文化缺省文本的翻译探析
|
摘要
文化缺省是一种文本中常见的但又往往被人忽略的文化现象。它是指作者在写作中对与其意向读者共有的相关文化背景知识的省略。文化缺省是通过作者的意向读者恢复其记忆图式中的相关文化信息，填充缺省空位，建立连贯关系的。从接受美学的观点来看，文化缺省在写作文本中的存在可以激发读者的想象力，提高作者与读者之间的交际效率，从而增加作品的美学效果。但在翻译中，由于文化差异的存在，原文中的文化缺省往往变得十分棘手。本文就这一文化现象对翻译产生的影响和带来的问题从各个方面进行了探讨，并且分析归纳了在翻译实践中处理这一文化现象的途径和方法。
作者首先通过揭示语言、文化和翻译之间的联系，提出了本文研究的必要性。基于语言与文化之间的密切关系，翻译不可避免地成为一种跨文化活动，而不单单是语言之间的转换过程。因此通过讨论文化缺省文本的翻译可以更好地解决文化翻译问题，从而促进文化交流。然后，作者从文化缺省的定义、形成机制、美学价值及其分类等四个方面对这一文化现象进行了全面的分析。
由于文化差异的存在，在翻译中原文的文化缺省对译者提出了极大的挑战。译者作为原文作者和译文读者之间的中介，在翻译文化缺省文本时必须具备两方面的素质：一方面，译者必须深谙翻译中所涉及的两种语言文化知识；另一方面，译者还要对自己的意向读者——译文读者的文化知识结构有充分的预测，作出正确的判断。然而，在翻译实践中，由于译者自身文化知识的缺乏和对译文读者文化知识的预测不足，加上文化预设对译者所造成的干扰，由文化缺省引起的翻译问题屡见不鲜。本文主要列举了三种常见的翻译问题：欠额翻译、过度翻译及误译。
基于以上分析，本文就文化缺省文本的翻译进行了系统地讨论。作者从一般翻译原则出发，通过揭示翻译对文化交流作出的巨大贡献，强调了文化缺省文本
的翻译应当侧重于异化，以便更好地促进文化交流。作者归纳了四种常用的文化
缺省文本翻译的方法，即直译、直译加注、直译加文内解释和意译，并对其适应
性逐一进行了分析。同时，作者还就翻译损失的不可避免性进行了讨论。
本文最后总结指出，翻译和文化交流是相辅相成的。随着文化交流的发展，
原文中的文化缺省将会越来越多地为译文读者所认同和接受。当然，这也依赖于
译者有意识的，不懈的努力。
CultWal default is a cornmon1y seen bul often ignored cultural phenomenon
in written texts. It is the absence of the releva*nt cultural knowledge shared by the writer
and his ifltended readers. The construction of the coherence of cultural default in a text
is secured in that the readers can retrieve the relevant cultural information from their
memory schemata. According to the Reception Aesthetics theory, the occurrence of
cultWal default in a text can stimulate the readers' imagination, increase the
conununicative efficiency between the writer and the readers, and hence strengthen the
aesthetic effect of the text. Bul in translation, cultural default of the original texts often
tUrns out to be a' tough nut to crack due to the difference of cultures. The present thesis
allemptS to probe into the various aspects of the influence imposed by cultural default
on tTanslation as well as the many problems bred by culttiral default in translation
practices in the hope of finding some practical aPproaches to translating texts with
cultural default.
First of all, the author of this thesis states the necessity of the research by revealing
the inextricable connection among language, culture and translation. In view of the
close relationship between language and culture, translation is inevitably an
inter-cultural activity, rather than a simple process of inier-lingual transference. The
discussion of translation of texts with cultural default can help us resolve culforal
translation problems betteT, thus enhancing cultural conununication. The aUthor then
makes an overall analysis of cultural default from the aspects of its definition,
mechanism of fOrmation, aesthetic value and classifications.
