Translation and the Reader——with special emphasis on translation of Chinese into English

摘要

A translation, either intralingual or interlingual, is normally intended for a target language reader, even though the translator does the job for his own pleasure, for he himself can perhaps be regarded as the first reader of his effort. For hundreds of years there have been controversies over the principles of translation and how to make it a success. These controversies among translators inside or outside China have largely focussed on the distinction between literal or faithful translation and idiomatic or free translation. So far there have been no universally accepted principles of translation. One thing, however, is shared by many,