翻译质量评估的理想与现实

Toward a “Science” of Precise Measurement?: A Reality Check of TQA's Aspiration

翻译质量评估(TQA)作为翻译研究的一个次领域长期以来视角林立,各种模式的前提及预设相互冲突,且这些模式本身的内在理论结构也存在明显缺陷,与翻译评估现实状况脱节。在结合翻译产业现状全面审视TQA实践的基础上,本文发现,致力于改进评估质量的相关学术探讨及实际操作之所以效果不彰,其根源在于被广泛看成是理所当然的一个设定,即TQA的最高和最终目标应是使对于译作的评价臻至科学、客观、准确。正是这一尚未得到认真审视与反思的设定使TQA未能在观念及方法上得到突破。正确认识并接受翻译质量评估无法摆脱的内在张力和难以消解的多元性及不确定性,并以此作为其概念化、理论化的出发点,是使TQA能够真正接地气的一个关键前提。

The study of translation quality assessment(TQA) remains mired in a paralyzing lack of internal cohesion and a sterilizing disconnection from reality. A check of TQA theoretical models against real-life conditions for their application shows that a single-minded aspiration for a "scientific" mode of assessment characterized by objectivity, accuracy and certainty might be the root cause for the existing problems with which these models have been plagued. The examination also suggests that in coming to terms with conceptual fuzziness of quality, inherent tensions and irreducible plurality of quality evaluation, and the instantial nature of any applicable assessment theory, one might find a remedy for those problems.