Because of cultUral disparity in translation, cultural default of the original texts
poses a big challenge to the translator The translator, as a mediator between the SL
writer and the TL readers, must qualify himself with the fOllowing aspects. On one hand,
he must have a good conunand of the two language-cultures concerned; on the other
I 1
}
j.2
hand, he shou1d make an accurate assUmPtion of the TL readers' cultural knowledge so
as to form a correct judgment. In translation practices, nevertheless, translation
problems arising from cultUral default are not rare due to the translator's incompetence
in cultUral knowledge or inadequate assumption of the TL readers' cultural Anowledge,
or sometimes due to the interference of cultural presupposition in the translator's
interpretation of the SL texts.
Grounded on the above anaIysis, this thesis systematically explores the translation
principles, aPproaches and methods of texts with cultural default. The author first sets
out discussing the general tfanslation principles, and then proceeds to presellt the great
cofltribution translation has made to cultural exchange and development, thereby
stressing on the foreignization of the translation of texts with cultural default. The
author sums uP fOur translation methods commonly used in tTanslation practices, naxnely,
literal translation, literal translation with notes, literal translation with coniextual
explanation, and free translation. The pertinence of each is fully discussed. At the same
time, the athor points ollt the inevitable translation loss in the translation of texts with
cultural default.
The thesis finally concludes that translation and cultural exchange are
comp1imeflting each other. Along with the development of cultural exchange, more
cases of cultural default of the original texts will be directly recognized and accepted by
the target readers, Which, of course, relies greatly on the translator's conscious and
persistent efforts.
作者首先通过揭示语言、文化和翻译之间的联系，提出了本文研究的必要性。基于语言与文化之间的密切关系，翻译不可避免地成为一种跨文化活动，而不单单是语言之间的转换过程。因此通过讨论文化缺省文本的翻译可以更好地解决文化翻译问题，从而促进文化交流。然后，作者从文化缺省的定义、形成机制、美学价值及其分类等四个方面对这一文化现象进行了全面的分析。
由于文化差异的存在，在翻译中原文的文化缺省对译者提出了极大的挑战。译者作为原文作者和译文读者之间的中介，在翻译文化缺省文本时必须具备两方面的素质：一方面，译者必须深谙翻译中所涉及的两种语言文化知识；另一方面，译者还要对自己的意向读者——译文读者的文化知识结构有充分的预测，作出正确的判断。然而，在翻译实践中，由于译者自身文化知识的缺乏和对译文读者文化知识的预测不足，加上文化预设对译者所造成的干扰，由文化缺省引起的翻译问题屡见不鲜。本文主要列举了三种常见的翻译问题：欠额翻译、过度翻译及误译。
基于以上分析，本文就文化缺省文本的翻译进行了系统地讨论。作者从一般翻译原则出发，通过揭示翻译对文化交流作出的巨大贡献，强调了文化缺省文本
的翻译应当侧重于异化，以便更好地促进文化交流。作者归纳了四种常用的文化
缺省文本翻译的方法，即直译、直译加注、直译加文内解释和意译，并对其适应
性逐一进行了分析。同时，作者还就翻译损失的不可避免性进行了讨论。
本文最后总结指出，翻译和文化交流是相辅相成的。随着文化交流的发展，
原文中的文化缺省将会越来越多地为译文读者所认同和接受。当然，这也依赖于
译者有意识的，不懈的努力。
CultWal default is a cornmon1y seen bul often ignored cultural phenomenon
in written texts. It is the absence of the releva*nt cultural knowledge shared by the writer
and his ifltended readers. The construction of the coherence of cultural default in a text
is secured in that the readers can retrieve the relevant cultural information from their
memory schemata. According to the Reception Aesthetics theory, the occurrence of
cultWal default in a text can stimulate the readers' imagination, increase the
conununicative efficiency between the writer and the readers, and hence strengthen the
aesthetic effect of the text. Bul in translation, cultural default of the original texts often
tUrns out to be a' tough nut to crack due to the difference of cultures. The present thesis
allemptS to probe into the various aspects of the influence imposed by cultural default
on tTanslation as well as the many problems bred by culttiral default in translation
practices in the hope of finding some practical aPproaches to translating texts with
cultural default.
