语言是文化的鸿沟与桥梁

Language as a Gap and Bridge to Culture

语言与文化群体具有互促互育关系,语言是文化群体内沟通关联的纽带和认同标记,且对外具有封闭性和排他性。对内认同、对外封闭排他的特点,使语言成为文化间的“沟壑”。“语言沟壑”有利于维护人类文化的多元性。但语言又具有沟通不同文化的“桥梁”作用,不同文化群体通过语言相互交流,文化也随之外溢而益外,成为人世间的共同财富;不同文化群体也可在交流中相互理解,变“他者”为“友者”,甚至为“我者”。在超语时代、数字时代,全面认识语言的“沟桥二重性”很有意义。全世界有六七千种语言,许多语言还有地方方言、社会方言和用于特殊人群的手语盲文等。语言、方言等使人世间布满了文化沟壑,而要超越沟壑,构建无障碍社会,必须培养公民的“超语”能力,其中包括翻译能力。语言智能为发挥语言的桥梁作用提供了新可能,人机协同是自动翻译发展的必由之路。语言机器人是构建无障碍社会的“新桥梁”,但也需要警惕,它也可能成为某些人、某些人群交往的“新沟壑”。

Language and culture are interacted.Language ties people from the same culture together and is a mark for group identification.In addition,language impedes and excludes people from other cultural groups.The inward identity and outward exclusiveness of languages bring"gap"among cultures.The existence of"language gap"helps to preserve the plurality of human cultures.However,as a"bridge",language facilitates cross-cultural communication where cultures spread and benefit the other,becoming a fortune for all;and finally mutual understanding is reached,as a result of which the"Other"is turned into“Friends"”and then into the"We",In the translanguaging and digital age,it is vital to make people aware of"the duality of the gap and bridge of language".There are six or seven thousand languages in the world.Besides there're many language varieties,such as regional or social dialects,sign language and braille for special groups.Cultural barriers are found everywhere,so it is necessary to promote"translanguaging"ability,including translation ability,to build an accessible community for all.Language intelligence makes it possible for language to bridge cultural gaps and human-machine collaboration is the way to go for automatic translation.Language robot is also a bridge for an accessible community;however,it may also become a"new gap"for some people and some groups.