翻译研究须“小心的求证”——以钱钟书翻译思想研究为例

“Solicitous Verification”, an Attitude Badly Needed in Present Translation Studies in China——Taking Studies on Qian Zhongshu's Translation Thoughts as an Example

关于治学方法,胡适提倡十个字——"大胆的假设,小心的求证"。胡适以为,"大胆的假设"虽也重要,但"小心的求证"更为关键。笔者发现,在钱钟书翻译思想(以"化境"译论为中心)研究中,"大胆的假设"不乏,但其中不少要么没有经过"求证",要么就是"求证"尚不"小心"。事实上,就整个中国传统译论研究而言,"小心的求证"都可谓缺乏。中国传统译论研究要健康地前行,亟有必要提倡并践行胡适当年念兹在兹的治学方法,又特别是"小心的求证"。

As for scientific research, Hu Shi, a celebrated scholar in China once put forward such a method or attitude as “bold hypotheses, solicitous verification”. According to Hu Shi, “solicitous verification” is more important than “bold hypotheses”. To the knowledge of the author of this paper, “solicitous verification” is quite absent in the present translation studies in China. Taking studies on Qianzhongshu’s translation thoughts as an example, although “bold hypotheses” （bold conclusions） are seen here and there, yet most of which lack of verification or are at least not solicitously verified. To advance the translation studies in China in a healthy way, the above-mentioned attitude, and “solicitous verification” in particular should be advocated and put into practice.