论典籍翻译中的过度诠释——以宇文所安所译《文心雕龙》的3个核心术语为例

On the Overinterpretation of the Translation of Chinese Classics——With Stephen Owen's Translation of Key Terms of Wen Hsin Tiao Lung as an Example

中国典籍外译的工作向来多由外国译者承担,而外国译者翻译中国典籍会存在一定程度的过度诠释。本文以艾柯的过度诠释理论为视角,以宇文所安所译《文心雕龙》的"文"、"神思"、"风骨"为研究对象,通过译文分析揭示过度诠释的两大表现形式,即过度引申和牵强附会,并进一步指出外国译者所肩负的"创新"职责是导致过度诠释的重要原因。

When it comes to the translation of Chinese classics, foreign translators are always considered the better ones than native translators. Yet this view can be challenged by the fact that overinterpretation is easily found in the foreign translators＇ translation of Chinese classics. From the perspective of Eco＇s hermeneutics theory, this paper provides a close analysis of Stephen Owen＇s translation of the three key terms in Wen hsin tiao lung, namely ＂Wen＂, ＂Shensi＂ and ＂Fenggu＂, and points out that overinter- pretation is rooted in translators＇ intention of theory innovation and manifested in over-amplification and irrelevant comparison.