语言中的模因

Memes in Language

模因论是解释文化进化规律的新理论。模因仿照基因而得名,它指一些思想或观念通过人类文化加以散播,并一代一代地相传下来。模因实际上指文化基因,它靠模仿传播而生存,语言是它的载体之一。模因有利于语言的发展,而模因本身也靠语言得以复制和传播。从模因论的角度看,语言模因揭示了话语流传和语言传播的规律。自然语言中的模因是从三个方面体现的:教育和知识传授、语言本身的运用和通过信息的交际和交流。本文认为,语言模因信息的复制和传播方式可以分为两大类型:内容不变但以不同的形式进行复制,或者形式不改却以不同的内容加以扩展。前者称为模因的基因型,后者则为模因的表现型。文章接着分析了语言模因对翻译研究、文化研究以及语言教学的影响,最后用实例说明模因在这些方面的实际意义,并指出语言模因将有助于促进语言的进化和发展。

Memetics is a new theory for interpreting cultural evolution. Memes, invented to suggest a strong analogy with genes, are ideas that spread through human cultures and across the generation. Memes are genes of culture, existing as cultural replicators propagated through imitations language is one form of their carriers. Memes benefit the development of language, and at the same time they benefit themselves by language in the process of replicating and transmitting. Memetically, language memes reveal, from a new angle, the law of speech spread and language replication. Memes in natural language can be reflected in three aspects： educating and passing on knowledge, language applying, information-communicating and exchanging. This paper holds that there are two ways for memes to be replicated and transmitted： the same core content being inherited in various forms, and the identical set pattern being followed by different contents. The former is of memetic genotype, and the latter memetic phenotype. This paper also analyses the impact of language memes on translation, culture and language teaching. Finally, it illustrates with examples the significance of the memes and points out that they will help to promote the language evolution and its development.