The Noun Plague

2301晨花鹿

In this chapter, Joan Pinkham astutely critiques a pervasive issue in Chinese-to-English translation: the overuse of abstract nouns, which she terms the "noun plague." This phenomenon, rooted in the direct transplantation of Chinese linguistic structures into English, often results in convoluted, verbose sentences that obscure meaning. Pinkham argues that excessive nominalizations—such as "implementation," "enhancement," or "utilization"—create a barrier to clarity, as they prioritize static concepts over dynamic actions. This habit, while grammatically acceptable, clashes with the natural rhythm of English, which favors verbs and adjectives to convey motion and specificity.

The core problem lies in cultural-linguistic dissonance. Chinese frequently employs nominalized phrases to express actions or states (e.g., "政策的实施"), which translators may mechanically render as "the implementation of the policy." Yet English thrives on verbal energy. Pinkham advocates for "unpacking" these nouns into active verbs or descriptive adjectives. For example, replacing "the implementation of the policy" with "implementing the policy" or "to implement the policy" not only shortens the sentence but also aligns it with English's subject-verb-object preference. Similarly, transforming "there was a rapid development in technology" into "technology developed rapidly" injects vitality into the prose.

This critique extends beyond translation—it reflects a broader principle for effective communication. In professional and academic writing, the noun plague manifests in jargon-heavy texts that prioritize formality over clarity. Pinkham’s advice resonates with George Orwell’s rules for plain English: "Never use a noun where a verb will do." By embracing verbal dynamism, writers can transcend rigid syntactic patterns and craft messages that resonate with global audiences.

Ultimately, Pinkham’s analysis is a call to prioritize *function* over *form*. Whether translating or composing original texts, the goal should be lucidity, not linguistic mimicry. Breaking free from the noun plague requires mindfulness of how language shapes thought—and a willingness to let verbs breathe life into ideas.