基于语料库的“主义”词译出译入对比研究

Comparison between direct and inverse translations in rendering zhuyi terms in Mao Zedong’s works:A corpus-based investigation

毛泽东著作中“主义”词使用频率很高,这一现象不仅体现了毛泽东言语的个性化特征,也成为毛泽东政治话语体系的重要组成成分。本文以《毛泽东选集》中的“主义”词为切入点,以译出和译入版本为研究对象,借助语料库考察两种译本对各类“主义”词的翻译方法,探究不同翻译方向译本对毛泽东个性化言语在处理方式上的异同。考察发现,就“主义”词翻译而言,译出版本和译入版本均未表现出完全的篇内规律性,二者存在一定的篇际相似性和差异性。本文认为,一方面,两种译本不具有完全的篇内规律性,是可接受性与充分性相互妥协、相互调和的结果;另一方面,两种译本存在篇际相似性和差异性,是由于毛泽东著作及其译出版本具有更高的权威性。政治文献外译不仅要确保正确性、及时性和权威性,而且在保证可接受性的基础上还应保留中国特色,制定中国标准。

The frequent occurrence of zhuyi terms in Mao Zedong’s works reflect Mao’s idiosyncratic characteristics in language use and contribute to the construction of his political discourse system.Starting with a classification of zhuyi terms in Mao Zedong Xuanji,the present paper makes a corpus-based comparison between direct and inverse translations of MaoZedong’s works in terms of their methods for translating zhuyi terms to explore the similarities and differences between the two types of translations in dealing with his idiosyncratic language use.The results suggest that neither type of translation displays complete inner-textual regularities,and both show some inter-textual similarities and differences.These findings can be explained from two perspectives:(a)Translated texts reflect a compromise and balance between adequacy and acceptability;(b)MaoZedong’s works and their direct translations occupy a high and authoritative status in China and the world at large.This paper further points out that the direct translation of political documents should ensure correctness,promptness,authoritativeness,and maintain Chinese characteristics and standards based on acceptability.