如何定义翻译?——对翻译概念的反思与重构

How to Define Translation:Rethinking and Reconstructing the Concept

翻译通常被定义为从一种语言到另一种语言的意义转移,而对等是最常用的标准之一。通过回顾翻译概念在世界主要文化,尤其是非西方文化中的指称和内涵,本文强调翻译概念含义的丰富性和多样性,并指出,世界大部分文化对翻译概念的解读不同于西方范式默认“翻译为意义完全转移”的解读。在挑战当代翻译研究追求翻译概念单一和统一的定义的同时,本文提出应该为翻译提供一个广义的定义,以反映其跨时间、空间和文化的特质;与此同时,亦有必要为翻译提供一个狭义的定义,以满足特定理论框架下的翻译实践及教学。

Translation is usually defined as meaning transfer from one language to another,with equivalence being one of the most used criteria.By reviewing the denotation and connotation of the concept of translation in major cultures,particularly in non-Western ones,this paper underscores the term's rich and diverse meanings,most of which are different from the“default”sense of complete transfer of linguistic meaning across languages in translation studies within the Western paradigm.While calling into question the legitimacy for pursuing a single and unified definition of the concept in translation studies today,this paper argues for a broad definition of translation,with its readiness to admit idiosyncratic translational performance and thinking across time,space,and cultures.At the same time,it is necessary to explore different narrow definitions for the concept of translation so as to guide translation practice and pedagogy within a certain frame of theoretical reference.