First of all, the author of this thesis states the necessity of the research by revealing
the inextricable connection among language, culture and translation. In view of the
close relationship between language and culture, translation is inevitably an
inter-cultural activity, rather than a simple process of inier-lingual transference. The
discussion of translation of texts with cultural default can help us resolve culforal
translation problems betteT, thus enhancing cultural conununication. The aUthor then
makes an overall analysis of cultural default from the aspects of its definition,
mechanism of fOrmation, aesthetic value and classifications.
Because of cultUral disparity in translation, cultural default of the original texts
poses a big challenge to the translator The translator, as a mediator between the SL
writer and the TL readers, must qualify himself with the fOllowing aspects. On one hand,
he must have a good conunand of the two language-cultures concerned; on the other
I 1
}
j.2
hand, he shou1d make an accurate assUmPtion of the TL readers' cultural knowledge so
as to form a correct judgment. In translation practices, nevertheless, translation
problems arising from cultUral default are not rare due to the translator's incompetence
in cultUral knowledge or inadequate assumption of the TL readers' cultural Anowledge,
or sometimes due to the interference of cultural presupposition in the translator's
interpretation of the SL texts.
Grounded on the above anaIysis, this thesis systematically explores the translation
principles, aPproaches and methods of texts with cultural default. The author first sets
out discussing the general tfanslation principles, and then proceeds to presellt the great
cofltribution translation has made to cultural exchange and development, thereby
stressing on the foreignization of the translation of texts with cultural default. The
author sums uP fOur translation methods commonly used in tTanslation practices, naxnely,
literal translation, literal translation with notes, literal translation with coniextual
explanation, and free translation. The pertinence of each is fully discussed. At the same
time, the athor points ollt the inevitable translation loss in the translation of texts with
cultural default.
The thesis finally concludes that translation and cultural exchange are
comp1imeflting each other. Along with the development of cultural exchange, more
cases of cultural default of the original texts will be directly recognized and accepted by
the target readers, Which, of course, relies greatly on the translator's conscious and
persistent efforts.
引文
Bassnett, Susan Translation Studies London: Methuen & Co. Ltd., 1980.
Bassnett, Susan & Andre Lefevere Constructing Cultures: Essays on Literary Translating Shanghai: Shanghai Foreign Language Education Press, 2001.
Brown, Gillian & Yule, George Discourse Analysis Beijing: Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press, 2000.
Cook, Guy Discourse and Literature Shanghai: Shanghai Foreign Language Education Press, 1999.
Fawcett, Peter "Presupposition and Translation". The Pragmatics of Translation edited by Leo Hickey Shanghai: Shanghai Foreign Language Education Press, 2001.
Hatim, Basil & Mason Ian Discourse and the Translator Shanghai: Shanghai Foreign Language Education Press, 2001.
Jin Di &Nida, E. A On Translation 中国对外翻译出版公司 1984.
Kramsch, Claire Language and Culture Shanghai: Shanghai Foreign Language Education Press, 2000.
Larry A. Samovar et al. Communication Between Cultures Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press, 1990.
Longman Group Limited Longman Dictionacy of Contemporary English. New Edition Beijing:Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press, 1997.
Newmark, Peter a A Textbook of Translation Shanghai: Shanghai Foreign Language Education Press, 2001.
Newmark, Peter b Approaches to Translation Shanghai: Shanghai Foreign Language Education Press, 2001.
Nida, Eugene. A Language and Culture: Contexts in Translating Shanghai: Shanghai Foreign Language Education Press, 2001.
Nord, Christiane Translating As a Purposeful Activity: Functionalist Aroaches Explained Shanghai: Shanghai Foreign Language Education Press, 2001.
Snell-Hornby,Mary Translation Studies: An Integrated Approach Shanghai: Shanghai Foreign Language Education Press,2001.
