THE ROLE OF CONTEXT IN TRANSLATION: THE CASE OF THE CHINESE WORD 主任 (ZHǓRÈN) TRANSLATED INTO VIETNAMESE

Abstract

Understanding the meaning of a word requires specific context. The context of a word refers to the surrounding words that clarify its meaning and ensure coherent comprehension. Therefore, the role of context in understanding word meaning is crucial, particularly in translation activities. This is especially significant when translating a phenomenon from language A to language B, particularly when a phenomenon in one language is expressed through various forms in another. Through the case of the Chinese word 主任 (zhǔrèn) and its equivalent translation into Vietnamese, this article clarifies the equivalent terms translated into Vietnamese for 主任 (zhǔrèn), comparing the correlations between human translation and machine translation. Then, the important role of context in translation activities is recognized, aiming to utilize context for accurate translation.