改革开放以来我国对外翻译规划与国家形象构建

Reflections on China’s Outward Translation Planning and National Image Construction Since Reform and Opening Up

文学翻译作为文化外交的重要机制,能够帮助文化产品输出国提升国家的形象和软实力。这种出于政治诉求的主动译出行为既依靠输出国合理有效的政策规划,也取决于译入语文化环境的具体情况和需求。我国改革开放40年以来的对外翻译规划体现了文学翻译作为文化外交机制的运作特点和实践途径,是输出国为传播自身文化所做出的有益尝试。从历时角度来看,中国对外翻译规划在实践主体和政策战略等方面都发生了重要的变化。本文以21世纪为界,探讨对外翻译规划从国家机构主导到"借帆出海"的转变,从自我视野中的国家形象建构到他者视野的过渡,在文化外交的理念下结合中国文学翻译场域的变化,思考中国对外翻译规划如何动员各方力量扩大社会网络、结合市场需求丰富自身实践,如何适应不同时代的传播方式,如何更好地了解接受国的期待、提升输出效果,以期能为我国对外翻译规划提供一定的借鉴。

Literary translation,taken as an important mechanism of cultural diplomacy,can boost the national image and strengthen the soft power of the exporting country.Such politically driven translation needs to be supported by the source culture with reasonable and effective outward translation planning and also needs to align with the demands of the target culture.Since the 21st century,notable changes have occurred in the implementation and strategization of China’s outward translation planning which provides an exemplary case to investigate how a source culture can deploy literary translation for cultural diplomacy and how translation functions and operates under such an initiative.This article analyzes the ongoing transition from "impositional" institutional translation to "requisitional" translation which now encourages the participation of Western agents in China’s outward translation planning and how this move has influenced the construction of China’s national image.In consideration of the changes in the translation field,it proposes that China’s outward translation planning should mobilize wider social and cultural networks,resort to more diverse means of transmission and adopt market-based strategies that can respond to the demands of the target culture and improve the impact of its cultural exports.