Contents Abstract........................................................................................................................I 摘要..............................................................................................................................III List of Figures.........................................................................................................IV Chapter One Introduction (1)
1.1Background of the study (1)
1.2 Objectives of the Thesis (2)
1.3 Significance of the Study (2)
1.4 Structure of the Thesis (3)
Chapter Two Literature Review (5)
2.1Definition and Classification of Hedges (5)
2.1.1Definition of Hedges (5)
2.1.2Hedges Classifications (7)
2.2 Previous Studies on Hedges (9)
2.2.1 Studies on Hedges Abroad (9)
2.2.2 Studies on Hedges at Home (10)
2.3 Studies on Hedges in Business Interpretation (12)
2.3.1 Definition of Business Interpretation (12)
2.3.2 Previous Studies of Hedges in Business Interpretation (13)
2.4 Summary (14)
Chapter Three Theoretical Framework (15)
3.1The Introduction of Versc hueren’s Adaptation Theory (15)
3.1.1 Making Choices (15)
3.1.2 Language Properties (16)
3.1.3 Four Angles of Investigation of Adaptation Theory (18)
3.2 Proposed Hedges Translation in Business Interpretation Based on Adaptation
Theory (22)
Chapter Four Methodology (25)
4.1 Research Questions (25)
4.2 Data Collection (25)
4.3 Research Procedure (26)
Chapter Five Discussion of Hedges Interpretation Based on Adaptation Theory (27)
5.1 Dynamically-Adapting Process of Hedges in Business Interpretation (27)
5.1.1 Contextual Correlat es of Adaptation and Translator’s Mental Workings
(28)
5.1.2 Interpreter’s Adaptation Motivated by Social-Cultural Context (28)
5.2 Adaptation Process of Hedges Translation in Business Interpretation (29)
5.2.1 Temporal Dimension and Dynamics of Adaptation (29)
5.2.2 Interpreter’s Social-Cultural Context and Dynamics of Adaptation (29)
5.3 Summary (31)
Chapter Six Hedges Translation Strategies in Business Interpretation from the Perspective of Adaptation Theory (34)
6.1 Strategies Analysis of Hedges Translation in Business Interpretation Based
on Adaptation Theory (34)
6.1.1 Hedges for Hedges (34)
6.1.2 Other Suggested Strategies (40)
6.2 The Application of Hedges Translation Strategies in the Aspect of Four
Angles of Adaptation Theory (43)
6.2.1 Contextual Correlates of Adaptability (43)
6.2.2 Structural Objects of Adaptability (50)
6.2.3 Dynamics of Adaptability (51)
6.2.4 Salience of the Adaptation Processes (52)
6.3 The Application of Hedges Translation Strategies in the Aspect of Hedges
Classification (52)
6.3.1 Approximators---Adaptors (53)
6.3.2 Approximators---Rounders (54)
6.3.3 Shields---Plausibility Shields (55)
6.3.4 Shields---Attribution Shields (56)
6.4 Summary (57)
Chapter Seven Conclusion (59)
7.1 Major Findings (60)
7.2 Limitations (61)
References (62)
Acknowledgments (64)
Appendix I Publications (65)
Abstract
As a typical representative of fuzzy language, hedges widely exist in verbal communication, and this term was first proposed by G. Lakoff in 1972. Since then, hedges arouse more and more scholars’ interests. They have studied hedges from different fields including functions of hedges, comparative study of hedges between Chinese and English, discourse analysis and so on.
Business Interpretation is fairly representative of a two-way communicative act. Like other relevant parts of interpretation, it is also a communication with the character of cross-language, cross-border and cross-culture. It is not only the transformation process of language, the promotion of mutual understanding and communication between business parties under the large business environment, but the development of international business deals and mutual cooperation as well.
Adaptation Theory, the main essence of pragmatic thought, states that language use is a process of continuous choice and adaptation. It also holds that language use has features of adaptability, negotiability and variability. Language adaptation is carried out in four dimensions, namely, contextual adaptation, structural adaptation, dynamic adaptation, and the degree of salience. This also provides a strong theoretical basis for the research of general translation studies, especially on the construction of interpretation framework and translation strategies. Although there have been a lot of studies on hedges and on Business Interpretation, studies on hedges in Business Interpretation are rare, let alone the translation strategies of hedges in Business Interpretation from the perspective of Adaptation Theory.
From the perspective of Adaptation Theory, this paper is intended to analyze the hedges translation strategies in Business Interpretation. On the qualitative basis of numerous examples of interpretation, the author discusses and analyzes the hedges translation process and its strategies of Business Interpretation. This paper attempts to answer how the interpreter makes choices and adapts the hedges in the process of Business Interpretation.
Through the study, the hedges translation strategies are classified into two
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