ENGLISH AS INTERNATIONAL LANGUAGE IN GEOGRAPHY: DEVELOPMENT AND LIMITATIONS

ABSTRACT. The rise and spread of English as a language of international communication is discussed through an analysis of two bodies of data: languages used in twenty‐nine International Geographical Congresses (1871–2000); and utilization of supplementary abstracts or text in international languages in geographical periodicals and serials, from initial use of English in 1882 to widespread use of it in 2002. Five stages in the use of English are recognized: 1) no use of English; 2) provision of abstracts in English; 3) occasional inclusion of articles in English; 4) publication of special issues in English, particularly for international meetings; and 5) a shift to English as the basic language of the text. English provides a window into the geographical literature; but it is only a window, not the full panorama of the richly diverse geographical literature in the six main languages that have been used in International Geographical Congresses and in the fifty‐five languages that have been used in geographical serials.     

对外宣传英译中对原文的适当删减

对外宣传英译中对原文进行适当的删减为两种语言的民族思维差异所引起.从对外宣传、国外读者文化接受心理的角度,提出原文并非坚冰.如果按汉语思维行事,造直译出,势必导致译文文字堆砌,语义传达失真,因而无法很好地服务于对外宣传目的.因此,应当对原文作适当的修改和删减.     

EQUILIBRIUM COASTAL PROFILES:Ⅱ. EVIDENCE FROM EOF ANALYSIS

IamODUCTIoNInoIdertoestablishtheconceptofeqUilibriumforbeachprofiles,anuInberofproh-lemsmustbesolved,including:(i)pndoftheealstehceofeqUilibrium;(ii)definitionoftheshapeofaneqUilibriumcOaStalprofile;and(iii)evaluationofthePeriodoftimere-qUiredtoreachtheeqUilibritunstate(knownastheresPOnsetime).Forthefirstoftheseprohlems,areviewofpreviousinvestigationsandaSynhesisarepresentedelsewhere(GaoandCollins,1998).Accowhngtosuchtheoreticalconsidera-tions,threetwrsofeqUilibriurnInayoccurinnatllT…     

地学科技论文文题与摘要的英文翻译讨论

针对地学论文文题和摘要的英文翻译，以公开发行的期刊为例，探讨论文文题和摘要翻译时应该注意的相关问题。     

Morphology and internal structure of sand shoals and sandbanks off the Dorset coast, English Channel

The morphology and internal structure of sand shoals and sandbanks around a coastal headland (Portland Bill, southern UK) are described on the basis of sidescan sonar and high-resolution seismic data sets. Morphological and architectural evidence, combined with the spatial distribution and nature of the bedrock surface, indicates that the evolution of these deposits, especially the sandbanks, may not only be hydrodynamically controlled but also morphologically controlled. The internal structure of the sand shoals reveals a simple pattern of clinoforms dipping in the same direction as their steeper profile. In contrast, the internal structure of the sandbanks reveals that their lower seismic units consist of a sedimentary core interpreted as the remains of a lowstand deposit or an early stage of the bank development under different prevailing hydrodynamic conditions. The present morphology of the sandbanks is represented by upper seismic units characterized by large-scale sandwave foresets dipping at 6–8°. The nature and morphology of the bedrock surface may also influence the development of sandbanks in some cases. For example, to the west of Portland Bill, the morphology of the bedrock surface (basal reflector) restricts the development of the Portland Bank. This information may explain the asymmetric evolution of sandbanks around Portland Bill.     

Communicating geomorphology through International English

International English has come to dominate science publication. For both first and second language speakers, the constraints of language for communication in geomorphology are reviewed, including uncertainties with terminology, subtleties of qualification and explanation in the written presentation of arguments, and formalities in the rhetorical structuring of published papers. Distinctive qualities of style and presentation need to be recognized because, in geomorphology as generally, full qualitative meanings may pass lingua franca or second language speakers by, whilst formulaic discourse may disguise shortcomings. The alternative of language simplification for international usage may not be wholly desirable if valued functions are lost. Language is also increasingly being coupled with visual devices, pictorial and diagrammatic images and data tables, which are internationally intelligible. These can leave viewers with greater hermeneutic (text interpretation) freedom, and therefore a variety of outcomes in understanding. Mathematical treatments, with their precision and predictive utility, have great universal value and they leave readers with rather less interpretive freedom. Debate is due, both by first and by second English language geomorphologists, as to how well developing presentation styles in international English suit scientific purposes. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Fish composition and assemblage structure in three Eastern English Channel macrotidal estuaries: A comparison with other French estuaries

This study has analysed for the first time fish composition and assemblage structures of three small macrotidal estuaries of the Eastern English Channel (EEC) and has explored the influences of 19 biotic and abiotic variables on the fish assemblages. Fish from Canche, Authie and Somme estuaries were collected during spring (June 2006 and May 2007) and autumn (September 2006) along the estuarine gradients using a 1.5 m beam trawl. Using identical sampling protocols, the study also analysed and compared for the first time taxonomic and functional aspects of the fish assemblages in 15 estuaries located along the Atlantic and English Channel coasts. SIMPER analysis showed high similarities in fish assemblages in the three EEC estuaries and during either spring or autumn periods. However, intra-estuary similarities were relatively low, indicating that fish assemblage structures (species richnesses or abundances) were more variable within the estuary (salinity gradient) than between estuaries and/or seasons (spring vs autumn). Although numerous environmental variables were included in the study, only 47% of the variability observed in the fish distribution was explained. Fish spatial variations in the EEC estuaries are mostly driven by abiotic variables as opposed to biological interactions. As indicated by CCA, salinity and muddy sediments were the two most important factors structuring the fish assemblages. The macrobenthos being very abundant in the EEC estuaries (580–1121 ind. m⁻²), the availability of potential prey is probably not a limiting factor in the utilization of estuaries by fish. Contrary to the majority of French estuaries dominated by estuarine species (ES), the fish assemblages of the EEC estuaries are clearly dominated by marine migrant (MM) species (65% on average) with high abundance of juveniles (mostly young-of-the-year). Cluster and SIMPROF's analyses distinguished the functional structure of the 15 estuarine fish assemblages into different clusters. The three EEC estuaries form a similar group with the largest French estuaries (Seine, Loire and Gironde). The latters were characterized by higher MM/ES ratio compared to the other French estuaries. Freshwater flow and tidal range were the main factors associated with this group of estuaries. The results of the present study do not indicate that anthropogenic impacts (chemical contamination) on estuaries affect their ecological functioning as described by the fish ecological guilds. It is suggested that the guild approach may not be useful to provide valuable information on the ecological status of estuaries.     

试论英汉被动式的不对等性及不可互译性

从英汉被动式成立的条件、施事、语句衔接方式、特有句式和特殊用法以及认知背景等五个方面,分析了英汉被动式在不同语境中能在何种程度上实现对等互译,探讨了英汉被动式可对等互译或不可对等互译的深层原因。