時間:2022-11-13 23:28:57
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語言是文化的載體,同時又是文化的重要組成部分。而語詞又是語言中最活躍的因素,最敏感地反映了生活和社會思想的變化,是語言中最能反映文化特征的部分。所謂語詞就是指詞和詞組,詞組的范圍包括各種固定說法、習慣用語和習俗語,語詞都有:音義的理由和來源,語詞的產生、變異和都包含著豐富、復雜的文化信息,如地理環境、社會、、風俗民情、、審美取向、價值觀念及思維方式等等,其中最能體現濃厚的民族色彩和鮮明:的文化個性,體現不同民族,不同歷史文化的特點,使不同民族的語言呈現出不同的特性。語詞的翻譯要求譯者在廣泛地、準確地了解他國文化中的觀念、信仰、習俗、價值標準等方面的同時,忠實傳達本國文化的價值與靈魂,才能真正做到不同文化間的交流論文。
二、文化語境——語詞翻譯的重要因素
美國學者D.A.Swinnty的實驗表明,語境是影響詞一匯提取的主要因素,忽略了語詞詞義提取時意義與語境的結合,不能達到對句子的充分理解,就不能對語詞在語境中的意義正確翻譯。
語言界語境最早始于倫敦功能學派創始人馬林諾夫斯基對語境的定義,他認為語境可分為情景語境和文化語境。情景語境是指語言行為發出時周圍情況,事情的性質,參與者的關系、地點、方式等。文化語境是指任何一個語言使用所屬的某個特定的言語社團,以及每個言語社團長期形成的歷史、文化、風俗、事情、習俗、價值標準和思維方式等。由于不同民族所處的地理、人文歷史和文化環境不同,各民族的人們對外部世界反映產生的印象和概念也會產生差異,所以不同民族文化背景使人們對事物會產生不同的認知概念,因而產生了包含不同文化意義的語詞。隨著語言的發展,社會文化因素不斷滲透到語詞選擇和定型的各個環節,語詞的特定音義是一個民族各文化因素的折射和呈現,能夠細致、全面地體現民族文化的特性。因此,語詞的翻譯依賴著它本身所存在的語言文化環境,文化語境包含的諸多因素,如地理環境、社會歷史、政治經濟、風俗民情、、審美取向、價值觀念及思維方式等等直接影響著語詞的翻譯。
三、文化語境與語詞翻譯
翻譯學的目的論認為,翻譯是人類行為研究的范疇,人類的交際受語言環境的制約,而語言環境又根植于文化習慣,因此翻譯必然受到譯出文化和譯入文化的影響。可見,不同的文化語境決定著語詞翻譯中詞義的提取,也體現著譯者對不同文化的判斷和理解。本文將探討文化語境中諸多因素對語詞翻譯的影響,以及相應的翻譯。
1.地理環境差異與語詞翻譯。地理文化是指所處的地理環境而形成的文化。由于各民族生活空間不同,因而自然環境各方面的差異影響不同民族對同一事物或現象的看法各有不同。特定的地理文化賦予了語詞特定的意義。
2.社會歷史差異與語詞翻譯。歷史文化是特定歷史發展進程和社會遺產的沉淀所形成的文化,各民族的歷史發展不同,因而各自都有含有特定的人物和事件的語詞來體現本民族鮮明的歷史文化色彩。例如,中“tomeetone’sWaterloo''''’(遭遇滑鐵盧)是源于十九世紀拿破侖在比利時小城滑鐵盧慘敗一事,漢語中“敗走麥城”是指古時三國的蜀國名將關羽被打敗退兵麥城一事,兩個語詞分別來源于不同的歷史事件,但喻義相同,都是指慘遭失敗。因此這類語詞的翻譯需要了解各民族歷史文化才能使譯文更具文化個性。
3、習俗人情差異與語詞翻譯。語言來源于生活,生活習俗與人情世故在一定程度上制約著語言的表達系統。例如:數詞“八”在漢語中是現今最受人們喜愛的數額——因為其發音與“發”諧音,迎合人們發財致富的心理,而英語中“eight''''’則沒有這種意義。
4.差異。對人們的生活有著重要的,特定的產生了語詞的特定含義。中西方的不同,也影響著英漢語詞的翻譯。在西方,以基督教為主的宗教文化深刻影響著人們的語言表達,基督教產生時,歐洲大陸處于四分五裂的狀態,世俗的王權只有超越一切世俗力量之上的上帝才能收服人們的“野性”,于是基督教應運而生,人們的語言也深深的打上了民族宗教色彩的烙印。如:“Manproposes.Goddisposes''''’(由人提議,上帝決斷)“Godhelpsthosewhohelpsthemselves''''’(天佑自救者)。在以佛教為主導的傳統宗教文化中,“老天爺”成了佛教徒心目中的天神。許多語詞來源于佛教、道教。如“三生有幸”中的“三生”源于佛教,指前生、今生、來生,該詞語用來形容機遇非常難得,可見宗教文化是構成英漢語言各自特色的重要方面。了解了宗教文化的差異,就能更準確地表達語詞的文化意義。