白靖宇，《文化与翻译》 北京：中国社会科学出版社2000．
包惠南，《文化语境与语言翻译》 北京：中国对外翻译出版公司2001．
邓炎昌、刘润清，《语言与文化—英汉语言文化对比》 北京：外语教学与研究出版社2001．
郭建中，(编) 《文化与翻译》 北京：中国对外翻译出版公司2000．
郝文杰，“读者反应与跨文化语篇的阐释” 《四川外语学院学报》，2002(1)：22-24．
胡文仲，(编) 《文化与交际》 外语教学与研究出版社1994．
蒋磊，《英汉词语的文化观照与对比》 武汉：武汉大学出版社2000．
金元浦，《接受与反应文论》 济南：山东教育出版社1998．
柯平，“文化差异与语义的非对应” 《中国翻译》，1988(1)．
孔慧怡，《翻译·文学·文化》 北京：北京大学出版社1989．
李运兴，《语篇翻译引论》 北京：中国对外翻译出版公司2001．
廖七一，《当代西方翻译理论探索》 南京：译林出版社2000．
刘重德，《文学翻译十讲》 中国对外翻译出版公司2000．
刘艳丽、杨自俭，“也谈‘归化’与‘异化’” 《中国翻译》，2002(6)：20-24．
罗新璋，(编) 《翻译论集》 北京：商务印书馆1984．
马萧，“文学翻译的接受美学观” 《中国翻译》，2002(2)：47-51．
马祖毅，《中国翻译简史》 北京：中国对外翻译出版公司1998．
孟建钢，“文化空省与翻译中的语篇连贯重构”《山东外语教学》，2002(2)：41-45．
彭保良，“从文化差异的角度看英汉翻译中的词义的确立” 《中国翻译》，1998(1)：25-27．
秦文华，“在翻译文本新墨痕的字里行间——从互文性角度谈翻译” 《外国语》，2002(2)．
孙靖，“翻译与中西文化磨合” 褚孝泉主编《外国语言文化论丛》，复
旦大学出版社2002．
谭载喜，《西方翻译简史》 北京：商务印书馆2000．
王秉钦，《文化翻译学》 天津：南开大学出版社1995．
王东风，“文化缺省与翻译的连贯重构” 《外国语》，1997(6)：55-60．
王宁，“全球化时代的文化研究和翻译研究” 《中国翻译》，2001(1)．
王福祥、吴汉樱，(编) 《文化与语言》 外语教学与研究出版社1994．
王佐良，《翻译：思考与试笔》 北京：外语教学研究出版社1989．
吴友富，《国俗语义研究》 上海：上海外语教育出版社2001．
谢天振，《译介学》 上海：上海外语教育出版社1989．
邢福义，(编) 《文化语言学》 武汉：湖北教育出版社2000．
徐丹，“文化融合中的语言翻译问题” 《中国翻译》，1989(3)：2-5．
许渊冲，(译) 《唐宋词一百五十首》 北京：北京大学出版社1990．
晏小花、刘详清，“汉英翻译的文化空缺及其翻译对策” 《中国科技翻译》，2002(2)：8-10．
叶子南，《高级英汉翻译理论与实践》 北京：清华大学出版社2001．
乐金声，“欠额翻译与文化补偿” 《中国翻译》，1999(2)：18-20．
张今，《文学翻译原理》 郑州：河南大学出版社1987．
郑声滔，《翻译与文化交流——翻译学新教程》 成都：成都科技大学出版社 1994．
朱立元，《接受美学》 上海：上海人民出版社1989．
Bassnett, Susan & Andre Lefevere Constructing Cultures: Essays on Literary Translating Shanghai: Shanghai Foreign Language Education Press, 2001.
Brown, Gillian & Yule, George Discourse Analysis Beijing: Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press, 2000.
Cook, Guy Discourse and Literature Shanghai: Shanghai Foreign Language Education Press, 1999.
Fawcett, Peter "Presupposition and Translation". The Pragmatics of Translation edited by Leo Hickey Shanghai: Shanghai Foreign Language Education Press, 2001.
Hatim, Basil & Mason Ian Discourse and the Translator Shanghai: Shanghai Foreign Language Education Press, 2001.
Jin Di &Nida, E. A On Translation 中国对外翻译出版公司 1984.
Kramsch, Claire Language and Culture Shanghai: Shanghai Foreign Language Education Press, 2000.
Larry A. Samovar et al. Communication Between Cultures Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press, 1990.
Longman Group Limited Longman Dictionacy of Contemporary English. New Edition Beijing:Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press, 1997.
