Translation of Words with Chinese Characteristics in the Government White Paper from the Perspective of Cognitive Translatology

Abstract

Cognitive Translatology has been advancing rapidly in translation research, as an increasing number of concepts and theories in cognitive linguistics are applied to translation studies. It offers a relatively objective approach to analyze and compare translation cases and helps to reflect translators’ subjectivity and creativity. Guided by Cognitive Translatology, the translator selects some of the examples in the white paper Responding to Climate Change: China’s Policies and Actions and discusses the difficulties during the translation process based on specificity, scope, perspective, prominence (four dimensions of construal). During the translation process, translators should take into full consideration the multiple layers of connotations encompassed by these terms, including political, historical, economic, and social aspects. It is important to pay attention to preserving cultural characteristics of the source text in order to accurately convey information.