奈达翻译定义的误译与纠正

Misinterpretation and Correction of Nida's Definition of Translating

奈达翻译定义自上世纪80年代初至今一直被误译和误读。由于误译误导,中国读者将奈达翻译理论奉为优于传统译论的新理论并掀起所谓的“等值”理论热。事实上,奈达并没有主张“等效”或“等值”翻译,他主张的翻译原则是再现源语信息最接近的、最自然的对应信息。奈达的翻译原则为求似翻译原则,他要求在意义上和风格上都贴近原作。国内的译论界须重新审视对奈达翻译定义的研究。

Nida＇s translation definition has been misinterpreted and misread since the beginning of 1980s. Misunderstandings mislead Chinese readers to believe that Nida＇s ＂equal-value＂ theory is superior to the traditional theories and take it as the main and leading translation theory. As a matter of fact, Doctor Eugene A. Nida does not agree with the ＂equal-value＂ theory at all. What Mr.Nida promotes most of all is the translation principle of reproducing in the receptor language the closest natural equivalent of the source-language message, first in terms of meaning and secondly in terms of style, which can be called ＂closeness principle of translation＂ in short. It emphasizes ＂the closest natural equivalent of the source-language message, first in terms of meaning and secondly in terms of style＂. This also requires the restudying of Nida＇s translation definition and theory in the field of translation of our country.