“纯语言”在说什么?——以本雅明1916年语言学笔记与波德莱尔译序为主的讨论

What Is“die reine Sprache”about:A Discussion on Walter Benjamin's Early Philosophy of Language

以“纯语言”(die reine Sprache)为核心的早期语言哲学被视为本雅明思想的源动力,它不仅与本氏哲学图景中的诸多母题相关,也是其充满“迷路艺术”(Irrkünste)意象写作的哲学底色。然而纵观国内关于本雅明的学术讨论,该阶段或被置于边缘的位置,或屈尊为某种理论佐料,并未展现它真正的理论潜能与精神内涵。本文以本雅明早期语言哲学关键词“纯语言”为考察对象,对国内外研究现状进行文献梳理,并把1916年语言学笔记和波德莱尔诗歌译序作为主要阐释文本深入讨论,从而进一步审视本雅明早期语言哲学的具体内涵与学理意义。

Walter Benjamin's philosophy of language centering on“pure language”(die reine Sprache)is considered as the primary motive power of all his further theories.It is not only related to many themes in Benjamin's philosophical landscape,but also shows a writing style,the philosophical background of which is known as“Irrkünste”.However,in the scholarly discussions on Walter Benjamin in China,this critical stage was either marginalized or reduced to be the adjuvant of some grand theories,overshadowing its theoretical potential and connotation.This article analyzes the key term of Benjamin's early philosophy of language,“pure language”,specifically by looking at the explanatory essay in 1916(“ber Spracheüberhaupt undüber die Sprache des Menschen”)and“The Task of Translator”(Die Aufgabe des bersetzers),in order to further examine the connotation and significance of his philosophy of language.