Literal Translation and Free Translation

【Abstract】There are many kinds of ways and skills about translation， especially literal translation， free translation.

【Key words】literal translation； free translation； awkward translation

I. Introduction

Literal translation and free translation are two basics skills of translation. The controversies between literal translation and free translation last a long time. Literal translation refers to translating a sentence originally. Free translation gives translators some leeway.

II. Literal translation and free translation

1. Literal Translation

Literal translation is a skill in translation. It also keeps the general form of source language， and keeps the structure and metaphor of the original.

Literal translation is not equal to awkward translation. Try to compare：

1.1 Literal translation and awkward translation

In short， awkward translation is “word-for-word translation”. Literal translation is known translation sentence by sentence easily， as a matter of fact， that’s awkward translation. Literal translation is not awkward translation absolutely. Comparing：

e.g.： （1） In some automated plants electronic computers control the entire production line. （在某些自动化工厂，电子计算机控制整个生产线） （Literal Translation）

（2） The earth acts like a big magnet. （地球作用着像一块磁铁）.

（Awkward Translation）

From （2）， we can see easily this example is neither faithful to the original. It can our translated text clear and paring

（2）* 地球的作用像一块大磁铁.

（3） 静夜思 （李白）

床前明月光，疑是地上霜.举头望明月，低头思故乡.

Literal translation： In the still of the night

I descry bright moonlight in front of my Bed，

I suspect it to be hoary frost on the floor.

I watch the bright moon， as I bilt back my Head，

I year， while stooping， for my homeland more.

Awkward translation：

Quiet Night Thought

Bedside bright moonlight，

Is suspected to be frost on the floor.

Raising head to watch the bright moon，

Lowering head to think of the hometown.

It’s easy to see literal translation is much better than awkward translation. According to the requirement“true， intelligible， elegant”， it reaches “true”“intelligible”. We can follow these rules： translate literally， if possible.

1.2Literal translation as the first translation

Why should we put literal translation in the first place？ for one thing， literature translation is helpful to keep the original styles， that’s “exotic atmosphere”， “foreign style” Luxun has appointed.In addition， it is conductive to introduce from elsewhere fresh， vivid words， syntactic construction， making our country’s language abundant，consummate and precise. For instance：

to pour oil in fire （火上加油） to fish in troubled waters（浑水摸鱼）

Literal translation can continue to have target language’s origin meaning. Attention：

Music Bridge （音乐桥） “flying pigeon” bicycle （飞鸽牌自行车）

The main reason is as like Nida saying， “No language communality absolutely，

no translation accuracy definitely”. Some sentences do not accord with expressive way in target language. According this， free translation was put forward.

2. Free Translation

Free translation is a skill which translators must know the culture of both source language and target language， and must have extensive knowledge.

Free translation priority

e.g. 望梅止渴

Literal Translation： To gaze at plums to quench one’s thirst

Free Translation： To console oneself with false hopes；

To reed on funnies （illusion）；

Imagined satisfaction；

III. Conclusion

Literal translation and free translation are important theories in translation， and also starting point between all kinds of translation ways. A perfect translation includes these two kinds of translation. According to Yan Fu’s standard of translation “true， intelligible， elegant”. We need practice and continuously to improve our standard.

（作者单位：陕西省蒲城县尧山中学英语组）