古今异义词翻译陷阱及译法探析——以杨宪益、戴乃迭《宋明平话选》译本为例

On the Translation Traps and Methods of Words Meaning Differently Across Time: A Case Study of Selected Chinese Stories of the Song and the Ming Dynasties Translated by Yang Xianyi and Gladys Yang

古今异义词是中国典籍外译中的一大难点。词义的变化、语境的不同、词性的改变、单双音节词的转换等是导致古今异义词的翻译困难的原因。研究翻译家杨宪益、戴乃迭的《宋明平话选》可得,古今异义词的翻译可采用直译与意译相结合的翻译方法,而运用减译、增译、转换等翻译技巧是改善古今异义词翻译质量的有效途径。

Words meaning differently across time is an obstacle in the translation of Chinese classics. Factors causing the difficulties of translating these homograph include changes in word meaning, context, part of speech, and syllables. By analyzing and researching on the translated version of Selected Chinese Stories of the Song and Ming Dynasties by Yang Xianyi and Gladys Yang, it is concluded that the translation of homographs should be conducted through combination of literal translation and free translation. Moreover, the adoption of translating techniques such as omission, addition and shift is an effective way to improve the translation quality of words meaning differently across time.