Functional Equivalence Research Articles

A Comparative Analysis of Human Translation and Machine Translation in Diplomatic Languages under the Theory of Functional Equivalence: A Case Study of the US-China High-Level Strategic Dialogue in 2021

This paper presents a comparative analysis of human and machine translations of Yang Jiechi's 16-minute speech during the 2021 China-U.S. High-Level Strategic Dialogue. Guided by the functional equivalence theory, this study examines the lexical and discourse choices of the human translator, Zhang Jing, against three different machine translations. The analysis focuses on the differences in translation regarding political sensitivity, cultural and emotional undertones, and the irreplaceable role of human translators in political language translation. The paper aims to demonstrate how effective human translation contributes to improving China-U.S. relations and enhancing China's international influence.

Inequivalent and uncorrelated response priming in motor imagery and execution.

Theoretical considerations on motor imagery and motor execution have long been dominated by the functional equivalence view. Previous empirical works comparing these two modes of actions, however, have largely relied on subjective judgments on the imagery process, which may be exposed to various biases. The current study aims to re-examine the commonality and distinguishable aspects of motor imagery and execution via a response repetition paradigm. This framework aims to offer an alternative approach devoid of self-reporting, opening the opportunity for less subjective evaluation of the disparities and correlations between motor imagery and motor execution. Participants performed manual speeded-choice on prime-probe pairs in each trial under three conditions distinguished by the modes of response on the prime: mere observation (Perceptual), imagining response (Imagery), and actual responses (Execution). Responses to the following probe were all actual execution of button press. While Experiment 1 compared the basic repetition effects in the three prime conditions, Experiment 2 extended the prime duration to enhance the quality of MI and monitored electromyography (EMG) for excluding prime imagery with muscle activities to enhance specificity of the underlying mechanism. In Experiment 1, there was no significant repetition effect after mere observation. However, significant repetition effects were observed in both imagery and execution conditions, respectively, which were also significantly correlated. In Experiment 2, trials with excessive EMG activities were excluded before further statistical analysis. A consistent repetition effect pattern in both Imagery and Execution but not the Perception condition. Now the correlation between Imagery and Execution conditions were not significant. Findings from the current study provide a novel application of a classical paradigm, aiming to minimize the subjectivity inherent in imagery assessments while examining the relationship between motor imagery and motor execution. By highlighting differences and the absence of correlation in repetition effects, the study challenges the functional equivalence hypothesis of imagery and execution. Motor representations of imagery and execution, when measured without subjective judgments, appear to be more distinguishable than traditionally thought. Future studies may examine the neural underpinnings of the response repetition paradigm to further elucidating the common and separable aspects of these two modes of action.

A Study on Chinese-English Translation of Culture-Loaded Words in Shanghais Intangible Cultural Heritage under the Theory of Functional Equivalence

In todays era of rapid globalization, effective cross-cultural communication and precise translation work are more vital than ever. Cultural-loaded words, which carry the nuanced meaning to particular cultures, stand at the forefront of this cultural exchange. Shanghai is an international metropolis renowned for its abundant and diverse intangible cultural heritage. Given this rich tapestry of cultural treasures, the demand for an accurate and good translation is imperative. Ensuring that the essence of Shanghai's cultural heritage is accurately preserved and communicated across linguistic boundaries is therefore a crucial task in todays interconnected world. This paper delves into the challenges and strategies involved in translating the cultural-loaded words from Chinese into English within the context of Shanghais intangible cultural heritage. Taking the Functional Equivalence Theory as the theoretical framework, various translation methods including literal translation, transliteration, and free translation are examined in this research, emphasizing their effectiveness in preserving cultural meanings. Practical applications and challenges in translating terms with culturally nuanced terms are demonstrated by analyzing the case studies from the Illustrated Encyclopedia of Shanghai Intangible Cultural Heritage. This research not only highlights the significance of balancing cultural context and intelligibility in between source language (SL) and target language (TL), but also demonstrates the role of Functional Equivalence Theory as a vital tool for facilitating cultural exchange. In conclusion, the paper provides valuable insights into the complexities of translating cultural-loaded words and presents approaches for translating cultural-loaded words in Shanghais intangible cultural heritage.

