所指的差异与可译性限度

Differences between signified systems and limitation of translatability

可译性限度一直是翻译理论关注的热点问题。索绪尔的语言理论指出,语言符号的能指是任意的,所指也是任意的,所指的任意性是使用不同语言的人们用以建构概念系统的手段,也是使用不同语言的人们对外部世界任意划分的结果。这一语言的基本属性就决定了不同语言之间语言符号的所指的差异,并导致不同语言符号转换的困难,进而成为对翻译的可译性的限制因素。为克服所指差异造成的可译性限度,人们在翻译实践中运用音译、解释等手段来解决这个难题,而全球化导致的不同语言之间人们交流的加深,促进了不同语言之间所指系统的趋同,从而在客观上将逐渐消解可译性的限度。

The limitation of translatability has been a heated issue in the study of translation theories. According to Saussure＇ s language theory, both the signifier and the signified are arbitrary. The arbitrariness of the signified is the means for the different language users to create their own unique concept systems, and on the other hand, it is also the result of arbitrary dividing of the outside world by different language users. This primary property of language makes sure that there are definitely differences of signified systems among different languages, which makes it difficult to carry out the transformation from one language sign system into another, and constitutes the limiting factor of translatability. To overcome this limitation caused by the differences between signified systems among different languages, various means such as transliteration and explanation are used in translation practice. The gradual softening of this limitation of translatability might lie on the fact that globalization is deepening the communication among different people and under this effect there will be the increased tendency of unification of the signification of different languages.