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[世纪疫症]之 新世事、新语言
Thread poster: David Lin
David Lin
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Apr 30, 2020

Coronavirus crisis and language

Coronavirus crisis creates new words that enter everyday language

"Every crisis is a crash-course in new words and concepts. The 2008 financial crunch introduced the public to subprime loans, credit default swaps and quantitative easing. The Covid-19 pandemic has brought us contact tracing, PPE (personal protective equipment rather than the degree of philosophy, politics and economics), immunocompromised and coronavirus itself.
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Coronavirus crisis and language

Coronavirus crisis creates new words that enter everyday language

"Every crisis is a crash-course in new words and concepts. The 2008 financial crunch introduced the public to subprime loans, credit default swaps and quantitative easing. The Covid-19 pandemic has brought us contact tracing, PPE (personal protective equipment rather than the degree of philosophy, politics and economics), immunocompromised and coronavirus itself.

"The new words have become part of everyday conversation. Between 1995 and the end of 2019, major US and UK national newspapers used the phrase “social distancing” 163 times, according to the Factiva database. In 2020 they have used it more than 31,000 times."

"Some authorities regret the ubiquity of “social distancing”. At the World Health "Organization press briefing on March 20, Maria Van Kerkhove, a WHO consultant, said the organisation preferred the term “physical distancing” because it stressed that people should keep a safe distance from each other rather than end social contact. The WHO still wanted people to stay in touch with loved ones through the internet and social media “because your mental health going through this is just as important as your physical health”."

By Michael Skapinker, Financial Times, 29 April, 2020

For the full article, see this link: https://www.ft.com/content/b7a6b3f0-830b-11ea-b872-8db45d5f6714




[Edited at 2020-04-30 08:42 GMT]
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Eason Zhang
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agreed, but... May 1, 2020

I make a point of noting that what we are actually doing is physical distancing, and that social distance has more to do with our roles and relative status every time I use the phrase. That way, I'm using a phrase that everyone recognizes the meaning of, but still pointing out the error in calling it "social distancing".

David Lin
 
David Lin
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Snitching and physical distancing May 7, 2020

I can't agree more.

In relation to physical distancing, a word being used in the UK came to mind. It is "snitching" which refers to reporting about others who do not follow physical distancing law.

In societies which take privacy, personal freedom and individual rights very seriously, 'snitching' might not be straight forward as we thought, and is often controversial.

There are certainly more
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I can't agree more.

In relation to physical distancing, a word being used in the UK came to mind. It is "snitching" which refers to reporting about others who do not follow physical distancing law.

In societies which take privacy, personal freedom and individual rights very seriously, 'snitching' might not be straight forward as we thought, and is often controversial.

There are certainly more new terms coming up as the world ponders on going back to normal, or if you want, a new normal.

How about Chinese words?

David


Eason Zhang wrote:

I make a point of noting that what we are actually doing is physical distancing, and that social distance has more to do with our roles and relative status every time I use the phrase. That way, I'm using a phrase that everyone recognizes the meaning of, but still pointing out the error in calling it "social distancing".
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David Shen
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Social Something Jan 10, 2022

“社会面清零”怎么翻?

 
William Yang
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My humble opinon Jan 11, 2022

My humble opinion is that social distancing talks about physical distancing at the same time as the other scenarios put forward under the topic. But is "social distancing" a phrase seducing any impropriate negative meanings?

[Edited at 2022-01-11 00:39 GMT]


 
William Yang
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my version Jan 11, 2022

David Shen wrote:

“社会面清零”怎么翻?




infection rate/count nationwide back to zero


 
David Shen
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Dynamic Something? Jan 12, 2022

Thank you!

“动态清零”?


 
William Yang
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zero tolerance strategy Jan 13, 2022

David Shen wrote:

Thank you!

“动态清零”?


kind of, "zero tolerance strategy"


 
QHE
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Elimination Jan 14, 2022

David Shen wrote: Dynamic Something?

