翻译中的价值问题探讨

A Probe into the Axiology in Translation

基于索绪尔的价值理论和焦菊隐的价值二分法,本文探讨了翻译中的价值属性、价值判断等方面的问题。作者认为,价值是纵聚合关系与横组合关系共同作用的结果,其中绝对价值体现了语言使用者对语言的掌握,相对价值则体现了语言使用者的创造性。在翻译过程中,转换的对象并非词汇等语言单位预先规定的意义,亦非静止的词典释义,而是具体上下文中的变通意义,也即静态的词典释义受所处语言环境熏染而产生的动态的相对价值。换言之,译者的能动性应该体现为在词汇单独的绝对价值和相对价值以及词汇组合体的相对价值之间进行判断和选择的过程。

The author introduces the theory of value by Saussure and the dichotomy of value by Jiao Juyin, which underlies the discussion of axiology in translation. Value is represented in the syntagmatic relation generated in the course of contrast with and choice among other words in the paradigmatic relation. What is to be translated is the dynamic meaning acquired from the specific context, that is, the relative value of language units derived from the syntagmatic relations they are in, instead of the static meaning found in a dictionary. The choice of the translator means weighing between the relative value of single words and that of language units they are in. Translation is the product of selective understanding of the source language and creative employment of the target language.