《论语》“君子周而不比,小人比而不周”翻译探析——从中国训诂学视角

A Discussion on Translations of “Jun Zi Zhou Er Bu Bi, Xiao Ren Bi Er Bu Zhou” in The Analects—From Chinese Exegetics Perspective

典籍英译一般涉及语内翻译和语际翻译两个过程。训诂是解经的工具,为典籍英译提供意义根据。本文参考《论语》相关注疏,采用形训及观境为训的中国训诂方法,对“君子周而不比,小人比而不周”进行解读,梳理出“周”、“比”的各个意义层面,并在此基础之上,采用义素分析法,对具有代表性的八个《论语》英译本进行对比分析。研究表明,尽管个别译文存在着褒贬色彩不明或基督教色彩较重等问题,但多数译文都能与“周”、“比”的一个或几个意义层面相对应,然而在传递整句所指向的“君子”、“小人”择友方式的差异,各译本的翻译效果却有所不同。

English translation of classics generally involves two processes: intralingual translation and interlingual translation. Exegetical interpretation is a tool of exegetical interpretation, which provides meaning basis for the English translation of classics. By referring to The Analects, the paper applies xingxun and guanjingweixun of Chinese exegetics to interpret “jun zi zhou er bu bi, xiao ren bi er bu zhou”, and sorts the various levels of meaning of “zhou” (周) and “bi” (比). On this basis, the method of componential analysis is used to make a comparative analysis of the eight representative English translations of The Analects. Research shows that although there are some problems with diction, such as the ambiguity in derogatory and commendatory meanings and the improper use of the words with a Christianity tinge, most translations can correspond to one or more levels of meaning of “zhou” and “bi”. However, in conveying the difference in the way of choosing friends of “junzi” (君子) and “xiaoren” (小人) pointed out by the whole sentence, the translation effect of each translation version is different.