in EST translation.

b. Electrical energy can be stored in two metal plates separated by an insulating medium. Such a device is called a capacitor, or a condenser, and its ability to store electrical energy is termed capacitance. It is measured in farads.

In the above passage, the subjects are “electrical energy”, “such a device”, “its

ability” and “it (capacitance)” respectively which stand out well at the beginning of each sentence. Four different subjects avoid repetition successfully and contain a large amount of information. The whole passage is coherent, natural which give a gull expression to the advantages of passive voices.

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