English Translation Research Articles

The “Consulting Detective” Nithan Thong-in by King Vajiravudh

The “Consulting Detective” Nithan Thong-in by King Vajiravudh

Research on English Translation Strategies of Chinese-specific Terms in the “2022 Government Work Report” from the Perspective of International Communication

Research on English Translation Strategies of Chinese-specific Terms in the “2022 Government Work Report” from the Perspective of International Communication

Explicitation of Conjunctions in Two English Translations of Luoyang Jialan Ji

The translation of Chinese classics is vital to promoting Chinese culture, gaining increasing attention from the academic community in recent years. This study selected Luoyang Jialan Ji, a representative of Chinese classics, as the research data. The study examines conjunctions in different texts by constructing comparable and parallel corpora of the source text and two English translations. The findings indicate that the frequency of conjunctions in the two English versions is higher than that in the Chinese version, which proves a tendency of explicitation in the translation process from Chinese to English. Notably, there are some differences between the two English versions in the use of conjunctions, especially conditional and causal conjunctions, which reveals the different styles of translators. Furthermore, the paper summarizes translation methods of conjunctions, offering insights into the translation practice of Chinese classics.

A Study on the English Translation Strategies of Dunhuang Cultural Terminology and the Communication Effects of the Translated Texts

A Study on the English Translation Strategies of Dunhuang Cultural Terminology and the Communication Effects of the Translated Texts

The Enlightenment prophet: Muhammad in early modern Europe

This article examines the place of Islam in the intellectual history of the European Enlightenment. In 1649, the English civil war resulted in the establishment of the Commonwealth under Oliver Cromwell and the execution of King Charles I; in the same year, the first English translation of the Quran was published in London. For some royalists, the two events were linked: they both signalled the moral demise of the kingdom, and indeed some polemicists depicted Cromwell as a ‘new Mahomet’ seeking to gain power by attacking the moral and religious foundations of the nation. Authors writing in English, such as Henry Stubbe, John Toland and George Sale, embraced the comparison, presenting the Muslim prophet as a reformer who preached pure monotheism and who abolished the powers of a corrupt clergy. They used the prophet and Islam to argue for the curtailing of the power of the Anglican Church; 18th-century French authors similarly lionised him as a polemical tool against the Catholic church. Muhammad, seen as an imposter or a reformer, was at the centre of European debates on the proper relations between Church, Crown and people. The article arises from a British Academy Lecture delivered on 18 May 2023.

Who is the language policy for? Translation discrepancies and their implications to (dis)trust

This paper investigates the impact of language policy translation as a discursive action on historical and political mechanisms of trust within the context of Indigenous language revitalization in Taiwan. Combining a critical discourse studies approach and translation theories, we examine the translation discrepancies between the Chinese source text and the English translation of Tawain’s Indigenous Language Development Act (2017). We focus on the analysis of the interpersonal meanings conveyed by two Chinese modal verbs (ying/應 and de/得), aiming to elucidate how Taiwan’s Government positions itself within both language versions. The findings suggest that the government constructs itself as more actively responsible for the Indigenous language development in the English version. This strategic move reflects the government’s commitment to enhancing Taiwan’s international reputation as the English version is meant for global audiences. Considering language policy is inherently ideological with the government’s political intentions, we discuss the implication of distrust created by the translation discrepancy. This study highlights that language policy translation can be recontextualized to suit a government’s political agendas and ideological appropriations.

Compilation of Dictionaries and Scientific and Technological Translations by Western Protestant Missionaries in China in the Nineteenth Century

The 19th century saw the important transformation of modern Western concepts into Chinese lexical resources. The missionaries were the initiators and important driving force for the translation of Western books into Chinese in modern China. They promoted ‘translating terms’ and ‘coining terms’ in their translations of Western books and the compilation of dictionaries with the cooperation of Chinese intellectuals. Their work provided a tangible ‘word’ carrier of ‘concepts’ for disseminating modern knowledge from the West to the East. Compiled by missionaries, the English–Chinese bilingual dictionaries introduced a brand-new concept of dictionary compilation and changed China’s history of having zidian (字典, character dictionaries) but no cidian (辞典, specialized dictionaries). In particular, John Fryer applied the translation method of creating new words or characters in the translation of chemical terminology. Members of the School and Textbook Series Committee, including John Fryer and Calvin Wilson Mateer, made great contributions to theories and strategies for translation, which keep inspiring Chinese–English translation of terminology and its theoretical construction.