5.神話傳說與經典著作的差異。不同民族的神話傳說與經典作品中產生了許許多多的習語與典故,反映了民族風味、世態,使各民族的語言充滿了情趣與活力,具有獨特的表現力。如中:“Thinkwiththewise,buttalkwiththevulgar''''’(與智者同思,與俗子同語)出自古希臘格言:“swansong''''’是根據西方傳說swan(天鵝)臨死時發出美妙的歌聲,用來比喻“詩人、家等的最后的作品”。又如“Sourgrapes''''’(酸葡萄)出自《伊索寓言》,比喻“可要可不及的東西”,漢語中有“萬事俱行,只欠東風”、“逼上梁山”、“葉公好龍”等,以上例子說明在民族各自豐富的文化遺產中產生的語詞包含著豐富的民族文化意味,構成了各民族語言表達方式的鮮明獨特性,是其他語言文化所不能替代的。在翻譯過程中應尊重各民族文化詞語的特點與個性,保留語言存在和表現的形式。
關鍵詞:文化;翻譯;異化;歸化
1文化和翻譯
1.1文化和翻譯的關系
如今,翻譯和文化之間的聯系越來越緊密。我們在這里提到的文化是指廣義上的文化,不是指如城市、組織,學校等實體,而是指如思想、習俗、家庭構成,語言等非實物的東西。簡單說來,文化就是指一個社會的整個存在的方式,人們的生活行為方式。
正是由于翻譯涉及到兩種文化兩種語言之間的轉換,自然而然文化和語言二者的關系就出現了。語言和文化是不可分割的,沒有語言,文化就無法存在和發展;而語言只有在反映某種文化時才具備自身的意義。因為翻譯首先要處理的就是文字,而文字只有在與文化相聯系的時候才被賦予真正的意義,這就要求譯者在處理文字問題的時候要深層次的理解文化內涵。
由于人類社會要通過翻譯來進行文化交流,在此基礎上,我們應該重視語言中的文化因素,尤其是在面對翻譯當中的一些特殊問題的時候,通過在翻譯理論的研究當中廣泛全面、系統、具體的對比區別其相同點和不同點,識別共通之處,辨別特殊性。翻譯不是簡單的將語言的傳統意義進行轉換,而是最大限度的將原著中所有的文化韻味輸送出去,傳達各種文化信號,重現不同國家中根深蒂固的文化背景。
1.2翻譯的目的
大致說來,翻譯的目的就是消除或減少原著和譯本之間的差別。的確,在翻譯中會遇到一些巧合,就是相同的語言規則適用于兩種不同的語言體系,但相對而言,語言形成完全相同的這種情況并不多見。
2異化與歸化
2.1定義和要求
LaurenceVenuti將涉及文化差異的不同的翻譯處理方式劃為兩類:異化和歸化。異化是以源語言的文化為中心(SLculture-oriented),而歸化則以目標語言的文化為中心(TLculture-oriented)。
這兩種譯法的雙方都有各自的倡導者和觀點。既然我們都知道語言與文化是緊密聯系的,因此當我們進行翻譯時,文化因素應該跟語言本身受到同等重視。而如何才能使雙方和諧統一是我們考慮的首要問題。
2.2論點
在何時何地采用異化還是歸化是個問題。在英語和漢語中就有很多的文化差異。在各自的語言中存在大量發源于它們各自的民族的獨特文化的表達方式,如典故、宗教用語、文化用詞、習語和新詞匯等,它們都與源語言國文化有著緊密的聯系。考慮到這一點,以下列舉出一些關于異化和歸化這兩種翻譯方式的例子和解決方法。
3例子和方法
3.1典故
對于一些反映先進文化和被經常用到的的典故,我們可以采用異化的翻譯方式以此了解和熟悉其獨特文化。
很多與人物事件有關的典故都來自于英國文學這座寶庫,特別是莎士比亞的作品中。莎士比亞戲劇當中的很多角色都代表著跟他們有著相同特點或性格特征的人。所以如果說一個人是“羅密歐”就意味著這個人年輕英俊,熱情激昂,神采奕奕,并且很有女人緣。如果稱一個人為“豬八戒”的話就表示他跟《西游記》中那頭粗魯、愛尋歡作樂、行為怪異但又有些可愛的豬有些相似之處。還有很多來自于莎士比亞戲劇和后英美文學的角色和名字成為了家喻戶曉的詞,如“夏洛克”、“葛朗臺”等等。
Whokeepscompanywiththewolf,willlearntohowl.——近狼者會嗷
Toweepcrocodile''''stear——流鱷魚眼淚
3.2宗教用語
宗教也是文化傳播的一個途徑。它是一個民族的信仰問題,絕不可濫用和誤用。因此要遵從他們的信仰,異化這種方式在宗教用語的翻譯中起到了顯著的作用。在講英語的國家中,基督教占主要地位,因此不難發現很多對人物、事件的引用是源于基督教的圣書——《圣經》:
Amessiah————-救世主彌塞爾
在中國,佛教和道教也是長期流傳的文化的來源:
臨時抱佛腳——toembraceBuddha''''sfeetinone''''shourofneed————-seekhelpattheleastmoment.
