Translation Theories in the Context of the Chinese Language – How Applicable are they to Community Translation?

Abstract

This article presents a critical review of translation theories advocated in the context of the Chinese language with a focus on their applicability to Community Translation (Taibi & Ozolins, 2016). Community Translation often aims to provide information crucially important to the basic human rights of linguistic minorities. Yet, Chinese translation theories have been largely developed for the translation of literary and religious texts, relying on literary critique of impressionistic and subjective ideas. Therefore, such an approach would not work in the field of Community Translation. A discussion of Community Translation in the context of the Chinese language could add a functional perspective, considerations of the pragmatic functions of both the Source and the Target texts and the perspectives of both the ‘producers’ and the end-users. Discussion in these aspects could help better investigate and evaluate a translated text that aims to help members of linguistically disadvantaged communities participate in the mainstream society of the language context