English Abstracts of Major Papers

From the Translation of Philosophy to the Philosophy of Translation: The Reciprocal Relationship between Philosophy and Translation and Its Likely Development in the Future 

By QIN Jianghua (Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China) p.5 

Abstract: Translation and philosophy, as two forms of discursive practices, are inherently related. This relationship expresses itself in four conducts: translating philosophical texts; philosophizing through  translation; adopting a philosophical approach to the study of translation; and applying methods of  translation studies to philosophical research. Significant achievements have been made to enhance the philosophy/translation nexus in all these conducts, but there is still great potential for further development of this relationship, particularly in the following directions: promoting philosophical exchanges and dialogues through translation and research; investigating the relationship between translation and the generation of philosophical knowledge, with a focus on the translation of philosophical works, ideas and concepts, the translators (groups), and the institutions; making use of both Eastern and Western philosophical resources for consolidating the conceptual foundation for translation studies, with particular attention being paid to whatever Chinese philosophy has to offer; and facilitating the construction of a philosophy of translation so as to better meet the theoretical needs for developing translation studies, and to promote interdisciplinary fertilization as well. 

Keywords: translation of philosophy; philosophy of translation; Western philosophy; Chinese  philosophy; disciplinary philosophy 

The Developmental Trajectories of Traditional Chinese Discourse on Translation 

By CHEN Daliang (Soochow University, Suzhou, China) p.14 

Abstract: A close observation of China’s history of translation practices, theories, thoughts and cultures leads to the finding that traditional Chinese discourse on translation had developed along two main threads running parallel to each other. Oriented toward faithfulness, the first thread is identifiable with five key notions, namely, unhewn translation, sincerity and fidelity, literal translation, similarity in effect, and unmediated transparency between ST and TT. The second thread, with a general orientation toward beauty, runs through another set of five key concepts, including refined translation, elegant translation, free translation, vividness in spirit, and transmigration of souls. Each of the five concepts in the first thread pairs up with the corresponding concept of the same order in the second thread, and the five conceptual duos thus formed mark the five periods of Chinese translation’s historical development.  

Keywords: traditional Chinese discourse on translation; main thread; developmental trajectory;  conceptual evolution; historical period 

The Development of a Theoretical Framework for the Criticism of Translator Behavior: A Historical Perspective 

By LI Zhengshuan & ZHANG Dan (Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, China) p.22 

Abstract:Combining the perspectives of translatology and sociology, translator behavior criticism adds yet another mode to sociologically oriented criticism and ushers in the third stage in the theoretical development of translation criticism. It is a theory of criticism that takes the translator as the research focus, explores the translator’s identity, studies how the roles assumed by the translator influence the conduct of translation and condition its effect. The methodology of the theory consists primarily of three critical approaches: combining the inside and the outside of translation; combining the static and the dynamic mode; and combining the textual and the human factors. Since its inception, translator behavior criticism has been gaining steadily in theoretical depth and breadth and has gone through within a short period of time four stages of development: the initial stage (2002-2009), the growing stage (2010-2013), the mature stage (2014-2018) and the deepening stage (2019-). Its application to even more areas of practice, such as translation of classics, history of translation, interpreting and audio-visual translation, is only to be expected.

Keywords: criticism of translator behavior; role; conduct; theory; historical development; approach 

Embodied-Cognitive Translatology: The Rising of a New Paradigm 

By ZHU Chaowei (Sichuan International Studies University, Chongqing, China) p.29 

Abstract: Drawing on Thomas Kuhn’s paradigm theory, this paper elaborates on the innovations of Embodied-Cognitive Translatology (ECT) as a new paradigm of translation studies and as the latest effort to integrate embodied philosophy, cognitive linguistics, embodied-cognitive linguistics in response to the paradigmatic crisis that the translation studies is currently experiencing. With its heightened problem consciousness, deep-lying theoretical foundation and strong explanatory power, ECT fosters the growth of a new community of translation scholars and, as a rising paradigm, brings many needed innovations to  the field. 

Keywords: paradigm; community; worldview; ECT; innovative value 

Embodied-Cognitive Monism in the Philosophy of Mind and Embodied- Cognitive Translatology 

By LIN lin (Shenyang University of Chemical Technology, Shenyang, China) & YAO Zhenjun (Dongbei  University of Finance and Economics, Dalian, China) p.39 

Abstract: Ti (embodiment) and ren (cognition) are the two key terms of embodied-cognitive translatology. Of the two, the former refers to the subject’s experience of interacting with the external world, while the latter denotes the subject’s consciousness and its internal cognitive processing. Within the theoretical framework of embodied-cognitive (ti-ren) monism put forward by philosophers of mind, this paper identifies the internal logical relation between ti and ren as both a dynamic relation of attachment and, statically, a relation of emergence on the surface level and one of identity on the deep level. The paper then goes on to offer an overall frame diagram for the distribution of these plural relations’ characteristics, illustrating with examples the relations of supervenience, emergence and identity involved in translation.  

Keywords: ti and ren; relations; supervenience; emergence; identity 

Marx and Engels’s Conception of Canonizing Translation 

By YANG Mingxing & ZHANG Yu (Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China) p.48 

Abstract: This article summarizes the main ideas of Marx and Engels’s conception of canonizing translation. By canonizing translation, they mean rendering canonized source texts into a different language in such a way that the target texts not just reproduce their canonicity, but also dynamically enhance and even surpass whatever the original has achieved, so that the translations also establish themselves solidly as canons in the target linguistic and cultural context. According to Marx and Engels, to practice canonizing translation, one should adhere to five principles, namely, equivalence in  rhetorical impacts; equivalence in stylistic effects; adaptation to specific target readers; high precision in conveying the meaning of the source text; and cross-referring with other translated versions of the source texts concerned. In addition, four practical guidelines should be followed: the right of translation should be reserved only for the original authors; only politically reliable and technically competent translators qualify for the job in question; the procedure for undertaking the project of translation should be scientifically justified and rigorously planned; and the translators should always keep the project’s communicative telos in their minds. And finally, canonizing translation could be facilitated with the adoption of eight strategies. They include trial translation; proofreading; back translation; rewriting; retranslation; transfer translation; omission; and addition. Marx and Engels’s thoughts on canonizing translation originated from their rich translation practices and systematic exploration of translation theories. These thoughts constitute a significant part of Marxist discourse and have contributed much to the development of translation and communication theories. 

Keywords: Marx and Engels; canonizing translation; principle; guideline; strategy; integration of  translation and communication; translation system