基于“政治等效”的外交话语隐喻英译策略探究——以2019年中国外交部例行记者会为例

On Strategies for Interpreting Metaphors in Diplomatic Discourse for “Political Equivalence”: A Case Study of Chinese Foreign Ministry’s 2019 Regular Press Conferences

隐喻是新时代中国特色大国外交话语体系的重要构成,对外交话语的内涵表达和功能实现至关重要,隐喻翻译策略的研究有助于提升外交话语的传达效果和中国外交话语权。本文基于杨明星提出的"政治等效"翻译原则,以2019年中国外交部例行记者会中的隐喻为研究对象,探究外交话语中隐喻翻译宜采取的策略。记者会中的隐喻可以分为中西共享隐喻和中西非共享隐喻两大类。在"政治等效"原则的指导下,译者在翻译前者时可以综合考虑隐喻的数量、政治内涵和两种语言的表达习惯,选择保留隐喻或转换隐喻的翻译策略。翻译后者时,译者宜保留隐喻,并根据受众对隐喻文化和政治内涵的了解程度,在需要时加注解释性文字。

Metaphor is of great importance in the major-country diplomatic discourse system with Chinese characteristics for its vital role in the expressiveness and functionality of diplomatic discourse.Studies on the translation strategies of metaphors contribute significantly to facilitating the effective communication of diplomatic discourse and enhancing China’s international discourse power.This paper conducts a case study of Chinese Foreign Ministry’s 2019 regular press conferences on strategies for interpreting metaphors in diplomatic discourse from the perspective of"political equivalence"proposed by Yang Mingxing as a criterion for the translation of diplomatic discourse.The metaphors in 2019 regular press conferences can be categorized into two types:shared and non-shared metaphors between China and the West.For the former,it is suggested to retain or convert metaphors with comprehensive consideration of the number and political connotations of metaphors and the usages of the source and target languages.For the latter,it is suggested to retain metaphors and add explanations when needed on the basis of audiences’understanding of the cultural and political connotations of the metaphors.