對歸化處理不當會造成沖突和目標語言的讀者對文化的錯誤理解,例如:
“TherewassomerealfalsitywhentheycametotreattheGoddessofMercyasafashionplateofthecourttoday.”
譯法一:中國人漸漸把慈悲女神描繪成穿著時髦的宮廷貴婦形象,這可嚴重走樣了。
譯法二:中國人漸漸把大慈大悲觀世音菩薩描繪成穿著時髦的宮廷貴婦形象,這可嚴重走樣了。
佛教是在中國流傳最廣,影響最深遠的宗教,但是譯法一很難讓人能理解“慈悲女神”就是他們所熟知的“觀音菩薩”,因為佛教中的人物已經被換成了希臘神話和羅馬神話中的人物。
3.3文化用詞
在各種文化中都有一些獨特的詞語或短語。也就是說,這個詞具有文化特征并且能把這種文化特征帶到某個社會文化的群體當中去。當它被用于跨文化交流時,就稱之為獨特文化詞或文化用詞。
因為源語言和目標語言之間無法完全等同,我們最好采用異化的翻譯方式來履行翻譯的使命。
舉例如下:關于物質文化,西方國家有我們以前從未聽說的sandwich和hotdog,譯者將它們介紹給我們中國人就稱之為“三明治”和“熱狗”。而中國的餃子和豆腐被引進國外就稱之為jiaozi和tofu.還如,中國有“旗袍”cheong-sam;英國有swallowtail“燕尾服”;美國有jacket“夾克”。
關于社會文化,外國人都知道“中國功夫”Chinesekongfu.在英語中,有他們的church“教堂”andmissionary“傳教士”;而在漢語中有“道教”Taoism和“陰陽”yinyang。
3.4習語
習語是指人們長期以來習用的、形式簡潔而意思精辟的、定型的詞組或短語。在英漢翻譯當中有兩類習語。一類是在一個相似的文化背景下漸漸形成的,通常情況下將它們歸化雙方都不會引起文化誤解,如:
Selfdo,selfhave——自作自受
雨后春筍——springuplikemushroomsafteravernal
而有些習語用異化的方式更為恰當,如:
Armedtotheteeth——武裝到牙齒
3.5新詞匯
新詞是指隨著一個社會中最近或當時發生的事件,出現的人物,發明的產品等的出現而產生的新的說法。
在英語當中有的新詞匯在中文中沒有對等物,我們就要再充分理解原生詞這個首要條件下根據中文的規則想辦法創造出與他們相對應的詞語。這種情況就要采取歸化的翻譯方法:
back-to-back——雙往返機票
thumbtribe——手機一族
還有一些新生詞匯由于解釋起來過于復雜,不容易采用歸化的翻譯方式就最好異化這些詞:
bungiejumping——蹦極跳
Namitechnique——納米技術
參考文獻
[1]Eugene,Nida.Language,CultureandTranslation[J].外國語,1993,(3).
[2]郭建中.翻譯中的文化因素:歸化與異化[J].外國語,1998,(2).
[3]李慶生,郭著章.英漢互譯使實用教程[M].武漢:武漢大學出版社,1996.
