言语不通,讯无别故:清代前中期奏折之“译讯”考察

A Study of “Yixun” in Shipwrecks Rescue during Early and Middle Qing Period

“译讯”是清代“夷务”处理程序之一,清代前中期的“夷务”奏报中有不少关于“难夷”事务的“译讯”记录,从中可观察到这一时期中外交流与沟通情状。整理细读《明清时期澳门问题档案文献汇编》相关奏折可以发现,1811年之前“难夷”事务奏报多以记述抚恤发遣事项为主,之后的奏报则对“译讯”费墨较多。面对“言语不通”之困境,清政府“译”之举措主要包括“比对手势”“授与纸笔”及传唤多位通事、转送他处等多种方式,而“讯”之结果多为“并无别故”。对“难夷”讯问明确的日益重视,反映出清廷对传教、私货交易、兵船来犯等“夷务”的防范逐步增强,而“难夷”等“夷务”的日趋繁杂,更在一定程度上促使清廷认识到“译”的迫切。纵然清廷“夷务”态度和翻译认识的转变充满被动与无奈,却是晚清翻译高潮形成的铺垫和前奏。

“Yixun”,or communication through translation/interpreting,is an indispensable part in shipwrecks rescue during Qing Dynasty.It is found in a synchronic study that problems of communication are done with gestures or pens,or even by transferring a communication problem to other places where translators/interpreters are available,but the questioning usually ends in the same way.However,the fact that more and more importance is attached to“yixun”,as a mirror of Qing s attitude towards foreign affairs,unveils that officials in Qing Dynasty become increasingly aware of challenges and threats from outside as well as the need for accurate translations.It is this very change that underpins and foreshadows the translation boom in the following Late Qing period.