论汉译英文本中音译词的作用

On Role of Transliteration in C-E Translation

音译与一般翻译不同,它保留源语读音而不传达源语意义。音译词在汉译英过程中被广泛应用。它创造了一种陌生的形式,使读者免受译语文化的干扰,再通过解释或注释等补偿手段,向译语读者输入源语文化信息。这是汉语文化传播的一个有效方法。然而,在译语文化中,音译词的作用是双重的。在保留和传播汉语文化的同时,它又对这个过程有所限制。在汉语文化传播过程中,必须谨慎使用音译词。

Other than traditional translation, transliteration transfers sound but not meaning from source language. The transliterated words are heavily used in Chinese--English translation as they can create a foreign form that keep the target readers away from their own culture, and with complements like explanations or notes, they fill the readers with source culture. For years transliteration has been a very effective way to spread Chinese culture. Yet, in target culture system, the role the transliterated words are playing is dual, i. e. they restrict the process of cultural communication at the mean time they succeed in maintaining Chinese cultural elements. Therefore, we should be fully aware of their dual power and employ them with caution.