ON FUNCTIONAL SERIES WITH APPLICATIONS TO ROOT FINDING TECHNIQUES AND TO ORDINARY DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS

The approximate equivalence of functions is defined with respect to Taylor series expansions first. Based on the approximate equivalence, approximation of a given function with other functional series is discussed. The theory is first applied to root finding iteration algorithms. Then the solution of ordinary differential equations is treated as the next application. Several numerical sample problems are considered. It is shown that the formalism can be effectively used in determining the roots of algebraic equations or finding the solutions of differential equations. To increase the precision of the solutions, higher order approximations should be taken.

Functional equivalence and a cover relation for reaction systems

Reaction systems are a computational model originally introduced to formalize the interactions between biochemical reactions that are the basis of the functioning of the living cell. Subsets of reactions of a reaction system define result functions which leads to a concept of functional equivalence. This equivalence in turn induces a functional cover relation on the reactions of a reaction system which captures redundancies in the system. In this paper, the functional cover relation is transferred to functional equivalence classes of sets of reactions. We introduce so-called atoms as building blocks of reactions. Atoms provide a characterization of functional equivalence classes of sets of reactions and are used to prove that the functional cover relation on functional equivalence classes of sets of reactions is a lattice.

Encoding indefinite human reference without indefinite pronouns: the case of Chinese presentationals

Abstract The Chinese sequence yǒu rén [exist person] is both the minimal existential-presentational construction and the functional equivalent of indefinite pronouns in encoding indefinite human reference. This dual characteristic prompts the question of whether yǒu rén functions as a presentational construction comparable to similar forms in other languages. Building on a literary corpus of Chinese contemporary novels, this study aims to determine if yǒu rén displays the behavioral properties of presentational constructions. First, presentational yǒu rén constructions are distinguished from both locative-existential and generic-existential ones based on a set of features including predicate selection in the coda, presence and function of the locative expression, and the co-dependent interpretation of the nominal rén. Next, the discourse function of yǒu rén is examined by assessing its contrast with regular nonpresentational sentences and the anaphoric potential of the entity it introduces. While establishing the boundaries between the three construction types, the study also analyzes the co-expression pattern observed within a gradient and compositional approach.

Grammatical Metaphor in the C-E Translation of Jing Ye Si

In translation, translators are often confronted with the choice between congruent form and metaphorical form, which is closely correlated with grammatical metaphor theory in systemic functional linguistics. This paper attempts to apply grammatical metaphor theory to Jing Ye Si and its seven translations to assess poetry translation quality and provide guidance for translators from the perspective of systemic functional linguistics. It strives to elucidate the grammatical metaphor in the C-E translation of Jing Ye Si and the way to evaluate its seven translations via grammatical metaphor. In this context, six steps brought forward by Huang Guowen (2004) are taken in the functional discourse analysis of Jing Ye Si and its seven translations. After elaborating the characteristics of the seven translations, the study evaluates their overall translation quality. According to functional equivalence to the source text, the translations of Xu Yuanchong and Amy Lowell outperform other translations. In translation practice, translators are advised to choose between the congruent form and metaphorical form based on the context, original author, target readers, aesthetic value, translation purpose, and so on. Essentially, it is necessary to manipulate the transitivity system, mood system, modality system, and Theme system to realize the equivalence of the translations to the source text in terms of ideational, interpersonal, and textual metafunctions.

International Publicity Translation Based on the Perspective of Eugene Nida’s Functional Equivalence Theory: A Case Study of 2022 Government Work Report

The Government Work Report delivered by Premier Li during the Two Sessions in 2022 is an authoritative summary and future outlook of China’s economic, social, cultural and diplomatic development in the past year, which has attracted wide and high attention from the international community. As an official state document, the Government Work Report is highly authoritative. Therefore, when translating the report into English, translators are supposed to strictly follow the principles of publicity translation on the premise of profoundly grasping the content of the report, so as to accurately convey the content and meanings of the report to foreign readers and spread the positive voice of China. After careful study and comparison, Nida’s Functional Equivalence Theory plays a pivotal role in the publicity translation strategy. Taking the 2022 Government Work Report as the research object, this paper analyzes the English version of the report from three levels of lexicality, syntax and discourse from the perspective of Functional Equivalence Theory, then discusses the skills and strategies of publicity translation, so as to provide useful reference for China’s publicity translation.