Newmark, Peter a A Textbook of Translation Shanghai: Shanghai Foreign Language Education Press, 2001.
Newmark, Peter b Approaches to Translation Shanghai: Shanghai Foreign Language Education Press, 2001.
Nida, Eugene. A Language and Culture: Contexts in Translating Shanghai: Shanghai Foreign Language Education Press, 2001.
Nord, Christiane Translating As a Purposeful Activity: Functionalist Aroaches Explained Shanghai: Shanghai Foreign Language Education Press, 2001.
Snell-Hornby,Mary Translation Studies: An Integrated Approach Shanghai: Shanghai Foreign Language Education Press,2001.
白靖宇，《文化与翻译》 北京：中国社会科学出版社2000．
包惠南，《文化语境与语言翻译》 北京：中国对外翻译出版公司2001．
邓炎昌、刘润清，《语言与文化—英汉语言文化对比》 北京：外语教学与研究出版社2001．
郭建中，(编) 《文化与翻译》 北京：中国对外翻译出版公司2000．
郝文杰，“读者反应与跨文化语篇的阐释” 《四川外语学院学报》，2002(1)：22-24．
胡文仲，(编) 《文化与交际》 外语教学与研究出版社1994．
蒋磊，《英汉词语的文化观照与对比》 武汉：武汉大学出版社2000．
金元浦，《接受与反应文论》 济南：山东教育出版社1998．
柯平，“文化差异与语义的非对应” 《中国翻译》，1988(1)．
孔慧怡，《翻译·文学·文化》 北京：北京大学出版社1989．
李运兴，《语篇翻译引论》 北京：中国对外翻译出版公司2001．
廖七一，《当代西方翻译理论探索》 南京：译林出版社2000．
刘重德，《文学翻译十讲》 中国对外翻译出版公司2000．
刘艳丽、杨自俭，“也谈‘归化’与‘异化’” 《中国翻译》，2002(6)：20-24．
罗新璋，(编) 《翻译论集》 北京：商务印书馆1984．
马萧，“文学翻译的接受美学观” 《中国翻译》，2002(2)：47-51．
马祖毅，《中国翻译简史》 北京：中国对外翻译出版公司1998．
孟建钢，“文化空省与翻译中的语篇连贯重构”《山东外语教学》，2002(2)：41-45．
彭保良，“从文化差异的角度看英汉翻译中的词义的确立” 《中国翻译》，1998(1)：25-27．
秦文华，“在翻译文本新墨痕的字里行间——从互文性角度谈翻译” 《外国语》，2002(2)．
孙靖，“翻译与中西文化磨合” 褚孝泉主编《外国语言文化论丛》，复
旦大学出版社2002．
谭载喜，《西方翻译简史》 北京：商务印书馆2000．
王秉钦，《文化翻译学》 天津：南开大学出版社1995．
王东风，“文化缺省与翻译的连贯重构” 《外国语》，1997(6)：55-60．
王宁，“全球化时代的文化研究和翻译研究” 《中国翻译》，2001(1)．
王福祥、吴汉樱，(编) 《文化与语言》 外语教学与研究出版社1994．
王佐良，《翻译：思考与试笔》 北京：外语教学研究出版社1989．
吴友富，《国俗语义研究》 上海：上海外语教育出版社2001．
谢天振，《译介学》 上海：上海外语教育出版社1989．
邢福义，(编) 《文化语言学》 武汉：湖北教育出版社2000．
徐丹，“文化融合中的语言翻译问题” 《中国翻译》，1989(3)：2-5．
许渊冲，(译) 《唐宋词一百五十首》 北京：北京大学出版社1990．
晏小花、刘详清，“汉英翻译的文化空缺及其翻译对策” 《中国科技翻译》，2002(2)：8-10．
叶子南，《高级英汉翻译理论与实践》 北京：清华大学出版社2001．
乐金声，“欠额翻译与文化补偿” 《中国翻译》，1999(2)：18-20．
张今，《文学翻译原理》 郑州：河南大学出版社1987．
郑声滔，《翻译与文化交流——翻译学新教程》 成都：成都科技大学出版社 1994．
朱立元，《接受美学》 上海：上海人民出版社1989．