从适应性理论看翻译研究的语用取向

Translation Study in the Framework of Verschueren's Linguistic Adaptation Theory

维索尔伦提出的语用综观论和适应性理论认为,使用语言即是在不同意识程度下为实现交际目的而连续做出选择的过程,并以此为视角对语用学研究进行了全面系统的阐释。以该理论观点审视语言中的翻译现象及其本质,可以认为翻译活动是一种类似但更加复杂的不断选择过程,从材料的选择到翻译策略手段的确定,无不渗透着社会、文化、认知、语言等因素的互动选择机制。语用适应论不仅可将翻译理论纳入一个连贯统一的框架,而且其在动态适应、意识程度等方面的探讨,也为拓宽翻译研究的发展空间带来了诸多有益的启示。

In his Understanding Pragmatics , Verschueren proposes a pragmatic perspective on language use and assumes language use as a continuous making of linguistic choices with different degrees of salience for the purpose of adaptation. On the basis of this approach, the paper ventures to apply it to the study of translation activity and theory, in the hope of establishing a coherent unified framework for translation studies. The author holds that translation process, as a special communication involving two languages, is essentially a continuous making of choices ranging from selection of source text to particular techniques employed for a certain purpose the translator intends to accomplish. Besides, such key notions as salience help to broaden the field of translation studies.