Antinomianism as a way to God in nineteenth-century Java: the Suluk Lonthang between Islamic and pre-Islamic religious discourse

Abstract This article presents the first complete critical edition and annotated English translation of the nineteenth-century Javanese mystical poem Suluk Lonthang. Combining different disciplinary expertise in old and modern Javanese philology, Tantric Studies, and Islamic Studies, it interprets the protagonist of the poem as an expression of the multifaceted and multivocal Javanese religious landscape of the time, whose historical—and translocal—roots can be discerned in Sufi traditions from the Islamicate and Persianate worlds, as well as Tantric traditions from both pre-Islamic Java and the Indian subcontinent.

The Necessity and Goodness of Animals in Sijistānī’s Kashf Al-Maḥjūb

The Neoplatonic notion of “emanation” implies a required progression through hierarchical stages, originating from the highest principle (the One or God) and cascading down through a series of principles. While this process is deemed necessary, it is also inherently good, even “choiceworthy”, aligning with the identification of the first principle with the Good. Plotinus, a prominent Neoplatonist, emphasizes the beauty and goodness of the sensible world, governed by divine providence. This perspective, transmitted through Arabic adaptations of Plotinus, influences Islamic philosophers too. This paper delves into the thought of the Ismāʿīlī philosopher Abū Yaʿqūb al-Sijistānī (d. after. 349/971), exploring the interplay of necessity and goodness in his cosmology, with a focus on non-human animals. Sijistānī’s Persian Uncovering the Veiled provides a unique perspective on animals, presenting them as both necessary unfoldings of the universal intellect and inherently good beings with intrinsic value. The paper concludes with an appendix featuring an improved edition and English translation of relevant passages.

Ecological Discourse Analysis of the English Translations of Song of Peach Blossom Land from the Perspective of Transitivity

In light of the degradation of the ecological environment, linguists have integrated ecology with linguistics, giving rise to the emergence of ecolinguistics. Ecological Discourse Analysis (EDA), as a form of discourse analysis, serves as an analytical approach within the field of ecolinguistics. Considering that Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL) can be applied in analyzing ecological discourses and acknowledging the existing differences between Chinese and English languages, this paper conducts an EDA on both Chinese and English translations of “Song of Peach Blossom Land” from a transitivity perspective, aiming to present disparities in translation skills and accuracy. The results reveal that material processes account for over 50% of processes in all three texts and are consistently observed throughout them. Natural ecology is portrayed through depictions of the peach blossom land’s scenery; social ecology is presented by describing the social background and friendly relationship between the fisherman and villagers; spiritual ecology is embodied by his decision to leave his hometown but ultimately return to this land again. Furthermore, disparities in translation skills and accuracy exist within the Chinese-English translation.

Gabriela Mistral: Nourished by and Constructed from the Sap and Blood of Life

Gabriela Mistral (1889-1957) was the first Latin American to win the Nobel Prize for Literature and was a mentor to Pablo Neruda who also went on to become a Nobel laureate, yet Mistral’s work is rarely studied in English translation today. This article aims to bring attention to the author’s life and legacy, particularly through her diplomatic work and writing, with an emphasis on Mistral’s poetry in the hope of returning Gabriela Mistral to a place of distinction and standing that encourages future reading and study. Illustrative of the author’s voice, excerpts of Mistral’s work are woven throughout. The article traces key moments in Mistral’s life from childhood in the Elqui Valley of Chile through her years as a rural schoolteacher and onward to her position as a leader in education reform in Mexico. Through both her writing and diplomatic work, Mistral gained worldwide prominence. Her work through the League of Nations demonstrated an ongoing concern for human rights and especially for the rights of children and women in poverty and in the workplace. She was instrumental in the founding of the United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and an advocate for writers and artists and their crucial role in illuminating important societal issues. The article highlights Mistral’s 1937 talk before the Committee on Letters and Arts in Paris and addresses her connection with Pablo Neruda and the story of Juan Miguel, whom she adopted and called Yin-Yin; Yin-Yin died tragically at age seventeen. Finally, the article provides an overview of the life influences, themes, and timing of each of Mistral’s four major collections of poetry in their English translation by Doris Dana (1971): Desolation (1922), Tenderness (1924), Felling (1938) and Wine Press (1954).

