既然用 western expansion 或者“go-west”来表达“西部大开发”都是不合适的。那么，“西部大开发”应该怎样翻译成英语才是正确的呢？首先请看下面的两段文字：

1. A Development Drive: VIZIANAGARAM, the 23rd district of Andhra Pradesh formed nearly 25 years ago, was for long considered a backward district. But it has now switched to the fast track of development, registering progress on all fronts, thanks to the initiation of several schemes to modernize agriculture, animal husbandry and minor irrigation. 来源：考试大

2. Development Drive：The government of Sharjah is aiming for a diverse economy. Sharjah, the third largest emirate in the UAE may not have such a prominent profile as its neighbor, Dubai, but it is just as dynamic and diverse. Its commitment to economic development, free trade and attracting foreign investment is resolute and this can be seen through the development of its free zones during the past decade.

从上面的两段文字中我们可以看出，英语中在表达“大开发”的概念时，drive 一词比较合适，我们可以在此基础上进一步完善“大开发”的英译。笔者认为我国“西部大开发”可以有以下几种翻译： 来源：考试大

The western development drive 来源：考试大

The grand western development program

The development campaign of the western regions 来源：考试大

The full-scale development program for the western regions

The program for a concerted development of the western regions

或者还可以说：来源：考试大

give a huge push to develop / transform the western regions

switch onto the fast track of development