Introduction to Chinese-English Translation
Lynette Xiaojing Shi is a translator and interpreter with 30 years experience teaching at the University of Hawaii and the Monterey Institute of International Studies, where she is an Associate Professor in the Graduate School of Translation and Interpretation. In addition to her work as a translator at the Unted Nations, Lynette has translated the classic Chinese novel Camel Xiangzi and has consulted on Chinese-English dictionaries published in China. She also performs translations for many private and public organizations.
Written in collaboration with Zinan Ye, a colleague at the Monterey Institute of International Studies, Introduction to Chinese-English Translation covers all of the necessary tools to improve translation skills and discusses the principles of translation between these two languages. This is the first book of its kind to be published in the United States providing a comprehensive, hands-on guide for experienced translators as well as students entering the field.
The book begins with a discussion of the primary issues in the field of translation, while introducing ten essential skills together with practical examples. The following chapters address specific grammatical and language style concepts like metaphors, idioms, and text analysis. Translation strategies are analyzed and discussed in detail with six practice texts and sample translations.
Camel Xiangzi is a masterpiece by Lao She, the modern Chinese novelist and dramatist. Lynette Sze first translated this classic in 1978, and was asked to review the translation and translate two final chapters for a new bilingual edition in 2001.
This classic story describes the life of a rickshaw puller during the years of warlord turmoil in the first half of the 20th century, and how the social upheaval, poverty and injustice destroys ordinary people even when they try to improve themselves. The novel is a tragedy, but contains many examples of Lao She's gentle irony, black humor, lively character portraits, and vivid descriptions of life in the city of Beiping (now Beijing).
