摘 要

该文通过分析网络新词汇的特点,试图从关联翻译理论的视角,探讨通过灵活地采用翻译策略和方法,努力构建原语与译语之间的最佳关联,创造出既能体现中国特色文化,又能让英语国家人们易于接受的译语。

关键词： 关联理论；网络词汇；英语翻译

Contents

1. Introduction…………………………………………………………………………1

2. Demonstration……………………………………………………………………... 1

2.1 Internet catchwords………………………………………………………………..2

2.1.1 Definition of Internet catchwords……………………………………………….2

2.1.2 Features of Internet catchwords…………………………………………………3

2.1.2.1Novelty…………………………………………………………………………3

2.1.2.2 Simplicity……………………………………………………………………...3

2.1.2.3 Popularity……………………………………………………………………...3

2.2 The Relevance-theory……………………………………………………………...4

2.2.1 The development of Relevance-theory…………………………………………..4

2.3 The translation principle of Internet catchwords…………………………………..5

2.3.1 To express pragmatic and literal meaning……………………………………….5

2.3.2 To adopt economic and concise principle……………………………………….5

2.3.3 To maintain original and basic style……………………………………………..6

2.4 Possible translation methods based on the Relevance-theory……………………..6

2.4.1 Literal translation………………………………………………………………..7

2.4.2 Literal translation with explanation……………………………………………..8

2.4.3 Free translation…………………………………………………………………..9

2.4.4 Transliteration……………………………………………………………………9

2.4.5 Innovative translation methods………………………………………………...10

2.4.5.1 Borrowing…………………………………………………………………….11

2.4.5.2 Compounding………………………………………………………………...11

2.4.5.3 Blending……………………………………………………………………...12

3. Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………12

Works Cited…………………………………………………………………………..14

Bibliography………………………………………………………………………….15

The Translation of Chinese Internet Catchwords into English from the Perspective of Relevance Theory

1. Introduction

With the increasing number of netizens, Internet catchwords have become a necessary part of our lives. They are widely used on the Internet, in newspapers and magazines, attracting more and more academic attention. However, relevant researches mostly focus on the linguistic, cultural and communicative aspects. Meanwhile, the social influences of catchwords have also been studied. The existing studies on the translation of Chinese Internet catchwords into English only concentrate on few words or sentences. Thus systematic research is essential. A comprehensive study of the English translation of Chinese Internet catchwords will be conducted from the perspective of the Relevance Theory.

1. Demonstration

The study of Internet language and Internet catchwords started at the beginning of 21st century. In a short period of 10 years, monographs and dictionaries on Internet language have been published. The first Chinese Internet dictionary is Yi (2000), and some representative writings are Yu (2001), Liu (2002), and Tang (2010). When searching the topics “Internet catchwords” in CNKI（www.cnki.net）, we get thousands of results, with more than 300 journal articles. Half of them were issued between 2009 and 2011. Researches related to Internet catchwords are emerging in an endless stream, most of which mainly focus on the following aspects: linguistic features of Internet catchwords, culture analysis, transmission system, and the influence of it on traditional values. However, the studies of English translation of Chinese Internet catchwords are still scattered. Most researches just focus on the English translation of one or several Chinese Internet catchwords. There are 19 Master’s theses. Chen (2008) reviews the development and research of Internet catchwords, and then discusses their types and characteristics. He analyses Internet catchwords from the perspective of Culturology. Zeng (2011) classifies Internet Catchwords into 12 categories. On this basis, he elaborates connotative culture meaning behind each type of Internet catchwords.

Recent study on the English translation of Chinese Internet catchwords is primarily based on eco-translatology put forward by Professor Hu Gengshen. In the translation process, according to Hu (2003), the translator conducts the analysis from three-dimensional transformations: linguistic, cultural and communicative dimensions. This thesis aims to examine the translation of Chinese Internet catchwords into English from the perspective of Relevance Theory. After briefly introducing the definition and features of Internet catchwords, the general framework of RT, and the translation principle, we will discuss in detail the possible translation methods based on the RT, presenting a list of translation strategies, with examples taken basically from the latest books, influential papers. These examples are from the hot Internet catchwords selected by famous websites and the press from 2008 to 2014.

• 1. Internet catchwords

2.1.1 Definition of Internet catchwords