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And in applying functional equivalence theory, we will try to approach translation from a new perspective by regarding the reader as a dynamic factor. Besides that, we will explore the theoretical basis for a variety of translation strategies in the light of this theory.
This thesis can be briefly pided into four parts, due to the consecution, the introduction of Nida’s functional equivalence is the first part. It is an overview of Nida’s functional equivalence theory which is the theoretical framework of the entire thesis．It gives all overview of the development, the main contents and also the contribution of Nida’s theory to translation studies．In the field of political language, translation of government report and interpretation of press conference are two different styles. The application of functional equivalence in government report is served as the second part. The author hopes to increase translators’ understanding of the unique features of government work report and press conference to analyze the feasibility of applying Nida’s theory. It shows the unique features such as authority and formality. Functional equivalence in interpretation of press conference is the third part. It can be understood on the lexical level and semantic level. The last part is the conclusion, which summarizes the paper and reiterates the main issues in the previous chapters.
1.1 Translation equivalence
Translation has to be regarded as an Intercultural Communication, different way of thinking, beliefs, values and attitudes to cross the differences may cause a certain effect on Intercultural Communication. Translators of different schools set forth translation criteria of their own, but unfortunately they have not reached any agreement yet. Different theorists defined the term “translation” differently; however, they all considered “equivalence” as essential in the definition of translation. Eugene A. Nida (1969), in his work, The Theory and Practice of Translation, gave the definition of translation as follows: Translation consists in reproducing in the receptor language the closest natural equivalent of the source language, first in terms of meaning and secondly in terms of style.
1.2 Nida’s functional equivalence
American linguist and translator Eugene Nida is one of the most famous theorists in terms of the linguist approach. He proposed the concept of “dynamic equivalence'’, which is the most influential one in the history of western translation theory. He argued that there are two different types of translation：formal equivalence and dynamic equivalence. In Nida’s definition of translation quoted above, three important factors are mentioned: equivalence, which points to the source language; naturalness, which points to the receptor language and closeness, which binds the two
Orientation together on the basis of the highest degree of approximation (Nida,1964:36).
Later, In his work From One Language to Another(1986), Nida started to use the term “functional equivalence” instead of “dynamic equivalence”, but he explained that their meanings were more or less the same, except that the term “function” and
“functional” seemed to provide a much sounder basis for talking about translation as a form of communication, since the focus was on what a translation does or performs.
2. Studies of political language
In various political activities, although the major function of political language is to make an efficient transference of information to other states on behalf of one’s own country, many other functions can be detected because of the fundamental goal in the diplomat’s mind of sustaining a good relationship between countries.
Political language is an umbrella term covering a variety of types or genres. It can be further put into two categories. One is official documents, including political documents such as joint communiqué, agreement reached among nations, and declaration or statement made by the government or government leaders like the work reports or reports to the Congress. It serves the function of law. Another one is political meeting. Such as political speech, inaugural speech and international conference. As we all know, the diplomats frequently tend to use the political tactful language to reply the sensitive questions as well as to relax the communicative atmosphere.