英语世界《道德经》译名变化探究

A Study of the Changes in the Translation of the Title of Tao Te Ching in English Speaking Countries

《道德经》是中华文化典籍代表之一,以其高度凝练的诗性语言与深邃的哲学思想吸引着无数西方学者不断对其做出新的阐释,成为被译介得最多、影响最大的中国典籍。《道德经》译本,受译者的主体性和多样性以及时代背景影响,呈现出多元化的趋势,其译名和风格也各有不同,经历了一个历时的变化。文章从《道德经》文本在英语世界的三次翻译高潮出发,探究其译名的变化,分析这种变化背后的社会文化因素。

Tao Te Ching is one of the classical works of Chinese culture. With its highly concise poetic language and profound philosophical thoughts,it has attracted numerous western scholars to make different interpretations,and therefore has become the most frequently translated and introduced Chinese classic with the greatest influence.The versions of Tao Te Ching,influenced by the subjectivity and diversity of translators and the background of the times,present a trend of diversification and a diachronic change. Based on the three translation climaxes of Tao Te Ching in English speaking countries,this paper explores the changes in the translation of the title of Tao Te Ching and analyzes the social and cultural causes.