翻译·民族·想象——论翻译在民族建构过程中的作用

Translation, nation and imagination: The functions of translation in the process of nation-building

现代民族的形成不可能一蹴而就,需要一个长期持续的民族建构过程。本文从民族主义视角,选取中华民族历经百年的民族建构过程中的几个关键时期,辅以世界其他现代民族的建构历史,讨论翻译与民族建构之间的关联以及翻译在民族建构过程中的作用。文章指出,翻译可以有效地传播民族意识,为"想象"民族提供媒介;翻译可以促进民族语言、民族文学的形成与发展,以及民族文化的传承;翻译还可参与民族身份的建构,增强民族成员对本民族的认同。

The making of modern nation needs a long process of nation-building.This paper discusses how translation and nation-building are closely related and what role translation can play in the nation-building project from the nationalist perspective.Diversified cases are taken to elaborate the functions of translation with reference to the nation-building history of such nations as Chinese,German,Indian,American,etc.The author points out that translation may contribute to the nation-building in the following ways:(1)Widely-read translated works can effectively cement national consciousness and thus serve as the media for imagining the nation;(2)The readers group of translated works can strengthen national language and national literature,help stimulate and enrich national culture;(3)Translation can also become a powerful element in the formation and construction of national identity,and the self-assertion of the nation.