从“等值”概念的产生看中西文化的差异

CULTURAL DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE EAST AND WEST AS VIEWED FROM THE ORIGINATION OF "EQUIVALENCE"

本文从翻译等值在西方产生这一现象着眼,由小窥大,追问出现这一现象的原因,折射中西哲学、美学、文化传统以及思维方式等方面的差异:从哲学上讲,西方哲学注重本体终极在场的追问,而中国哲学没有;从美学上讲,西方美学重视语言对美的本质的清晰表达,而中国美学强调言与意之间的矛盾,强调神会与心悟;从文化传统上讲,西方文化重视科学,而中国文化传统重视人文体悟;从思维方式上看,西方思维重分析、精确,而中国思维重整体把握和模糊认识。这一切说明,翻译等值的概念在西方而不在中国提出是种种差异使然。

Starting from the fact that the concept of 'equivalence' was originated in the West, this paper investigates into this phenomenon and reveals the differences between the East and West in philosophy, aesthetics, cultural heritage and way of thinking. In terms of philosophy, the West emphasize the final inquiry into being which the East largely ignore; as regards aesthetics, the West highlight the ability of language to express the essence of beauty while the East stress on the contradiction between speech and meaning; in regard to cultural heritage, the West boast of its scientific heritage while the East emphasize the vital role that Man plays in perception; as the ways of thinking are concerned, however, the analytical way of thinking of the West emphasizes scientific analysis and precision while that of the East emphasizes entirety and vagueness. As a result from all these differences the concept of 'equivalence' is formulated in the West rather than in China.