“西域”英译考辨

A Study of the English Translation of “Xiyu”

西域研究自19世纪以来一直为海内外学界所重视,然"西域"一词的英文译名却难求一致,此种状况不免给学术研究及翻译工作带来诸多不便。本文在整理中西研究成果的基础上力求对"西域"之英译名有一个清晰的辨识和抉择,期待相关方案在不远的将来能获得更多方家认可。

The academic circle has attached great importance to the study of Xiyu （Western Regions） since the 19th century. However, the debate about how to translate the term Xiyu from Chinese into English has not yet been resolved, which has caused confusion among many scholars and translators. Based on an integration of different usages of the term Xiyu from various works both at home and abroad, the author tries to clearly analyze these variations in translation and find an exact solution to the English translation of Xiyu. It would be pleasant if this solution were to be accepted by more experts in the future.