从“Dragon”到“loong”——论意识形态对“中国龙”英译实践的操纵

ON MANIPULATION OF IDEOLOGY TO TRANSLATION OF "CHINESE DRAGON/LOONG"

翻译作为一种跨语言和跨文化的交际行为,从一开始就不可避免地打上了意识形态的烙印。翻译过程中译者对翻译策略的选择更多的是基于意识形态方面的考虑。当中国龙最初被英译的时候正是鸦片战争前期,西方霸权意识、排华意识浓厚,受此意识形态影响,中国图腾"龙"被误译成"dragon";现在,中国国际地位不断提升,中国民族意识不断增强,于是不少国人提出要给"中国龙"正名,要将其改译为汉语拼音"long"或新造词"loong"。显然,不管是"dragon"还是"long/loong",都是意识形态这只无形的手在幕后操纵着"中国龙"的翻译实践。

Translation, as an exchange or activity between different languages and cultures, is deeply influenced by the translator＇s ideology from the beginning. During the translation process, a translator chooses his/her translation strategy mainly according to his/her ideology. When Chinese ＂ 龙 ＂was first translated into English China was on the eve of Opium War, when the ideology of Western hegemony which appeared in opposition to Chinese thought and culture was very strong. That＇s the reason why it was translated into ＂dragon＂. But now, with the rising of China＇s international position and influence, Chinese national ideology is increasing. More and more Chinese put forward that Chinese ＂ 龙 ＂ should be re-translated with the Chinese Pinyin ＂long＂ or the coinage ＂loong＂. It is ideology, which is just like an invisible hand, that manipulates the translation of Chinese ＂dragon/loong＂.