1．3 Why We Study the Skills of Translating翻译技巧的重要性
As an English learner，everybody should know the five skills in learning English，which are listening，speaking，reading，writing and translating．Translating is one of them．With the development of science and technology，and more exchanges between countries，translating becomes more and more important．In this course，we chiefly talk about written translation，which can also be divided into two parts，English-Chinese translation and Chinese-English translation．English-Chinese translation is the major topic in this book．
To well master English language，learners should possess the integrated skills．They are not merely good at listening and speaking，but also at writing and translating．At the same time，the skills of translation still need comprehensive abilities because a translator has to be familiar with the different cultures and backgrounds underlying the two languages，and have concrete English knowledge．
Translation is not merely a transmitter of culture，but also of the truth—a force for progress．It has the special purpose of demonstrating the learner＇s knowledge of the foreign language，either as a form of control or to exercise his intelligence in order to develop his competence．This is its strong point in foreign language classes，which has to be sharply distinguished from its normal use in transferring meanings and conveying messages．Therefore，translating skills should be well known in learning English．