Translation of Modifications: About Information, Intention and Effect

Abstract

A broad concept of modification is background to a discussion of textual functions of modification in translating between Chinese & English. Attention is on information distribution realized by elaboration of a basic transitivity pattern through modifying a noun- or verb-head, & on matching in translation the textual effect created. Some differences in using function words in these languages are illustrated, including how they may affect translation. The logical nature of modification allows the identification & observation of internal modifiers within a word's meaning structure. The importance of word & sentence translation in the practice & process of textual translating is stressed.