《道德经》“无为”英译及对翻译教学的启示

English Translation of“Wuwei”in Tao Te Ching and its Implication for Translation Pedagogry

在《道德经》八十一章中,“无为”一词在十个章节,共出现十二次。作为蕴含文化底蕴的核心哲学术语词,“无为”从古汉语译为现代汉语再译成外文,在这个漫长又跨文化之旅中,理解颇具争议。本文拟从古及今还原老子“无为”概念的本意,并结合不同译本中“无为”的翻译,探究较符合《道德经》本意的翻译方式,以助于中外读者理解“无为”一词深奥的哲学思想。给翻译教学带来启示的同时更有助于中外读者理解其中深奥的哲学思想,促进中国传统文化在世界范围的良性传播,增强中国文化软实力。

In the eighty-one chapters of Tao Te Ching,the word“Wuwei”appears twelve times in ten chapters.As a core philosophical term with cultural connotations,“Wuwei”has been translated from ancient Chinese to modern Chinese and then into foreign languages.In this long and cross-cultural journey,the understanding of“Wuwei”is quite controversial.This paper aims to restore the original meaning of Laozi’s concept of“Wuwei”from ancient and modern times,and explore the translation method that is more in line with the original meaning of Tao Te Ching by combining the translation of“Wuwei”in different translations,so as to help Chinese and foreign readers understand the profound philosophical thoughts of“Wuwei”.While bringing enlightenment to translation teaching,it also helps Chinese and foreign readers to understand the profound philosophical thoughts in it,promotes the benign spread of Chinese traditional culture in the world,and enhances the soft power of Chinese culture.