Multipliers and equivalence of functions, spaces, and operators

By interpreting the well-known Brown–Halmos theorem for Toeplitz operators in terms of multipliers, we formulate a Brown–Halmos analogue for the product of generalized Toeplitz operators, defined as compressions of multiplication operators to closed subspaces of L2(T)\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$L^2({\\mathbb {T}})$$\\end{document}. We use this to define equivalences between two operators in that class by means of multipliers between the spaces where they act. Necessary and sufficient conditions for such an equivalence to be unitary or a similarity are established. The results are applied to Toeplitz and Hankel operators, truncated Toeplitz operators, and dual truncated Toeplitz operators.

Identification of dynamic coefficients of gas foil bearings by simulated excitation based on coupled fields

The dynamic coefficients (dynamic stiffness coefficient and dynamic damping coefficient) of gas foil bearings (GFBs) are important for transient dynamics calculation and stability analysis of the GFBs-rotor system. Although the perturbation method can be used to calculate the dynamic coefficients, it can only consider a single whirl ratio. Moreover, the whirl ratio is assumed and not practical. Therefore, this paper proposes an identification method of dynamic coefficients of GFBs by simulated excitation. Firstly, based on single journal-single GFB model considering gas-structure interaction by coupled fields, harmonic excitations were applied to the rotor to obtain the shaft orbit. Next, frequency response function method and equivalence coefficient method were used to identify dynamic coefficients. The former method is suitable for the case where response and excitation are same frequency, namely linear problem. The latter method is fit for the situation in which the response has multiple frequency components, namely nonlinear problem. Finally, examples were carried out, and the results from different methods were compared and analyzed. This research work lays a theoretical foundation for the design of the GFBs-rotor system.

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles promote corneal epithelial repair and suppress apoptosis via modulation of Caspase-3 in vitro.

Corneal injuries are the major cause of blindness and visual impairment. Available treatments are limited by their efficacy and side effects. Mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles are presumed as functional equivalents and potential candidates for cell-free therapy. This study reports isolation and characterization of extracellular vesicles from human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and evaluates their role in mediating epithelial repair and apoptosis in cultured corneal epithelial cells through scratch assay, PCR, immunofluorescence, and flow cytometry in vitro. The isolated extracellular vesicles were spherical, < 150 nm in diameter, and characterized as CD9+, CD63+, CD81+, TSG101+, and Calnexin-. Further, these vesicles promoted corneal epithelial repair by enhancing proliferation and suppressed apoptosis by regulating the expression of BAD, P53, BCL-2, and cleaved CASPASE-3. Thus, our results suggest that BM-MSC-EVs might have the potential to be used for the treatment of injury-induced corneal epithelial defects. Clinical translation of this work would require further investigations.

Optimizing Bilingual Sports Commentary under the Guidance of Functional Equivalence Approach

This paper explores the application of functional equivalence theory in enhancing bilingual sports commentary, with a focus on Chinese and English languages. By analyzing commentary from various sports events, including the F1 British Grand Prix, NBA games, FIFA World Cup matches, and League of Legends World Championships, the study identifies key differences and areas for improvement in both language commentaries. Chinese commentary often suffers from clarity issues due to excessive commentators and informal language, while English commentary lacks cultural and idiomatic richness. The research demonstrates that integrating functional equivalence theory can significantly improve the quality of sports commentary by ensuring that it is culturally and linguistically tailored to the audience's experience. This approach not only provides a richer viewer experience but also bridges the gap between different linguistic audiences, maintaining the excitement and context of the sports event.

Indonesian Culturally-Bound Words Translation in the Legends into English

The aim of this research is to find out the culturally-bound words found in the legends and how the culturaly-bound words in legends are translated into English. Three legends entitled Lutung Kasarung, Timun Mas, and Keong Mas are analyzed qualitatively by using the culturally-bound words categories and translation strategies by Newmark (1988).The results show that there are 23 words included culturally-bound words which are separated into four categories and was translated by using six strategies by Newmark (1988). The four categories namely ecology; material culture; organisation, custom, activities; and gesture and habit. The six strategies by Newmark (1988) were cultural equivalent, functional equivalent, descriptive equivalent, modulation, transference, and synonymy. The findings provide reference to understand the Indonesian culturally-bound words and how they are translated into English.

