Chinese: Background Language Learner F–10 Sequence / Levels 7 and 8 / Communicating / Translating
Content description
Translate short texts for different audiences, identifying what is lost in translation and considering alternative ways to explain key points
Elaborations
identifying the challenges of translating some concepts (for example, 龙的传人: ‘descendant of dragon’), and developing strategies to overcome these; asking, for example: What is lost in translation? Why can’t we just translate word for word? Why does context matter?
translating short phrases or texts, noting culture-specific words and phrases, and discussing alternatives, equivalence or non-equivalence
discussing reasons for creating different translations for different audiences
comparing alternative ways of translating to identify ‘normality’ in one’s linguistic and cultural context, for example, using the term 软饮料 instead of 无酒精饮料 assumes the reader/audience has a degree of connection to English to understand meaning of 软
considering ways to convey culture-specific terms (for example, 中药和食疗, 上火，大补) in English
