On May 24th, 2018, the School of Foreign Languages of Shenzhen University welcomed Mu Lei, a professor from Guangdong University of Foreign Studies. In the Meeting Room 1200 of Wenke Building, she brought us a fascinating academic lecture on Formal Logic and Translation Studies as well as the Principles and Approaches of Constructing Translation Theory.
During the lecture, Professor Mu Lei introduced the topic, Formal Logic and Translation Studies, from the perspective of logic. In addition, she shared with us the importance of learning logic and presented formal logic and dialectical logic respectively. Thereinto, one of the definitions of formal logic was mentioned: formal logic is a science with the modes and laws of thinking mainly studied. Some simple logical methods were touched upon, from which we gained insight into thinking and the laws of thinking modes. Following that, the word “concept” was covered by Professor Mu, and we realized that the connotation and denotation should be taken into account when a concept is to be defined. Moreover, she detailed the means and logic rules of giving definitions.
Aside from the topic mentioned above, another topic was introduced by Professor Mu—the Principles and Approaches of Constructing Translation Theory. From the need of academic modernization to the “anxiety” of translation studies, we received a basic understanding of the current situation of translation studies. Then, she expounded the basic principles of theory construction, among which the problem-oriented principle is the first one. Besides, there was also elaboration on the typical approaches of theory construction. In the end, Professor Mu put forth that in order to conduct theory research and construction, we should base it on practical problems, lay emphasis upon integration, and strengthen the confidence in theory and culture.
(2018/5/24 Zhang Yi)
