“文明等级”的提升——论丁韪良英译中国神话传说和诗歌

Uplifting China on the "Ladder of Civilization":A Study of the English Translation of Chinese Legends and Poems by W.A.P. Martin

本文将丁韪良的翻译活动回置于近代中西方权力关系的背景下,以19世纪西方殖民势力制定的世界"文明等级"秩序为参照,指出丁韪良英译中国神话传说和诗歌的根本目的在于向西方社会传播中国"半文明"的定位和形象,以维护西方在华的殖民利益和传教利益。为了实现这一目的,丁韪良对翻译的题材进行了刻意筛选,并且在翻译过程中对汉语原作进行了系统的操控与改写。作为首位集中从事中国神话传说和诗歌英译的美国汉学家,丁韪良在客观上为中国文学在美国的传播做出了贡献。

The article is a study of W. A. P. Martin＇s English translation of Chinese legends and poems in the background of Sino-Western power relation in the modem period. On the basis of the ＂ladder of civilization＂ established by the Western colonial powers in the 19th century, the article argues that the ultimate purpose of Martin＇s translation activity is to disseminate to the western community the ＂semi-civilized＂ status and image of Chi- na, whereby to maintain both the colonial and missionary interests of the west in China. In order to fulfill the purpose, Martin has made deliberate choices of the subject matter, and has manipulated and rewritten the Chinese original throughout the process of translation. As far as the historical effect is concerned, as the first American sinologist who has worked intensively in the English translation of Chinese legends and poems, Martin has made contributions to the spread of Chinese literature in America.