探索翻译空间

Exploring Translation Spaces

本文探讨翻译研究框架下的空间概念,确切来说是多重空间(spaces)的概念。翻译发生在两种语言之间的空间里,但也源于不同空间,并在不同的空间运作。翻译需要从一处移动到另一处,在此过程中空间的创造/生产使得多种表现方式成为可能。所以,空间概念需要加以扩展定义,以便使其更好地发挥理论作用。本文所讨论的(多重)空间概念不仅是弥合不同的语言和文化之间鸿沟或距离的桥梁,更是一种切实的策略,以了解和理清翻译的运作机制。我们有时需要把焦点从过程层面转移至空间层面,探讨在准确性和可接受性的两个极点间游移的不同幅度,以尝试从不同的角度来协调和提升在语言维度和风格维度上的有效性传递。翻译研究中准确性和可接受性的矛盾,需要一系列空间来满足复杂多变的协商调停的需求。翻译本身即是在不可通约性、多义性和意义与生俱来的不可简约性之间反复调停。考虑到翻译中语义的不确定和审美的飘忽,译者需要跨越多个空间、涉及多种文化规范和传统。民族、社会、文化、历史、审美等空间相互联结;只有加深对翻译中这些空间各式各样形态的思考,翻译文本才可能实现合理平衡,并保持连贯一致。

This paper intends to explore the concept of space,or rather spaces in relation to translation studies.Translation takes place in a space between two languages,but also emanates from and operates within different spaces.Translation entails movement from one site to another,in whose process the creation/production of spaces allows for multiple representations.In order to make it work better,it is necessary to adopt a broad definition of the concept of spaces.Here the concept of space(s)is understood not only as the bridging of a gap or distance between two languages and cultures but more importantly,as a tangible strategy to understand and disentangle what exactly happens when translation occurs.It is sometimes necessary to shift focus from process to space in exploring ways to negotiate and enhance the availability of linguistic and stylistic resources by addressing varying degrees of polarity between accuracy and acceptability.The perennial challenge to reconcile the conflicting demands of both needs requires a series of spaces to meet the needs of intricate negotiation and mediation that are required.Translation leads to an assemblage that mediates the recognition of incommensurability,multiplicity and,ultimately,the inherent irreducibility of meaning.Given the semantically uncertain and aesthetically precarious nature of translation,translators need to traverse varied spaces while working with multiple cultural codes and conventions.Only through a heightened awareness of the polymorphic interfaces between linked national,social,cultural,historical and aesthetic spaces,can it become possible to produce a translation version that is reasonably balanced and consistently coherent.