马礼逊《华英字典》翻译社会学视角研究

On Morrison ’s Translation of A Dictionary of the Chinese Language: From the Perspective ofTranslation Sociology

从翻译社会学视角出发,借助惯习、资本和场域概念,描述并分析了马礼逊《华英字典》翻译的动因、条件及影响。受宗教惯习影响,马礼逊将翻译《华英字典》视为了解异域文化、服务宗教布道的关键路径。译者在占有充足经济资本和文化资本的基础上,通过翻译《华英字典》传递中国语言文化信息,满足了西方国家因殖民、贸易扩张而对东方世界产生的猎奇心理。因字典翻译产生的重要影响,译者由宗教场域成功进入汉学场域并确立了权威地位。

Using such concepts as habitus, capital and field in the theoretical framework of translation sociology, the paper describes and analyzes the causes, conditions and impact of Robert Morrison’s translation of A Dictionary of the Chinese Language. Influenced by his religious habitus, Morrison regarded dictionary translation as a critical path to understanding different culture and serving religious preach. With enough economic and cultural capital, he managed to impart Chinese native language and culture-loaded information via dictionary translation, satisfying western countries’ curiosity about the eastern world for colonial and trade expansion. For the great impact of the translation, the translator entered the field of sinology from religious field, hence an authoritative position.