Reactions of Platinum Terminal Polyynyl Complexes trans-(C6F5)(p-tol3P)2Pt(C≡C)nH (n = 2-4) and n-BuLi, Generation of Functional Equivalents of Pt(C≡C)nLi Species, and Derivatization with Organic and Inorganic Electrophiles.

Reactions of the title complexes and n-BuLi (1.5 equiv, -45 °C) afford functional equivalents of the deprotonated species trans-(C6F5)(p-tol3P)2Pt(C≡C)nLi (n = 2-4), as assayed by subsequent additions of MeI or Me3SiCl to give trans-(C6F5)(p-tol3P)2Pt(C≡C)nMe (66-52%) or trans-(C6F5)(p-tol3P)2Pt(C≡C)nSiMe3 (63-49%). However, 31P NMR data suggest more complicated mechanistic scenarios, and small amounts of the hydride complex trans-(C6F5)(p-tol3P)2PtH (independently synthesized from the chloride complex, AgClO4, and NaBH4) are detected in most cases. Analogous sequences involving trans-(C6F5)(p-tol3P)2Pt(C≡C)2H and benzyl bromide, D2O, or W(CO)6/Me3O+ BF4- similarly afford products with Pt(C≡C)2Bn, Pt(C≡C)2D, or Pt(C≡C)2C(OCH3)=W(CO)5 linkages. The crystal structures of the tungsten and corresponding SiMe3 adduct, the three Pt(C≡C)nMe species, and hydride complex are determined.

Polymorphic higher-order context-free session types

We present an extension of polymorphic context-free session types that allows passing channels on channels, commonly known as higher-order session types. The mixture of functional types and session types has proven to be a challenge for type equivalence formulation: whereas functional type equivalence is often inductive and presented as a system of derivation rules, session type equivalence is often coinductive and usually presented as a bisimulation. We propose a unifying approach that handles the equivalence of functional and higher-order context-free session types together in the form of a system of rules generating a coinductively defined relation. Decidability of type equivalence is obtained via reduction to bisimulation for simple grammars, for which practical algorithms are known. To bridge the gap between types and simple grammars, we introduce a language of types with canonical names instead of bindings (which we call c-types), and propose a notion of canonical renaming to translate types to c-types.

Adaptation and validation of the Claremont Purpose Scale to measure Chinese adolescents' purpose in life.

Despite purpose measures being developed for adolescents, quantitative research investigating purposes prior to late adolescence and in non-Western societies remains nascent. This study evaluated the psychometric soundness of the Claremont Purpose Scale among Chinese adolescents. An initial prestudy (n = 34) was conducted to ensure linguistic equivalence. Subsequently, Study 1 (n = 1691) assessed the scale's reliability and factor structure, also investigating its functional equivalence across gender, adolescence stages, and language versions at the item level. Study 2 (n = 7842) investigated the scale's construct, convergent, predictive, and incremental validity, as well as tested for the scale's measurement invariance across different groups at the scale level. The results support the scale's use as a tool for researchers and practitioners to understand and cultivate purpose in adolescents.

