Abstract：China’s aerospace industry has been in progress by leaps and bounds in the recent twenty years. However, Chinese translation of aerospace terms is not satisfying, which has hindered the development and popularization of space science. In this paper, causes of inaccuracy of translation and mistranslation of aerospace terms were studied and analyzed. It was found that lack of communication, history and different translation sources had contributed to the confused state of translation of terms. In the end, after the above-mentioned discussions, principles and approaches of achieving uniformity of translation of aerospace terms are put forward. It is hoped that this paper could be used as references in translating space terms in future.

Keywords: Translation; Aerospace Terms; Uniformity

CONTENTS

ABSTRACT

中文摘要

CHAPTER ONE  INTRODUCTION-1

CHAPTER TWO  LITERATURE REVIEW-2

CHAPTER THREE  ANALYSIS OF DIFFERENCES IN TRANSLATION-4

3.1 Development of Science and Technology-4

3.2 History and Geography-5

3.3 Lack of Communication-6

3.4 Translation from Other Languages-7

CHAPTER FOUR  ACHIEVING UNIFORMITY IN TRANSLATION-9

4.1 Significance of Uniformity in Translation-9

4.1.1 Establish Basis and Support of Development-9

4.1.2 Promote Efficiency of Cooperation and Conferences-10

4.1.3 Popularize Science Education-11

4.2 Principles of Uniformity in Translating Space Terms-11

4.2.1 Monosemous-12

4.2.2 Scientific and Technical-12

4.2.3 Common and Understandable-13

4.2.4 Established and Conventional-13

4.2.5 Multicultural-14

4.2.6 Fuzzy Processing-15

4.3 How to Achieve Uniformity in Translating Space Terms-16

4.3.1 Separate Conceptual Terms from Non-conceptual Terms-16

4.3.2 Apply Transliteration and Literal Translation-17

4.3.3 Pay Attention to Polysemy-18

4.3.4 Convey Coordinate Terms Accurately-22

4.3.5 Establish Institutions of Aerospace Terms-22

CHAPTER FIVE  CONCLUSION-24

WORKS CITED-25

Table 1  Translation conforming to Chinese Identity-14

Table 2  Translation conforming to International Identity-14

Table 3  Transliteration in Spacecraft and Launch Vehicles-17

Table 4  Literal Translation in Aerospace Terms-18

Table 5  Applicable Replacement of “空间”-20