Some Reflections on Translation Criticism and Descriptive Translation Studies

Abstract

There was a misconception in China about translation criticism and descriptive translation studies, the two sub-disciplines of Translation Studies. In fact, descriptive translation studies and translation criticism belong to two different scientific branches, one being the descriptive or pure branch, the latter the prescriptive or applied branch. Four reasons behind this misconception in China could be identified: a) the introduction of Descriptive Translation Studies in China is far from enough; b) both of the two sub-disciplines are believed to be the link between translation theory and practice; c) the opportunistic thought of “making foreign things serve China”; d) the translation theory itself needs further improvement.