The principles and tactics on diplomatic translation : a chinese perspective

incl. ref.

Diplomatic translation represents one of the most complicated, advanced, and toughest translation activities in the modern world. It differs from other translations in that it concerns national interests and foreign relations, is politically sensitive and therefore highly demanding, so the general translation criterion is not suitable for diplomatic translation. On the basis of Eugene Nida's Equivalence Theory and from the analytical perspective of the basic principles of International Relations and Diplomacy, this paper proposes the translation concept, "Political Equivalence," taking as a case study the translation of Tao Guang Yang Hui (literally "Maintaining a Low Profile"), one of Deng Xiaoping's famous diplomatic axioms. Thus the paper regards Political Equivalence as the most important criterion for diplomatic translation and also explores the principles and methods therein to achieve political equivalence in the Chinese cultural perspective.