Shift in Translation: A Case Study of Translating NFPA 1 Fire Code into Chinese

Abstract

National Fire codes, mandated by government authorities to tackle technical challenges in fire prevention and control, establish fundamental standards for construction practices. International collaboration in fire protection technologies has opened avenues for China to access a wealth of documents and codes, which are crucial in crafting regulations and developing a robust, scientific framework for fire code formulation. However, the translation of these codes into Chinese has been inadequate, thereby diminishing the benefits of technological exchange and collaborative learning. This underscores the necessity for comprehensive research into code translation, striving for higher-quality translations guided by established translation theories. In this study, we translated the initial segment of the NFPA 1 Fire Code into Chinese and examined both the source text and target text through the lens of Translation Shift Theory, a concept introduced by Catford. The conclusion culminated in identifying four key shifts across various linguistic levels: lexis, sentences, and groups, to ensure an accurate and precise translation of fire codes. This study offers a through and lucid explanation of how the translator integrates Catford’s theories to solve technical challenges in NFPA 1 Fire Code translation, and establish essential standards for construction translation practices.