摘 要

语气词是一种表示语气的虚词。汉语中，语气词常用在句中或句尾。英语中，语气词常用在句子的开头。在汉语写作中，语气词的使用能让文章妙趣横生，而在翻译英文文章时，尤其是在翻译某些英文文本时，使用一些汉语语气词，则会使译文显得更加地道。因此在做英汉翻译时，语气词的互译和选用是非常讲究的。本文旨在探讨中外语气词在英汉翻译中的互译情况以及使用技巧。全文共分为四部分：第一部分分析中外对英汉翻译中语气词的研究状况；第二部分对中文和英文的语气词进行比较并找出其相同点和不同点；第三部分分析语气词在《京华烟云》英文原版以及中文译本中的使用情况并探讨语气词在英汉翻译中的互译和选用技巧；第四部分为总结。通过本文的研究，希望能给译者在英汉翻译过程中对语气词的互译和选用提供借鉴。

关键词：语气词；英汉翻译；《京华烟云》

Abstract

Modal particles are appended into sentences to indicate some specific moods. In Chinese, modal particles are being the middle or the last word in a whole sentence. In English, modal particles are frequently put at the beginning of a sentence. In Chinese articles, modal particles play a significant role. While translating English articles into Chinese, translators can use Chinese modal particles to make translation more idiomatic. Hence, translators attach importance to the option of Chinese modal particles in English-Chinese translation. The paper discusses the utilization of modal particles in English-Chinese translation by taking Moment in Peking as an example. It aims to find out similarities and differences between English and Chinese modal particles and give suggestions for the transformation of modal particles between the two languages. There are four parts in the paper. The first part analyzes the study situation of modal particles in English-Chinese translation. The second part compares English modal particles with Chinese modal particles. The third part analyzes the application of modal particles in the novel of Moment in Peking, both in the English original novel and the Chinese version, and studies the skills of using modal particles in English-Chinese translation. The fourth part is the conclusion of the paper. Translators can improve translation skills in the use of modal particles in English-Chinese translation from the paper.

Key words: modal particles; English-Chinese translation; Moment in Peking

Contents

1 Introduction 1

2 Comparison of Modal Particles between English and Chinese 3

2.1 Similarities in English and Chinese Modal Particles 3

2.2 Differences between English and Chinese Modal Particles 4

2.3 Requirements of Using Modal Particles in Translation 4

3 Application of Modal Particles in the Translation of Moment in Peking 6

3.1 Transformation of English Modal Particles in the Translation 6

3.2 Omission of English Modal Particles in the Translation 8

3.3 Addition of Chinese Modal Particles in the Translation 10

4 Conclusion 13

References 14

Acknowledgements 15

On the Use of Modal Particles in English-Chinese Translation:

Moment in Peking as Case Study

1 Introduction

Modal particles are appended into sentences to indicate some specific moods. In Chinese, for example, Ma(吗), Le(了), Ne(呢) and Ba(吧), these kinds of modal particles are being the middle or the last word in a whole sentence. In English, the word “well” is the most common modal particle, which is always put at the beginning of a sentence. In fact, modal particles in different languages have similar functions. For instance, many modal particles are used to express tense, tones and even some potential meanings in some certain situations. How to use modal particles in writing to make articles more colorful and interesting is a kind of art.

In China, modal particle is a popular research topic because of the implied meaning in sentence which is worth of meditation. From the ancient times to nowadays, there are a great deal of studies about the utilization of modal particles in Chinese novels. It is especially the case in Chinese famous classical novels Dream of Red Mansions and Journey to the West. Scholars show not only extensive and profound Chinese language culture but also colorful social background by analyzing modal particles’ magic effects in these two novels. Chinese modal particle plays an important role in Chinese language. On the contrary, study about English modal particles is little, which is attributed to two main reasons. One is that there are fewer modal particles in English. The other is that English rarely use modal particles in articles. Still, functions of the modal particle “well” are often being discussed.

From what has mentioned above, it is can be seen that modal particles are absolutely necessary parts in languages, including Chinese and English. In other words, functions of modal particles in sentences can’t be ignored. Therefore, translators should pay attention to the transformation of English and Chinese modal particles in translation. Using different modal particles in the same translation sentence can show very different meanings. Which words can translators choose to express exact meaning? It is a question deserving study. Study relevant to modal particles in translations is rare. And the paper can enrich this study field. Meanwhile, the study of application of modal particles is expected to enhance not only translators’ comprehension about an essay, but also translation skills. In addition, it aims to distinguish the exact meaning that each modal particle express in sentences and compare them with each other to excavate Chinese far-reaching culture. Finally, it is a way to introduce functions of Chinese modal particles in articles to more people and heighten their influence.

The paper takes Moment in Peking as a case to discuss modal particles in English-Chinese translation. It aims to find out similarities and differences between English and Chinese modal particles and give suggestions for transformation skills.

Moment in Peking is chosen because of two reasons. Firstly, Moment in Peking is a latter-day classical novel which has been made into a teleplay. This novel portrays three families’ life in Peking during the republic period. Their sorrows and joys and their mutual enmity from Yihetuan Movement in 1901 to Anti-Japanese War, for nearly 30 years, reveal a true modern China society in the war. It is an excellent English novel with complicated social background and relationships and colorful plot. Secondly, it was written by Lin Yutang in English, and then translated into Chinese by Zhang zhengyu. In fact, Lin Yutang and Zhang Zhengyu are both brilliant translators and they are particular about translation works. When Zhang Zhengyu was translating this novel into Chinese, Lin Yutang provided some translation advice for him. From the study about Moment in Peking, both the English original novel and the Chinese version, students can learn some useful translation skills from these two of outstanding translators.

2 Comparison of Modal Particles between English and Chinese

2.1 Similarities in English and Chinese Modal Particles

Viewed from the aspect of functions, English modal particles and Chinese modal particles are nearly similar. Taking the word “well” as an example, it is used to express hesitation, determination, belief, irony, sympathy, compromise, understand and agreement, and even provocation. (孔维珊，2007) And some of Chinese modal particles can also show these specific moods. In a word, sometimes English modal particles and Chinese modal particles are functionally equivalent. It can be seen from following examples.

1. “Well, I’d like to know where you get that from?”

“嘿， 我倒要打听打听你这种思想是从哪儿来的？”

In example 1, the word “well” and the word “hei(嘿)” both convey a meaning of provocation. The original speaker is not satisfied with the listener’s idea, even with a little contempt. In fact, Chinese modal particle like “yo（哟）” can also convey the same meaning.

1. “Well, matters have not gone too well with him.” Harmon said.

“唉，他的日子不太好过。”哈蒙说道。

In example 2, the word “well” and the word “ai(唉)” both express a feeling of sympathy. Harmon is sad about the other one’s life.

1. “Well, you have not done much of either. Have you?”

“唔，不管是女主角还是老妈子，反正你没演过几回，是不是？”