Abstract: In the learning process and practical use of English, English learners often have the wrong expression, Chinglish, the major causes of which are the influences and interference of Chinese thinking mode and relevant cultural background. Based on the errors in the Chinese-English translation products of forty-five juniors majoring in translation from Nanjing Xiaozhuang University, this paper focuses on the errors in vocabulary and syntax in college students’ Chinese-English translation. With the theory of negative transfer of mother tongue, this paper analyzes the Chinglish phenomenon in college students’ Chinese-English translation and its causes from the perspective of cultural difference, negative thinking transfer and students’ cognitive ability. The paper finds out that college students will unconsciously follow the rules of the use of Chinese language, applying the Chinese grammatical structure, thinking patterns and so on into Chinese-English translation, which inevitably leads to Chinglish and finally affects the quality of the Chinese-English translation products.

Key words: Chinglish; college students; Chinese-English translation; cultural differences

CONTENTS

Abstract

摘要

1. Introduction .1

1.1 Significance of the Study

1.2 Relevant Theory

2. Literature Review .2

3. Linguistic Transfer in College Students’ C-E Translation.3

3.1 Lexical Transfer

3.1.1 Unnecessary Words

3.1.2 Misuse of Synonyms

3.1.3 Misuse of Articles and Prepositions

3.1.4 Misuse of Approving Words and Derogatory Words 

3.1.5 Inappropriate Collocation

3.2 Syntactical Transfer

3.2.1 Improper Tense and Voice 

3.2.2 Subject-Predicate Disagreement

3.2.3 Improper Order of Sentence Element

3.2.4 Lack of Conjunctions

4. Main Causes8

4.1 Cultural Differences

4.2 Negative Transfer of Chinese Thought Pattern

  4.3 Lack of Cognitive Ability

5. Conclusion10

Bibliography.11

Acknowledgements12