-
Abstract
Parataxis and hypotaxis is the most
distinguishing features in linguistics between
Chinese
and
English.
Chinese
lay
stress
on
parataxis,
while
English
lay
stress
on
hypotaxis.
The
distinction between hypotaxis and parataxis can be
traced back to the
different
philosophical
foundation
as
well
as
the
different
way
of
thinking
between
Chinese and people
from English-speaking countries. In translation,
we must omit or
add some words even
phrases to make the translation close to the
native expression?
With
time
passing
by,
Both
English
and
Chinese
are
changing,
When
we
do
translation, we should
also take the development into consideration.
Key words:
parataxis; hypotaxis difference;
translation
；
changing
中文摘要
意合和形合是中文和英文最大的区别，中文重意合，英文重形合。这种区
别可以归结于中国和英语国家不同的哲学基础以及不同的思维方式。在翻译中，
我们应增加或者减少一些词汇使翻译更加地道。
随着时间的流逝，
中英文都在不
断变化，翻译时我们应该考虑到这些变化。
关键词：意合；形合；区别
;
翻译；变化
Introduction
In
this part, I will introduce some basic knowledge
of Parataxis and Hypotaxis.
Parataxis
derives
from
Greek
word
“hupo
taxis
“(
hupo
+
taxis
=
under
arrangement
),which
means
the
coordinate,
subordinate
or
embedding
constructions
or
relationships of clauses and sentences with
connectives. While Hypotaxis derives
from
Greek
word
“
parataxis”(
para+
taxis=
beside
arrangement
),which
means
the
arranging of
clauses
and sentences one
after the
other without connectives showing
the relation between them.
Parataxis
and
Hypotaxis
are
means
to
connect
sentences
and
paragraphs
in
all
languages. Most linguists agree that
English is more hypotactic while Chinese more
paratactic.
So
we
call
the
English
structure
as
“
tree-
type
”
and
the
Chinese
as
“
bamboo-
type
”
vividly.
1. Difference between Chinese and
English
The
distinction
between
hypotaxis
and
parataxis
can
be
traced
back
to
the
different
philosophical
foundation
as
well
as
the
different
way
of
thinking
between
Chinese and people
from English-speaking countries.
In
ancient
China,
there
are
three
typical
kinds
of
theories
concerning
relationships
between
man
and
nature:
Zhuangzi's
theory
of
conforming
to
nature,
Xunzi's
theory
of
transforming
nature,
and
the
harmonious
relationship
between
humans and nature
advocated in Yijing .Human beings are an integral
part of nature.
According
to
Zhang
Zai,
human
beings
are
a
component
of
heaven
and
earth,
or
nature. Thus, human
beings should also obey the laws of nature. The
theory also holds
the view that ethical
principles are consistent with natural rules. The
ideal of life is to
attain
harmony
between
man
and
nature.
By
contrast,
Western
dualism
led
to
an
opposition between man and nature.
According
to
the
famous
scholar,
Ji
Xianlin,
each
of
the
four
Chinese
characters
tian
ren
he
yi
respectively
means
nature,
human
beings,
mutual
understanding and
friendship, and oneness. While Westerners always
try to conquer
and
plunder
from
nature
with
its
increasingly
highly
advanced
technologies,
the
ancient Eastern sages admonish that
human beings are just a small part of, and closely
linked
to,
the
world.
These
thoughts
are
universal
in
Chinese
culture.
For
instance,
traditional Chinese tea sets always
have three parts: the lid, cup, and tray,
respectively
symbolizing heaven,
people, and earth. In another example, Chinese
stress reunions of
the
family,
and
consider
harmonious
family
relationships
a
great
fulfillment
and
pleasure in life, while the westerners
are generally more individual, independent, and
adventurous.
What
’
s more,
Chinese lay stress on
systemization and integrity, while
English
lay
stress
on
analysis
and
formalization.
As
a
result,
Chinese
is
covert-relation
representation;
Lacking
in
formal
markers,
loose
and
detached
structure;
English
is
overt-meaning
representation
；
Rich in
formal markers, rigid and well-knit structure.
2. Translation between Chinese and
English
2.1 English-Chinese translation
Some
English
sentences,
especially
compound
sentences,
composite
sentences
and
coordinate
complex
sentences is
highly
hypotactic.
In
translation,
if
you
don
’
t
omit the coordinators, subordinators,
relative pronouns, adverbs and prepositions. The
translated work will seems to be too
complicated. I will elaborate it though examples.
1. Smart as a rule, but this time a
fool..
A
、通常很聪明，但此刻很糊涂。
B
、聪明一世，糊涂一时。
2. Come if you like.
A
、如果你想来就来吧
B
、想来就来吧
3.
When
Smith
was
drunk,
he
used
to
beat
his
wife
and
daughter;
and
the
next
morning,
with
a
headache,
he
would
rail
at
the
word
for
its
neglect
of
his
genius.
A
、当史密斯喝醉之后，他常常打老婆和女儿；并且第二天带着头痛
发牢骚，
抱怨世人不能赏识他的才华。
B
、史密斯喝醉之后，常常打老婆和女儿；第二天带着头痛发牢骚，抱怨世
人不能赏识他的才华。
From
the
example
above,
we
can
find
that
“
B
”
is
better
than
“
A
”
.
Why?
Because
in
“
B
”
,
we
omit
the
connectives
such
as:
“
but
”
“
if
”
<
/p>
”
when
”
,
so
the
translated
Chinese vision in
”
B
“
is nature, simple and
smooth.
However, there
are also some Chinese sentences carry the
hypotactic features,
thus, we might as
well retain the original words. Most of these
kinds of words are
connectives
which
represent
causes
and
results,
purposes
or
conditions.
Here
are
examples.
1. If anyone
should call, please let me know.