海关语境中“border”的译法辨析

A Study on the Translation of “Border”in Customs

对于border一词,公安学惯用"边境",政治学和地理学倾向于译为"边界",我们建议海关研究使用"口岸"。这样的译法差别,并非仅仅来源于不同学科的语言习惯,而是蕴含着微妙而深刻的概念界定差异。在中文中,border译为"边境"值得商榷,译为"边界"更准确,而在海关语境中border译为"口岸"更专业,更符合海关研究的实际。从现代海关设置和管理的角度来看,口岸是海关设立的地点和实施管理的主战场;将border译为口岸,拓展了对海关研究的认知,口岸监管、口岸保护、口岸安全等口岸管理相关概念的提出为海关研究开辟了一个新的领域。

The word "border"is usually translated into "边境"in the science of public security,and "边界" in the science of politics and geography. But we suggest "口岸"in the field of customs study. The different translations of the word are not only derived from the different idiomatic expressions in these disciplines,but they also bear delicate but profound different connotations in definition. It is debatable to put "border"into "边境" in Chinese,and we argue that "边界" is a better choice,but in the context of customs,"口岸" is more professional and fitter for the reality of customs study. From the perspective of the setup and administration of modern customs,"口岸" is the place where the customs is established and the main battlefield where the administration is performed. The translation of"border"into"口岸"will broaden the conceptions and open up new fields of customs studies as the concepts of border control,border protection and border security which related to border management are proposed.