1 单元 3. Linguistic Features of Scientific LiteratureSyntactically, scientific literature has rigorous grammatical structures, and in most cases is rather unitary. Morphologically, scientific literature is featured by high specialization, the use of technical terms and jargons, unambiguous implication and the fixed sense of the word. 2. Principles or Criteria of TranslationWhenever principles or criteria of translation are under discussion in China, Yan Fus “three-character guide”-xin, da, ya, namely, “faithfulness (信), expressiveness (达), and elegance (雅)”, which was first proposed in 1898, would evoke controversy.Despite a variety of opinions, two criteria are almost unanimously accepted by all, namely, the criterion of faithfulness/accuracy (忠实/准确) and that of smoothness (流畅). We may also take these two criteria as the principles of scientific literature translation. By faithfulness/accuracy, we mean to be faithful not only to the original contents, to the original meaning and views, but also to the original form and style. By smoothness, we mean not only easy and readable rendering, but also idiomatic expression in the target language, free from stiff formula and mechanical copying from dictionaries.3. Literal Translation and Free TranslationLiteral translation (直译) and free translation (意译) are two dynamic approaches in dealing with such awkward situations.For example, crocodiles tears (鳄鱼的眼泪), armed to the teeth (武装到牙齿), chain reaction (连锁反应), gentlemens agreement (君子协定), and so on. Similarly, some Chinese idioms also find their English counterparts through literal translation. For example, 纸老虎 (paper tiger),一国两制 (one country, two systems ), and so on.Adams Apple 喉结 at sixes and sevens 乱七八槽 It rains cats and dogs. 大雨滂沱 Dont cross the bridge till you get to it. 不必担心过早。 (不必自寻烦恼。)Do you see any green in my eye? 你以为我是幼稚可欺的吗?In the application of literal translation, we should endeavor to rid ourselves of stiff patterns and rigid adherence to translation rules, trying to be flexible; while in the practice of free translation, we should be cautious of subjectivity, avoiding groundless affirmation or arbitrary fabrication. In actual practice, we often alternate or combine these two approaches instead sticking to either.Special Attention: The Translation of DocumentationIn order to expand his/her scope of knowledge, a conscientious translator should always do two things on his/her own: (1) constantly exposing himself/herself to various reading materials, various documents etc. on all subject relevant to his/her work; (2) conscientiously consulting the relevant background materials or referential materials on the subject dealt with by the text so as to keep up with the latest development of science and technology.1. Put the following sentences into Chinese, using either literal or free translation.1) It was the best of times, it was the worst of times; it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness; it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity; it was the season of the Light, it was the season of Darkness; it was the spring of Hope, it was the winter of Despair; we had everything before us, we had nothing before us; we were all going to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way.( 这是最美好的时期，这是最坏的时斯;这是智惫的年代,这是愚蠢的年代;这是充满信仰的时代,这是顾虑重重的时代;这是光明的季节，这是黑暗的季节;这是富有希望的春天，这是充满绝望的寒冬;我们拥有一切，我们一无所有;我们正笔直走向天堂，我们正笔直走向地狱.)2) A greeting card can warm a heart, hold a hand, lend an ear, pat a back, light up a face, tickle a funny bone, dry an eye, surprise a child, woo a sweetheart, toast a bride, welcome a stranger, wave a good-bye, shout a bravo, blow a kiss, mend a quarrel, ease a pain, boost a morale, stop a worry and start a tradition.( 一张小小贺卡可以温暖一颗心，握紧一双手，倾听肺腑言，轻拍友人背;它令人喜洋洋，撩得心痒痒,抹去泪汪汪;它给孩子以惊喜，给恋人以温存，给新娘以祝福，给路人以欢迎; 它可用以挥手道别，高声喝彩，遥寄飞吻，也可用以弥补嫌隙，减轻痛苦，提高士气，解除忧虑，开创一种新风尚。)2. Put the following passage into Chinese.As an important means for preserving knowledge, various literatures have become precious resources or treasures for the mankind, which have greatly contributed to the social progress of the human race.Professional literatures have been regarded as “intangible assets” of the whole world because they are, on the one hand, the summary, generalization, and development of the achievements obtained on the basis of previous experiences or studies; and on the other hand, they have been accumulated and handed down from generation to generation. In this sense, therefore, all kinds of literature are records of precious research findings and academic achievements, and the crystallization of human civilization. 作为一种重要的知识储备手段，各类文献已成为宝贵的资源宝藏，大大促进了人类社会的进步。 专业文献一向被认为是全世界的“无形财产” 。因为一方面它们是对前人的经验或研究成果的总结、概括和发展；另一方面，又是人类长期积累、世代相传的遗产。因此，从这种意义上讲，一切文献都是前入的研究发现和学术成就的宝贵记载，是人类文化的结晶。3. Put the following passage into English.翻泽的意义是将词句从一种语言转换成另一种语言。简单地讲，它是用与原作不同的语言将作者的真正意思准确地复述出来的一种艺术。从以上翻译的定义来看，我们知道词句的原意必须尽可能保持准确，不可有所增删。翻译者的任务只是变换词汇而不是改变其意思。因此，翻译有两种要素：准确性与表达性。准确性是翻译的首要条件。译者必须谨慎地遵循原作者的意思。字词的选择与句式结构必须如实传达原作的思想。