典籍翻译理解的启示——从《三国演义》翻译中的理解谈起

Enlightenment from the Understanding in the Process of Translating Chinese Classics——Starting from the Case of the Rendering of Three Kingdoms

该文通过对罗慕士和张亦文《三国演义》第43回英译中的一些译例进行对比,指出,华夏典籍博大精深,文化底蕴深厚,外国翻译学者和汉学家对原文的理解难免出现失误,因此典籍英译中外译者合作更合适,但以传播中华文化为目的,从典籍的有序译出和意识形态考虑应以国内译者为主体。

This paper expounds the leading role of translation of Chinese classics. By comparing certain instances of Chapter 43 of Three Kingdoms, rendered by Moss Roberts, an American scholar and Zhang Yiwen, a Canadian professor of Chinese origin, it is intended to point out that Sinologists cannot fully understand Chinese classics because they are extensive and profound, and heavily culture-loaded. What is more important is the understanding of a complete picture of them on the part of foreigners is apt to err. Finally, it draws the conclusion that Chinese translators and Sinologists should cooperate in carrying out these activities, but with the purpose to spread Chinese culture, involving orderly sequence and social ideology, Chinese trarislators are supposed to play the leading role.