摘要:語詞是語言中最活躍的因素,最敏感地反映了社會生活和社會思想的變化,是語言中最能反映文化特征的部分,具有濃厚的民族色彩和鮮明的文化個性。因此,一方面,譯者應盡可能忠實地反映原文的文化背景和文化色彩,再現原文的異域情調,另一方面又要充分考慮目的語讀者的接受程度,恰當地“歸化”,以更好地譯出原意。
一、引言
語言是文化的載體,同時又是文化的重要組成部分。而語詞又是語言中最活躍的因素,最敏感地反映了社會生活和社會思想的變化,是語言中最能反映文化特征的部分。所謂語詞就是指詞和詞組,詞組的范圍包括各種固定說法、習慣用語和習俗語。每一種語言都同特定民族的歷史有著特殊的“血緣”關系,而語詞就產生于特殊的歷史、地理和人文環境之中,是一個民族的歷史傳統、社會風俗、認知特點和審美習慣等文化因素的折射和呈現。所以,語詞承載著各民族的文化信息,濃縮了各民族的文化景觀,反映出各民族的人文心態,代表著不同語言的文化背景,具有鮮明、獨特的民族特點。英國語言學家萊昂斯•約翰精辟地指出“特定的社會的語言是這個社會文化的組成部分,每一種語言在詞語上的差異都會反映使用這種語言的社會事物、習俗以及各種活動在文化方面的重要特征”。因此,語詞的翻譯要求譯者在廣泛地、準確地了解他國文化中的觀念、信仰、習俗、價值標準等方面的同時,忠實傳達本國文化的價值與靈魂,真正做到跨文化交流。
二、文化語境———影響語詞翻譯的重要因素
文化語境屬于非語言語境的范疇,這一概念最早由Mali-nowski(1923)提出,它是研究語言使用和功能的語用學研究的范疇之一,是指某一言語社團特定的社會規范和習俗,它主要分為物質文化和精神文化。近年來,隨著語用學研究的不斷深入和發展,文化語境的范圍進一步拓寬。Samovara1.(1998)認為文化語境包括知識的貯存、經歷、價值、行為、態度、、時間概念、空間關系、學科領域等諸多方面。ClaireKramsch(1998)進一步解釋了文化語境這一概念。認為部落經濟、社會組織、家庭模式、繁殖習俗、季節循環、時間和空間概念都是文化語境的主要要素。一方面,超地域的文化共同性相對保證了譯文讀者從本族文化角度出發也能從譯文中得到與原文讀者大致相同的感受。另一方面,因為各族文化的個性,要在異質中尋求對策并不是件輕松的事,不同的文化觀念會形成局部的交叉碰撞和沖突。對于外來文化,人們最易于理解和接受的是外來文化的表層結構,即“硬文化”部分。
用一種語言文化把另一種文化的文本再現出來,其將不可避免地反映出兩種語言、文化的特征。翻譯的作用在于將源語言文化中的文本移植到另一種目的語言文化中去。因此,文化語境在翻譯中起到了相當大的作用,文化環境中諸多因素對語詞翻譯產生深刻的影響。
1.地理環境差異與語詞翻譯地理文化是指所處的地理環境而形成的文化。由于各民族生活空間不同,因而自然環境各方面的差異影響不同民族對同一事物或現象的看法各有不同。特定的地理文化賦予了語詞特定的意義。如漢族習語“有眼不識泰山”泰山位于我國山東省,我國古人以泰山來比喻敬仰的人或重大有價值的事物。英語中也有此類習語。如:AllroadsleadtoRome.(條條道路通羅馬)。
2.社會歷史差異與語詞翻譯歷史文化是特定歷史發展進程和社會遺產的沉淀所形成的文化,各民族的歷史發展不同,因而各自都有含有特定的人物和事件的語詞來體現本民族鮮明的歷史文化色彩。例如,英語中“tomeetone’sWaterloo”(遭遇滑鐵盧)是源于十九世紀拿破侖在比利時小城滑鐵盧慘敗一事;漢語中有“敗走麥城”,是指古時三國的蜀國名將關羽被打敗退兵麥城一事,兩個語詞分別來源于不同的歷史事件,但喻義相同,都是指慘遭失敗。因此這類語詞的翻譯需要了解各民族歷史文化才能使譯文更具文化個性。
3.習俗人情差異與語詞翻譯語言來源于生活,生活習俗與人情世故在一定程度上制約著語言的表達系統。例如:數詞“八”在漢語中是現今最受人們喜愛的數額———因為其發音與“發”諧音,迎合人們發財致富的心理,而英語中“eight”則沒有這種意義。
