At 3:00 p.m. on September 26, 2019, an excellent academic lecture entitled “Paradigmatic Revolution of Translation Studies and Historic Responsibility of Chinese Translators” was held at School of Foreign Languages. It was delivered by Zhao Yanchun, professor from Shanghai University. Professor Zhao, director of Center for Research on Translation of Chinese Traditional Culture of Shanghai University, is entitled president of Research Association of International Sinology and Education, executive president of Association of Bilingual Research on Sinology and deputy president of China Association of Language and Education. He majors in theoretical linguistics and cognitive lexicography and he also targets the philosophy of language and translation studies. Besides, he is devoted to English translation of Chinese classic philosophy and literature likeThe Book of Songsas well as the modern and contemporary poems. This lecture was presided over by professor Liu Zequan from School of Foreign Languages. Postgraduates, doctoral students and teachers attended the lecture with great enthusiasm.
Professor Zhao started this lecture with a brief introduction and an analysis of his latest translation work，Ode to the Motherland.Then, he pointed out two types of misunderstanding in the process of translation including inappropriate transcription and the widely-accepted notion ( “translation equals illustration”). He proposed that improper use of transcription distorted the original meaning of the words by giving examples of the translation of the Bible and Tao Te Ching. Afterwards, he claimed that illustration without thinking resulted in incomplete meaning, hence, connotations of a certain work should be emphasized. Additionally, he appealed for the unity of form and meaning in translation.
At the end of the lecture, Professor Zhao gave detailed answers to the questions raised by the students. He proposed that great importance should be attached to Functional Equivalence Theory and the philosophical connotation of vocabulary in translation. In addition, Professor Zhao held that one should not distinguish the truth or fault in the process of academic studies, with the prospect that there should be some degree of critical thinking in translation. Finally, Professor Zhao expressed his sincere wishes that the attendees can benefit from this lecture and make great achievement in the future.
Professor Zhao’s in-depth explanations and humorous analysis impressed the attendees deeply. At the same time, this lecture deepened their understanding of the paradigmatic revolution in translation and the role of contemporary Chinese translators.(author:Jiang Shu)
