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| | 24 September 2007 05:26 |
| | 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".
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| | 24 September 2007 05:50 |
| | 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 |
| | 24 September 2007 06:09 |
| | Thanks again for your letter!
So, what kinds of things do you think would be displayed at that fair? CC: pluiepoco |
| | 24 September 2007 06:18 |
| | 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! |
| | 24 September 2007 06:25 |
| | 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:
[éžå¸¸æ„Ÿè°¢ä½ 还记得我,近æ¥ä¸€åˆ‡éƒ½å¥½å§ï¼] I am pleasantly surprised at your letter. How are you going on?
[ç¥ï¼šå·¥ä½œé¡ºåˆ©ã€ç”Ÿæ´»æ„‰å¿«ï¼] 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,ä½ ç»™æˆ‘çš„å°è±¡è¿˜æ˜¯æŒºä¸é”™çš„,希望我们常期ä¿æŒè”系,如果有到ä¸å›½å¹¿å·žæ¥çš„è¯éšæ—¶å¯ä»¥å’Œæˆ‘è”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. |
| | 24 September 2007 06:33 |
| | 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. |
| | 24 September 2007 09:06 |
| | 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 |
| | 24 September 2007 09:12 |
| | 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. |
| | 24 September 2007 09:25 |
| | 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 |
| | 24 September 2007 10:41 |
| | Dear IanMegill2,
Thank you for your translation. It has been a great help.
All the best,
Chicom |
| | 24 September 2007 10:57 |
| | My pleasure: I learned a lot!
I hope to see one of your translations around here soon too! CC: chicom |