Comparative Studies on English Translation of the Four Main Characters’ Titles in “Xiyouji”

The study aims to compare Anthony C. Yu’s and W. J. F. Jenner’s translations of the four main characters’ titles in “Xiyouji.” By categorizing the main characters’ titles using a statistical methodology and determining what the characters’ personalities are embodied in the main titles, the study analyzes which translation is more appropriate from the perspective of cultural communication. The most frequently used titles for “孙悟空(Sun Wukong)” are “(孙)行者(Pilgrim/Moneky)” and “(齐天)大圣(Great Sage),” accounting for 48% and 14% of his 119 titles. For “唐玄奘(Tang Xuanzang),” the predominant titles are “师父(Mater)” and “三藏(Sanzang/Tripitaka),” making up 40% and 25% of his 17 titles. “猪悟能(Zhu Wuneng)” is most commonly called “(猪)八戒(Eight Rules/Pig)” and “呆子(Idiot),” constituting 73% and 18 % of his 11 titles. As for “沙悟净(Sha Wujing),” the prevalent titles are “沙和尚(Sha Monk)” and “悟净 (Wujing),” encompassing 90% and 7% of his seven titles. Whether Sun Wukong’s justice, braveness and supernatural ability and his role as the crisis solver of the pilgrimage, Tang Sanzang’s wisdom, leadership and enlightenment and role as the leader, Zhu Wuneng’s transgressive nature and role as the rule breaker or Sha Wujing’s devoutness and role as the follower, their titles reflect their personalities and positions in the narrative. By comparing Yu’s and Jenner’s translations of these titles, the paper observes that Yu’s translation conveys the implied meanings. In contrast, Jenner’s translation is straightforward and simplified. Yu’s translation is more beneficial for the target language readers to understand Chinese Culture.

Research on grammatical error correction algorithm in English translation via deep learning

Abstract This study provides a concise overview of a grammatical error correction algorithm that is based on an encoder-decoder machine translation structure. Additionally, it incorporates the attention mechanism to enhance the algorithm’s performance. Subsequently, simulation experiments were conducted to compare the improved algorithm with an algorithm based on a classification model and an algorithm based on the traditional translation model using open corpus data and English translations from freshmen. The results demonstrated that the optimized algorithm yielded superior intuitive error correction outcomes. When applied to both the open corpus and the English translations of college freshmen, the optimized error correction algorithm outperformed the others. The traditional translation model-based algorithm came in second, while the classification model-based algorithm showed the least favorable performance. Furthermore, all three error correction algorithms experienced a decrease in performance when dealing with English compositions from freshmen. However, the optimized algorithm exhibited a relatively smaller decline.

Delving into the translator identity from a translingualism perspective

Abstract The theory of translingualism has been well constructed in sociolinguistics, yet it has not been applied fully to the study of literary translation and translator identity. This paper attempts to analyze the English version of Mayra Montero’s Spanish novel In the Palm of Darkness (1997) within the framework of translingualism. Through the analysis of code-meshing and code-switching events, this article focuses on the identity construction of Edith Grossman, the English translator of the novel In the Palm of Darkness. The occurrence of translingualism is attributed to the complex dynamics of ethnic identity. Through co-participating in the construction process of Montero’s identity in different scenarios, namely resistance, transformation, and inclusiveness, translingualism helps to solve problems of translation methods on a micro scale, translator identity on a meso scale, and the approach of native culture ‘going global’ on a macro scale.

Girmit, intimacy and sexual violence: indentured women on colonial sugar plantations, c. 1834–1917

ABSTRACT This essay investigates the sexual violence against Indian indentured women during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries on colonial plantations around the world through the lens of intimacy and labour. Beginning in the 1830s, Indian men, women, and children were brought to various overseas plantations by colonial planters under the indenture system, which was designed to fill the labour shortage that resulted from the 1833 abolition of slavery in the British Empire. This essay uses the petitions, depositions and letters of indentured women---available in colonial archives in both their native Indian languages and in English translation---to argue that the violence against women was not only perpetuated by plantation authorities but equally by Indian male indentured workers. The paper identifies two forms of violence on the plantations: colonial violence related to racial hierarchy and control over the subjugated subject and patriarchal violence related to Indian social control and domination. Each type of violence was related to intimacy, i.e. closeness of people on plantations. While colonial violence was enacted through power relations, the Indian male violence was enacted through imposition of the patriarchal norms.

Category Shifts in the Chinese–English Translation of Animal Idioms in Journey to the West

Idioms are important elements of language and culture, forming the essence of language and the core of vocabulary. Animal idioms naturally have different connotations in the Chinese and Western cultures, which can pose a tremendous challenge for translators. Thus, the reasons for translators’ choices in this context are significant. To better understand this subject, this study investigates the cognitive category shifts in the translations of animal idioms in Journey to the West. Through the theory of cognitive category shifts, the paper finds that translators’ choices are influenced by cognitive concepts derived from their living environments, cultural backgrounds, and knowledge reserves.