“动态清零”?



Dynamic Elimination


 
William Yang
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Zero Covid Jan 14, 2022

David Shen wrote:

Thank you!

“动态清零”?


Zero Covid动态清零


David Lin
 
QHE
QHE
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FWIW Jan 15, 2022

QHE wrote:

David Shen wrote: Dynamic Something?

“动态清零”?



Dynamic Elimination


The WHO defines elimination(of a specified disease) as "reduction to zero (or a very low defined target rate) of new cases of an infectious disease in a defined geographical area as a result of deliberate efforts."


动态清零”和“零感染”有何不同
“动态清零”是“零感染”吗?

“两者不是一回事,现在还没有能力做到不出现一例本土病例,但是我们有能力,也有信心,当发现有本土病例出现的时候,快速扑灭疫情。” 梁万年*回应说。

*国家卫生健康委疫情应对处置工作领导小组专家组组长


 
William Yang
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官方翻译 Feb 9, 2022

外文局的:社会面清零-zero community transmission
动态清零-dynamic zero-Covid policy


 
David Shen
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Attenuation indeed or intended Feb 9, 2022

《动态清零,神乎其神》

无论哪种语言,一旦用词不直截了当的时候,交流就打折扣。

就算是由光纤电缆传导的数据信息与电流,最后传到用户时,其质量已不如输出的那一头。这种现象大约称为 attenuation, 那是物质世界之有其极限,而非人为所愿。

可是作为翻译的诸位,请你看一看,现在中文中频出之新词,有多少是直截了当的、明明白白的、
... See more
《动态清零,神乎其神》

无论哪种语言,一旦用词不直截了当的时候,交流就打折扣。

就算是由光纤电缆传导的数据信息与电流,最后传到用户时,其质量已不如输出的那一头。这种现象大约称为 attenuation, 那是物质世界之有其极限,而非人为所愿。

可是作为翻译的诸位,请你看一看,现在中文中频出之新词,有多少是直截了当的、明明白白的、不需要解释就能充分理解的?为什么会这样?

当然,我并不认为所有的新词必须是明明白白毫不含糊的,因为语言是人类极为丰富复杂的思绪之流露,暧昧复杂的用词自有其用处。比如小说电影和其它文艺作品,用词最忌平淡;法律诉讼、外交谈判唯恐留有遗漏。可此地令我百思不得其解的是需要公诸于众的民政法规。既然这些政策是需要广为传播的,用词何必这么高深?以至于让翻译们都没法翻,硬着头皮翻将出来,译者听者还是不懂其中之意。在我看来这种情况只能属于信息输出的那一头开始就已经卡住了不少。

如果说稍加解释‘社会面清零’还能让人勉强理解,那‘动态清零’简直是神乎其神。至今无解,无论是中文原文还是外文局官方版的译文。

PS @ William Yang
Thanks for the update though!

[Edited at 2022-02-09 22:16 GMT]
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QHE
Mi Long
 
LIZ LI
LIZ LI  Identity Verified
China
Local time: 03:46
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To前辈 Feb 15, 2022

David Shen wrote:

可是作为翻译的诸位,请你看一看,现在中文中频出之新词,有多少是直截了当的、明明白白的、不需要解释就能充分理解的?为什么会这样?

当然,我并不认为所有的新词必须是明明白白毫不含糊的,因为语言是人类极为丰富复杂的思绪之流露,暧昧复杂的用词自有其用处。比如小说电影和其它文艺作品,用词最忌平淡;法律诉讼、外交谈判唯恐留有遗漏。可此地令我百思不得其解的是需要公诸于众的民政法规。既然这些政策是需要广为传播的,用词何必这么高深?以至于让翻译们都没法翻,硬着头皮翻将出来,译者听者还是不懂其中之意。在我看来这种情况只能属于信息输出的那一头开始就已经卡住了不少。

如果说稍加解释‘社会面清零’还能让人勉强理解,那‘动态清零’简直是神乎其神。至今无解,无论是中文原文还是外文局官方版的译文。

PS @ William Yang
Thanks for the update though!

