Key Points to Note in English Translation: Expression Habits and Structural Adjustments

Translation is a profession that values originality. Good translation requires adaptation and improvement. This is why high-level translation is costly and why most excellent translators take time to deliver. Translation is not easy; only through practice and experience can one achieve precise control over the text and clear expression.

[Translating the Subject] Due to English expression habits, abstract nouns are often used as subjects, while Chinese tends to use more concrete nouns. In English, prepositions are frequently used to avoid repetition, whereas Chinese does not shy away from repeating words. When translating English plural nouns into Chinese, adjustments are made as needed, often adding quantifiers.

[Translating Predicates] When two or more identical predicates appear in English, they are often omitted to avoid redundancy. In Chinese, it is necessary to make the meaning more explicit. When translating English prepositional phrases into Chinese, verbs are often added. Some English nouns, when translated into Chinese, require additional nouns or verbs to make the meaning complete and the expression clearer.

[Purpose of Adverbials] Usually, the purpose adverbial is placed before the main clause, while the main clause explaining the situation comes after.

[Cause and Effect in Adverbials] The position of adverbials in English is more flexible; they can be placed before or after the main clause. Chinese expression often follows a “cause and effect” order, so it is important to adjust the word order during translation.