Developing Podcast-Based Learning Media for English Education Among Deaf Students

This study addresses the educational challenges faced by deaf students in Indonesia, focusing on developing and implementing a specialised Android-based application, "PODclusive," to facilitate English language learning. The research aimed to create an interactive learning tool that incorporates sign language and textual translations in both English and Indonesian, tailored to the needs of deaf learners. The methodology was a mixed-method approach, combining qualitative and quantitative analyses. The research and development (R&D) framework guided the application's design, development, and evaluation. Participants included a purposive sample of 30 deaf students from SLB N Pringsewu, ensuring a representation across different learning outcomes. The findings revealed that the PODclusive application significantly enhanced the learning experience for deaf students. Students demonstrated improved comprehension of English language concepts, facilitated by the application’s use of sign language video content and offline accessibility. The application was evaluated through expert reviews and user testing, receiving high validity scores for content, design, and educational impact. The implications of this study underscore the effectiveness of tailored educational technologies in addressing specific learning needs. The PODclusive application exemplifies how digital tools can enhance accessibility and engagement for deaf students, suggesting that further exploring similar technologies could be beneficial. This research contributes to the broader discourse on inclusive education, advocating for more innovative approaches to support diverse learning environments.

Sammy Gronemann’s “Little Mirror”: Translating Tohuwabohu into Utter Chaos

Abstract Reflecting on her English translation of Sammy Gronemann’s novel Tohuwabohu (originally published in German in 1920), which was released under the title Utter Chaos in 2016, Penny Milbouer’s essay reconstructs the enthusiastic reception of the novel by Albert Einstein, a discerning and knowledgeable reader. Milbouer explores the resonance between Gronemann’s and Einstein’s perspectives on modern German Jewish identity, nationalism, and antisemitism. Her essay examines Einstein’s disillusionment with American Jews’ assimilationist tendencies and analyses reasons for the failure to recognize Gronemann’s satire. Delving into Einstein’s experiences with antisemitism in America, Milbouer describes his evolving views on Zionism, contrasting American and European Jewish identities in the “little mirror” of Gronemann’s novel. Her conclusion highlights the contemporary relevance of Gronemann’s satire and Einstein’s warnings about the persistence of antisemitism, confirming that American Jews cannot escape confronting their identity or responding to discrimination and persecution.

The utility of ChatGPT as a generative medical translator.

Large language models continue to dramatically change the medical landscape. We aimed to explore the utility of ChatGPT in providing accurate, actionable, and understandable generative medical translations in English, Spanish, and Mandarin pertaining to Otolaryngology. Responses of GPT-4 to commonly asked patient questions listed on official otolaryngology clinical practice guidelines (CPG) were evaluated with the Patient Education materials Assessment Tool-printable (PEMAT-P.) Additional critical elements were identified a priori to evaluate ChatGPT's accuracy and thoroughness in its responses. Multiple fluent speakers of English, Mandarin, and Spanish evaluated each response generated by ChatGPT. Total PEMAT-P scores differed between English, Mandarin, and Spanish GPT-4 generated responses depicting a moderate effect size of language, Eta-Square 0.07 with scores ranging from 73 to 77 (P-value = 0.03). Overall understandability scores did not differ between English, Mandarin, and Spanish depicting a small effect size of language, Eta-Square 0.02 scores ranging from 76 to 79 (P-value = 0.17), nor did overall actionability scores Eta-Square 0 score ranging 66-73 (P-value = 0.44). Overall a priori procedure-specific responses similarly did not differ between English, Spanish, and Mandarin Eta-Square 0.02 scores ranging 61-78 (P-value = 0.22). GPT-4 produces accurate, understandable, and actionable outputs in English, Spanish, and Mandarin. Responses generated by GPT-4 in Spanish and Mandarin are comparable to English counterparts indicating a novel use for these models within Otolaryngology, and implications for bridging healthcare access and literacy gaps. IV.

The Dilemma and Choices of Indirect Translation: The Transformation of Chinese Classical Novels in Europe from the Early Translations of Yu Jiaoli

ABSTRACT Previous studies on the Yu jiaoli 玉嬌梨 (The Two Fair Cousins) often directly compared the English indirect translation with the Chinese original by neglecting the French translation as the intermedia, treating the two translators as one person and collectively referring to them as the “Westerners.” This article reexamines French translation and English indirect translation in the Anglo-French competition in the early 19th century. Influenced by the trend of Academic Sinology established in France and the dominating French way of intellectual trade between China and Europe, the French translation showed more faithfulness than literariness. However, the English translator was faced with the dilemma and choices of translation – relying on Abel-Rémusat’s good reputation and being more faithful to his translation or being deviated from the French translation by intentional mistranslations, abridgment, and deletions of the main text and the paratext under the multiple purposes of economy, politics, business, and culture. The English translator’s unfamiliarity with the Chinese language has inadvertently produced more mistranslations, further increasing the distance from the French translation.