번역 - 전통 중국어-영어 - 你好！

Thanks for translation, Ianmegill,

I must say that, you are quite word-by-word translator in this ordinary (maybe business) letter.

I think the precision is unnecessary.

The 制冷展 can be possibly "conditioning/referigerating exhibition/fair".

Thanks pluiepoco,

Yes, I usually try to stick as closely to the text as I can in daily communicative situations (i.e. not literary ones), in order to help the two parties understand each other as precisely as possible. (Especially in business, such mutual understanding can be very important...) Of course, I do modify it the minimum amount necessary, to ensure that English native speakers are still as comfortable with it as possible!

As for the "refrigeration fair," can you guess what kinds of things would be displayed at such a fair?

Thanks for your help!

CC: pluiepoco

Thanks again for your letter!

So, what kinds of things do you think would be displayed at that fair?

CC: pluiepoco

Hi again pluiepoco,

I "colloquialized" the text a little and put the literal Chinese in the notes instead, in reponse to your kind suggestion!

Once again, thanks for all your help and support!

You have done quite well, What I criticised was not of your carefulness, but possibly your complication over the simple text.

As in any language, Chinese language has many etiquettely and respectful wordings, if you try to translate them precisely, the target readers will be confused by this, and would probably divert the reader from the core of the information.

For examples in this letter:

[非常感谢你还记得我，近来一切都好吧！] I am pleasantly surprised at your letter. How are you going on?

[祝：工作顺利、生活愉快！] Best Wishes and Many Good Returns for Your Life and Work.

[在制冷展上的认识也许是我们的缘分,你给我的印象还是挺不错的，希望我们常期保持联系，如果有到中国广州来的话随时可以和我联系。 ] Our encounter on the [Fair] was a pleasant start, and you gave me good impressions there. Keep in touch always, and you can contact me if you have chance to visit Guangzhou, China.

I didn't see your last post, sorry, but I tried another detailed explanation for you to review on this kind of etiquette, you will find that some styles of Chinese wording are equal to some very fixed greeting words from English. And you will be more quick on the estern idea.

Thanks as always pluiepoco,

I guess the best way, for our two languages that differ so much in modes of expression, is then to make two versions: one "business letter style" (as close as possible to the original, of course) as the main translation, but also a more literal version in the notes, so the reader can see a more exact rendition of just what the Chinese writer really said! Anyway, so that's what I did!

Hope you like it!

CC: pluiepoco

Ok, that is great idea, but this will also puzzle the user, because he may not know which is better to choose.

But I agree with you. Let us practise it.

I think will anyone who understands English will instantly see which one is more natural! Anyway, we can always underline in the notes that the literal translation is just that: a literal translation!

It seems the best compromise solution: thanks for all your time and kind advice!

CC: pluiepoco

Dear IanMegill2,

Thank you for your translation. It has been a great help.

All the best,

Chicom

My pleasure: I learned a lot!

I hope to see one of your translations around here soon too!

CC: chicom