Creat App Theo EN 4

4 Yin Meida

Abstract

We are living in a time when globalization is developing rapidly, where translation serves as an indispensable medium for communication and cooperation between countries and regions. Various translation theories and techniques sprang up to meet the needs of exchanges of different kinds, and conflicts arose as to what type of translation theory and technique should be adopted. However, there is always invisible power influencing the choice of translation strategies and guiding the process of translating, which is ideology. This article will present the relations between translation and ideology, a few cases of how ideology affected translation and its consequences, as well as appropriateness theory which could help ease the tension and to some extent reduce the influence of ideology to translation so as to preserve the value and meaning of translation.

Key Words

ideology, appropriateness, translating,communication and cooperation

Introduction

We have done a pretty good job in introducing and translating foreign works, especially English ones into Chinese. The past decades have seen tremendous influence of English books, songs,films etc on our society and daily life. We embrace their ideas and lifestyles from which we benefit a lot. Yet our achievements and efforts in promoting Chinese culture, books, songs and movies are far from enough. Cooperation and communication are based on mutual understanding. In order to achieve that and contribute to the peaceful development of the world, we shall not only embrace other cultures, but should help others know about Chinese culture and ideas. And Translation plays a significant part in this respect. However, more than a hundred years ago, when British army forced open China's door with advanced weapons, translation activities, under the influence of different ideologies, are biased and serve for the purpose of safeguarding the interests of nations and rulers. The foreign translation of Chinese works then has shaped western people's views on China and Chinese people for over a century. With the development of globalization and the increasing amount of cooperation, China seems to be paid more attention to and be known by more and more countries. However, there are still some deep-rooted prejudices and stereotypes against China, which hinders the smooth communication and cooperation between China and other countries. Translation, when manipulated by ideology, shall lose its value and significance. This article will summarize the relation between translation and ideology, analyze the influence and consequences of translation under the manipulation of ideology through a few cases, and put forward the principle of appropriateness to reduce such influence and preserve the value of translation. On the one hand, we shall not blindly accept others' ideologies, but take the essence and discard the dregs in line with the actual situation of our country. At the same time, we should try our best to spread our essence so that people from different countries shall have a better understanding of China and Chinese people, realize that China has been a peace-loving nation and we respect different cultures for thousands of years, and such shall never be taken as a threat but a friend who strives to work with others to build a community with a shared future for mankind.