潜文本与文学翻译——从电影片名Waterloo Bridge的翻译说起

Sub-text and Literary Translation

本文讨论文学翻译中潜文本(sub-text)的处理问题。文中通过对潜文本概念的讨论,借用关联翻译理论中弱交际(weak communication)的概念,并从翻译伦理的角度,探讨了文学翻译的基本原则。文中指出:在文学翻译中,译者应尽可能忠实地再现原文作者的意图,而这种意图不但是通过显文本、而且是通过潜文本表达的。本文还指出,译者对读者负有同样的责任。一方面,他应该尊重译入语读者了解原文真实面貌的权利,另一方面,他还应该相信他们完全有能力通过自己的认知努力充分理解原文作者的意图。因此,原文中的潜文本,在译入语文本中应该仍然是潜文本。本文最后指出,中国传统译论中关于"案本"的思想并没有过时,应该是文学翻译的基本原则和普世价值。

This paper discusses the handling of the sub-text in literary translation.After a discussion of this notion in literary creation and the notion of weak communication,as well as the ethics of translation,it is pointed out that,in literary translation,the translator should endeavour to represent the intention of the SL writer,which is presented through the sub-text as well as the surface text.It is then pointed out that the translator is also responsible for TL readers.On the one hand,he should respect their right to know what is actually said in the SL text;on the other hand,he should trust TL readers＇ ability to understand the intention of the SL writer through their own cognitive efforts.Therefore,what is implied（i.e.the sub-text）in the SL text should remain implied in the TL text.It is then concluded that the thought of＂fidelity to the original＂in the Chinese tradition is still valid as the basic principle and universal value of literary translation.