阐释学视角下《道德经》中“无为”的翻译影响因素分析

The Translation Factors of Wuwei in Tao Te Ching from the Perspective of Hermeneutics

“无为”是《道德经》中的重要概念,不同的译者有不同的理解,因而出现了多种译本。翻译本身就是一种诠释,通过对比分析理雅各和布莱克尼对“无为”的不同翻译发现,理雅各的前理解深受利玛窦等传教士的影响,布莱克尼的前理解受神秘主义的影响;理雅各是在西方文化主导世界的情况下完成翻译工作的,而布莱克尼肩负着“美国梦”和“美国新教文化”的使命;两位译者个人经历不同,其视域与原作者视域的部分融合,使翻译打上了译者的烙印,从而使原作的意义出现了延异。可以说,正是因为有了这些不同视角的解读,我们的传统文化才能不断发扬光大,从而永葆生机。

The paper examines the meaning of wuwei in Tao Te Ching and conducts a contrastive study of the different translations of wuwei in James Legge’s and R. B. Blakney’s versions from the perspective of hermeneutics. The study demonstrates that there are many factors that influence the translation of wuwei, including cultural tradition, specific times and the translator’s personal values. It should be pointed out that it’s quite acceptable to have different understandings and translations of classic works, and it is because of these different interpretations that our traditional culture can maintain its vitality.