浅析汉英方位词翻译的对比——以“东西南北”为例

Analysis of the Comparison between Chinese and Western Countries in Translation of Location Words——with Special Reference to “East,West,South, and North”

语言是一种社会现象和文化载体,同时又是文化的一个重要组成部分。在语言的各要素中词汇是基本要素。因文化差异在词汇层面上有所体现,对词汇的解释也必然能够体现各民族文化间的差异,而汉英方位词"东西南北"翻译的相通之处却极易被人们发现。方位词反应一定的空间域,是人类语言中最基本的认知域之一。英汉在空间域的表达习惯上有一定程度的差异。基于萨丕尔-沃尔夫假说,从不同的历史背景、地域文化出发,探究其差异的综合原因,并通过对"东西南北"四个方位词以及其所蕴含的文化以及隐喻内涵的差异来探寻英汉民族不同的文化特点,在跨文化交际以及在翻译中具有的重要意义。

Language is a kind of social phenomenon and cultural carrier, and an integral part of culture as well. Vocabulary is a fundamental part element in all the elements of a language. Since cultural diversities exert an effect on the use of a word, the interpretation of the word inevitably reflects rational or cultural differences.However;similarities between Chinese and English in translation of“East, West, South, and North”can easily be defined. Location words describe corresponding spatial domains, and symbolize one of the most basic cognitive domains in human languages. Chinese and English people have different ways in describing spatial domains. Based on the theories of Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis, this paper tries to discover the reasons from historical background local cultural and characteristics. A good comprehension of the cultural diversities and metaphor connotations entailed such by the location words as east, west, south, and north in Chinese and English makes great contributions to intercultural communication, language teaching and translation.