A Report on E-C Translation of This May Hurt a Little

Humorous fiction, as a form of popular literature, focuses on real-life episodes that are laugh-out-loud funny. The protagonists of such novels are often characterized by comical or silly traits, or fools who always meet with misfortune in their acts of kindness and helpfulness. By skillfully depicting the weaknesses and flaws of these characters as well as a series of coincidences and misunderstandings, humor novels successfully reflect the real face of life and the author's creative ideas. This form of literature not only brings readers a relaxing and enjoyable reading experience, but also allows them to appreciate the fun and wisdom of life while reading. The author of the translated material is Eric Nicol, a writer who specializes in writing humorous works and has won numerous awards related to humorous books. The work, entitled This May Hurt a Little, tells a heartbreaking story about the tragic loss of the main character's decaying tooth and the ups and downs of his emotions during a visit to the dentist. The author describes with sardonic wit how he copes with his rotting and bleeding tooth. This paper chooses Eugene Nida's Functional Equivalence to analyze the humorous novel in an attempt to preserve the style and linguistic expressions of the original text, so that the target language readers can get the same feeling as the readers of the original text. The content of this paper includes 5 parts. The first part is an introduction to the work and the author as well as the linguistic feature; the second part is an introduction of the theory of functional equivalence translation; the third part is an introduction of the translation process; the fourth part is a case study under the theory of functional equivalence translation including the translation of words and sentences, and the fifth part is the conclusion, i.e., the enlightenment and the lesson.

On Subtitle Translation of American TV Series from the Perspective of Functional Equivalence Theory

With the development of globalization and cross-cultural communication, more and more artistic works are introduced into the promising market, China, including film and television works, music and novels. Of which, American TV series have become one of the hottest subjects, which arose enthusiastic pursuit and discussions among Chinese. Compared with domestic TV series, it contains more exciting plots and beautiful background music. What’s more, the quality subtitle is an essential part of this introduction. Regarding the theory put forward by Roman Jacobson, the founder of Prague school, translation is divided into three categories: intralingual translation, interlingual translation and intersemiotic translation, and subtitle translation is kind of interlingual translation. It means an interpretation of source language by means of target language. For film and television works, subtitle acts as a bridge between source language and audiences of target language as well as playing the role of communication and transformation of original emotions and image, which is the best illustration of functional equivalence theory developed by Eugene Nida. Differentiate from traditional literary translation, subtitle translation has its own unique features despite its being an emerging field. It has spatial and time constraint and must reproduce the content of source language as accurately and elegantly as possible within the limited time, as a result, this paper intends to carry out a further study on subtitle translation and functional equivalence theory. In 2018, the American TV series Killing Eve created a fad at home and abroad and the successful subtitle translation definitely contribute to it. In my perspective, its subtitle translation can be considered the great illustration of the principles and requirements of functional equivalence theory, which is a best case to study. From the perspective of functional equivalence theory, the paper has potential to produce a better understanding of subtitle translation's classification, features and related study at home and abroad. Give priority to the role of functional equivalence theory played in subtitle translation so as to give a boost to its development.

Application of Functional Equivalence in English-Chinese Subtitle Translation in Green Book

Under the trend of globalization, movies, as a medium of cultural communication and exchange between countries around the world, are becoming increasingly prominent. Subtitle translation, which has been sublimated from an obstacle between cultures to a convenient tool, can restore the effects of art in movies and television programs, and extend the meaning within the works to facilitate cultural dissemination. In this sense, different meanings within movies as well as cultural background and character features have to be translated. This article intends to summarize the functional equivalence theory, and base the analysis of translation skills and characteristics in the movie Green Book on the theory. Through further consideration for the relationship between the theory and the practice, the research questions of how lexical equivalence, syntactic equivalence, textual equivalence and stylistic equivalence function and cooperate with one another are to be fully investigated. Finally, the conclusion is to be drawn with the purpose to show the original taste of the movie Green Book and put forward some advice in subtitle translation.

Compare Eileen Chang's Theories on Chinese Life and Fashion and Her Self-translated Work Geng Yi Ji Based on Functions

Zhang Ailing is a famous modern Chinese female writer. Due to the influence of her family atmosphere and her own educational experience, she has a high level of expertise in both traditional Chinese studies and English. Her profound literary background in both English and Chinese has enabled her to create many excellent literary works and literary translations. Her articles published in the English monthly magazine of the 20th Century have made her stand out in the literary world, Therefore, Chinese Life and Fashions, as their first English prose published in this journal, has great research value. This article is based on Eugene Nida's principle of functional equivalence, the differences between Chinese and English languages, and some translation strategies to compare and analyze the two texts. These translation strategies include addition, deletion, domestication, etc. The employment of various translation procedures is based on the target language readers' diverse cultural backgrounds, as well as the target language readers chosen by Zhang Ailing. And the use of these strategies also reflects Eugene. Nida's theory of functional equivalence.