由直译意译引发的思考

Reflection from Literal Translation and Free Translation

直译和意译之争由来已久。有人认为应以直译为主,也有人认为应以意译为主。其实,单纯地谈直译、意译之争是没有多大意义的。更多的需要结合翻译定义、翻译标准、译者目的、译者修养、译者所处时代特征等。新时期,翻译的文化因素受到越来越多的关注。西方学者首先提出的异化、归化概念在新时期的中国发生了变化。直译与意译相结合的方法不失为处理翻译的好方法。贝尔的翻译观(即"概念匣子"理论),让人注意到直译与意译都不是万能的。

Debate on literal translation and free translation has been in existence for a long time. Some hold that literal translation should be the main translation method, and others insist on free translation. However, it is meaningless to discuss them separately. More factors should be taken into consideration, such as the definition and norm of translation, translator＇s purpose and competence, and the age a translator lives in, etc. In this new era, culture, as an influential factor, has received more and more attention. In China some changes have been made on foreignization and domestication put forward by foreign scholars. Sometimes, it is an ideal way to combine literal translation and free translation to deal with a thorny problem in practice. Roger Bell＇s theory of concept box tells us that literal translation and free translation are not omnipotent.