Addition is a translation technique by which extra words, short or even long sentences are added into the translated text to allow closer rendering of contextual meaning of the source text while being able to convey the logic, colloquial style and rhetoric of the target language.
This technique is mostly prevailent when doing Chinese-English (C-E) translation. From a linguistic point of view, while English is subject prominent, Chinse is topic prominent (also known as a “null-subject” language) in which a sentence, in most cases, lacks an explicit subject. Unless the English source text is a “null-subject” sentence, which is very few, or that passive voice or a “There be” sentence structure is deployed, it is sensible if not necessary to, based on the context, provide a subject in the translated text to derive a self-sustained sentence when doing C-E translation.
In addition, Chinese and English differ greatly on the usage of noun, pronoun, conjunction, preposition and article. The use of pronoun is common in English whose grammar states that a possessive pronoun has to be used in front of a noun when is referring to people, indicating the relationship of belonging or association between one person (thing) and another. For that reason, possessive pronoun needs to be added into the translated text accordingly when doing C-E translation and vice versa. Furthermore, the logic formation between noun, clauses and sentences in English is embodied through the use of conjunction while such a composition is demonstrated through context and word sequence in Chinese. Therefore, conjunction supplement is almost essential when doing C-E translation. Preposition and article are integral to English grammar.
Last but not least, certain aspects in the source text need to be elaborated to make a comprehensive translation, including underlying meaning, as well as non-specific and annotative text. In essence, the use of addition is to ensure that both grammar and contextual meaning in the translated text is self-contained and correct.
Opposite to addition, omission refers to the removal of word, phrase and text which is, not only deemed unnecessary in the translation, but also contradicts and differs from the target language’s logic, colloquial style and rhetoric. Yet, the purpose of omission is to accommodate the features of syntax, grammar and figure of speech as much as possible in the translated text, rather than deliberately take out contextual meaning in the source text. Such a deployment is subjected to below two scenarios:
- To explicit the lexical meaning and figurative language in the translated text, and delete repetitive and redundant word, phrases or clauses.
- To ensure grammar accuracy and colloquial style in the translated text. Chinese is a parataxis language while English lays stress on hypostasis. When doing E-C translation, unwanted pronoun, conjunction, preposition and article need to be removed to make a succinct translation.