英语论文网

guage differs from another, translators have to change some structures of grammar so as to ensure its translatability. Besides, it is not easy for some special language forms to be translated. For example, many translators considerer that poem is untranslatable. While if a poem is translated, the aroma of the poem would disappear. In addition, some cultural phenomenon between different nations is also untranslatable. Because a number of particular national languages have formed their own features in grammars and sentence structures according to their different cultural backgrounds, custom of society and background of times so as to make some cultural phenomenon not easy to be translated. Taking “毛笔”“墨” as examples, people can not find two words to explain these two Chinese characters, if they are translated into Chinese brush(or writing brush), Chinese ink, the appearance of things can not be expressed accurately. Therefore, under some circumstances, languages have the possession of untranlatability. 3.3 On How to Change the Untranslatability into Translatability From the point of view of language reality and translation practice, there indeed exist some untranslatability and untranslatable phenomenon between different languages owing to the limitation of history, geography and culture. However, according to the subject of language, people believe that translatability is absolute, while untranslatability is relative. Thus, translators’ assignment is to change those untranslatable languages into translatable words in a proper and rational way, while do not emphasis on their untranslatability and give up translating those untranslatable languages. Translators should not treat translation lightly, and so-called untranslatability will never be the amulet of translators. Then, on how to change the untranslatability into translatability will be discussed in the following two aspects. 3.3.1 The Way of Literal Translation When translators meet some untranslatable languages, they could try to use the way of literal translation. As is clear to all, Literal translation refers to translating a sentence originally, keeping the original message form, including construction of sentences, meaning of the original words, metaphors and national distinguishing features of the original texts and so on. There are some examples to illustrate the way of literal translation when language is untranslatable. (1) 谋事在人, 成事在天。 Man proposes, Heaven disposes. (2) 我比你多吃了几年咸盐。 I have eaten more salt than you. (3) Dormino effect 多米诺效应 (4) Watergate 水门事件 So, to a certain extent, literal translation is a kind of suitable method to transform the untranslatability into translatability. 3.3.2 The Way of Free Translation Nevertheless, in a certain circumstances, free translation can also be used by translators to alter the untranslatability into translatability. The way of free translation can be explained by the following several examples. (1) 尧舜 Sage Kings (2) Adam’s apple 喉结 (3) 一朝被蛇咬, 十年怕井绳 Once beaten, twice shy (4) Every family is said to have at least one skeleton in the cupboard. 据说家家户户至少也有一桩家丑。 Therefore, literal translation and free translation are the two main ways of changing the untranslatability into translatability.