[Edited at 2022-02-09 22:16 GMT]


看到前辈的发言,深有感触。
翻译从来都是“无定本”的艺术,任何“官方”的版本都只能作“方便统一术语”之用。至于对错优劣,那就见仁见智了。
UN之类国际组织的中文文件也有不少错误,起码我在翻译时查找资料的过程中,就会偶尔发现许多questionable的译法。
但语言需要和新生事物相结合,从前没有的事物,不管怎么译,都需要解释和时间的沉淀,才能让普罗大众接收,任何一种语言都是如此。
例如:一个“时空伴随者”,首先让我想到的,是time travel之类的概念。如果不听解释,谁又能知道,这说的——是五百年前的一次回眸?!?

BTW,
attenuation跟“动态清零”之间有着本质的差别,就好像画家眼中的蒙娜丽莎是个“迷之女性”,而医生眼中她就只是一个妇人。这跟文科生走错课室,进了医学生的大体课教室差不多。

[Edited at 2022-02-15 03:20 GMT]


 
Jianrong Sun
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China
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English to Chinese
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“动态清零”、“零感染”、“时空伴随” Feb 15, 2022

LIZ LI wrote:

David Shen wrote:

可是作为翻译的诸位,请你看一看,现在中文中频出之新词,有多少是直截了当的、明明白白的、不需要解释就能充分理解的?为什么会这样?

当然,我并不认为所有的新词必须是明明白白毫不含糊的,因为语言是人类极为丰富复杂的思绪之流露,暧昧复杂的用词自有其用处。比如小说电影和其它文艺作品,用词最忌平淡;法律诉讼、外交谈判唯恐留有遗漏。可此地令我百思不得其解的是需要公诸于众的民政法规。既然这些政策是需要广为传播的,用词何必这么高深?以至于让翻译们都没法翻,硬着头皮翻将出来,译者听者还是不懂其中之意。在我看来这种情况只能属于信息输出的那一头开始就已经卡住了不少。

如果说稍加解释‘社会面清零’还能让人勉强理解,那‘动态清零’简直是神乎其神。至今无解,无论是中文原文还是外文局官方版的译文。

PS @ William Yang
Thanks for the update though!

[Edited at 2022-02-09 22:16 GMT]


看到前辈的发言,深有感触。
翻译从来都是“无定本”的艺术,任何“官方”的版本都只能作“方便统一术语”之用。至于对错优劣,那就见仁见智了。
UN之类国际组织的中文文件也有不少错误,起码我在翻译时查找资料的过程中,就会偶尔发现许多questionable的译法。
但语言需要和新生事物相结合,从前没有的事物,不管怎么译,都需要解释和时间的沉淀,才能让普罗大众接收,任何一种语言都是如此。
例如:一个“时空伴随者”,首先让我想到的,是time travel之类的概念。如果不听解释,谁又能知道,这说的——是五百年前的一次回眸?!?

BTW,
attenuation跟“动态清零”之间有着本质的差别,就好像画家眼中的蒙娜丽莎是个“迷之女性”,而医生眼中她就只是一个妇人。这跟文科生走错课室,进了医学生的大体课教室差不多。

[Edited at 2022-02-15 03:20 GMT]


关于“动态清零”、“零感染”、“时空伴随”等等

关于“动态清零”、“零感染”、“时空伴随”等等词汇,中文理解起来就费力,更别说翻译成英文了。对待这些词汇及其用法,我个人觉得,现在的媒体用得太随意了。对待这样的词汇,应该像对待学术术语一样,给出中英文定义并作出解释,否则很容易闹出笑话。我最近给Financial Times & Bloomberg做翻译,他们就很严谨;他们有自己的术语库及详细的风格指导,而国内的翻译社几乎没有严谨的术语库及风格指导。


 
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[世纪疫症]之 新世事、新语言






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