Translation theory and practice.doc

Translation theory and practice There has long been a hot debate over the issue of translation theory and practice. A great number of people believe that translation practice is superior to the theory while others hold an opposite viewpoint . As a translation-oriented college student, I personally assume that both theory and practice are essential for the translator who aims to achieve ess in his career. To start with, it is obvious that a translator should be familiar with all the theories of translation, associated skills and strategies, which can provide an important foundation for its practice. S econdly, t ranslation theories, like Skopos Theory, can offer usa great help in, first, identifying and defining a translation problem; second, indicating all the factors that have to be taken account in solving the problem; finally, mending the most appropriate translation procedure. Consequently, having a deep understanding in the theoretical knowledge can make it possible for us to yield twice the result with half the effort. Without any doubt, solely reading the translation theories is never enough to turn someone into a professional translator. Newmark, one of the greatest translators throughout the history of mankind, pointed out that “ Translation theory is pointless and sterile if it does not arise from the problems of translation practice, from the need to stand back and r