4.差異對人們的生活有著重要的影響,特定的產生了語詞的特定含義。中西方的不同,也影響著英漢語詞的翻譯。在西方,以基督教為主的宗教文化深刻影響著人們的語言表達。基督教產生時,歐洲大陸處于四分五裂的狀態,世俗的王權只有超越一切世俗力量之上的上帝才能收服人們的“野性”,于是基督教應運而生,人們的語言也深深地打上了民族宗教色彩的烙印。如:Manproposes,Goddisposes.(謀事在人,成事在天。);Godhelpsthosewhohelpthemselves.(天佑自救者)。而在以佛教為主導的中國傳統宗教文化中,“老天爺”成了天神。
5.神話傳說與經典著作的差異不同民族的神話傳說與經典作品中產生了許許多多的習語與典故,反映了民族風味、社會世態,使各民族的語言充滿了情趣與活力,具有獨特的表現力。如英語中:“Thinkwiththewise,buttalkwiththevulgar.”(與智者同思,與俗子同語)出自古希臘格言:“swansong”是根據西方傳說swan(天鵝)臨死時發出美妙的歌聲,用來比喻“詩人、音樂家等的最后的作品”。又如“SoOurgrapes”(酸葡萄)出自《伊索寓言》,比喻“可要可不及的東西”,漢語中有“萬事俱行,只欠東風”、“逼上梁山”、“葉公好龍”等,以上例子說明在民族各自豐富的文化遺產中產生的語詞包含著豐富的民族文化意味,構成了各民族語言表達方式的鮮明獨特性,是其他語言文化所不能替代的。在翻譯過程中應尊重各民族文化詞語的特點與個性,保留語言存在和表現的形式。
6.價值觀與審美意識的差異由于文化的差異導致人們的價值觀及審美意識的不同,導致人們對同一事物有著不同的甚至截然相反的觀點和看法。在價值觀念方面體現在個體與集體的觀念不同,個人價值至上是西方文化的特點,英語中有不少表現語詞的個人進取個人力量、個人意志,如:Wherethereisawill,thereisaway.(有志者,事竟成);Everymanisthearchitectsofhisownfor-tune.”(自然的幸福靠自己);Youhavetoblowyourownhorn.(應吹自己的號角)。與西方“海洋民族”相對的中國“農耕民族”則崇尚社團價值至上,無我精神。如:“單絲不成線,獨木不成林”、“大公無私”。群體取向使中國人性格內向、含蓄,不愿引人注目,因而產生了“樹大招風,人大惹議”、“人怕出名豬怕壯”等習語。在審美取向方面,中國傳統喜慶偏向紅色裝飾,而西方則多為白色;漢語中的紅茶,英譯為“blacktea”。以上例子表明,英漢文化在價值觀和審美觀方面的差異影響語詞的翻譯。英漢民族存在的文化差異決定了語詞表達形式及詞義的選擇,在翻譯過程中,譯者應充分考慮原語詞所包含的民族文化與語言個性,充分理解語詞所蘊含的獨特的文化意味,盡可能結合原文的文化背景,保持原文的語言風格、語言形式及藝術特色。
三、總結
將一種語言譯為不同文化的另一種語言并非容易的事,而將特定文化語境中的語詞翻譯成同樣體現文化特色的語詞就更是難上加難,有時難免出現引起讀者誤解和曲解的翻譯。這就要求譯者應特別謹慎,仔細分析隱含在語詞背后的容易引起語義沖突的文化因素,根據具體語篇,在不違背原文語言的表達基礎上再現原文語詞的文化意蘊,達到忠實原文的目的,真正實現兩種文化的溝通與移植。因此,譯者應該采取審慎的態度,不能一概而論,而要根據具體的情況區別對待,對能移植過來的,盡可能保存其語言表現形式,否則,就得采取其他相應的變通辦法,以傳遞其意義、意味。只有這樣,才能既忠實地再現原文的文化意蘊,又不至于違背譯入語的表達習慣和譯入語的文化產生沖突。
參考文獻:
[1]Bell,andTranslating:TheoryandPrac-tice[M].LondonandNewYork:Longman,1991.
[2]王東風.文化缺省與翻譯中的連貫重構[J].外國語,1997,(6).
[3]包惠南.文化語境與語言翻譯[M].北京:中國對外翻譯出版公司,2001.
[4]關孜慧.文化語境與翻譯[J].外語與外語教學,2003,(3).
1.翻譯能力的培養可以促進大學生整體學習能力良好的翻譯能力可以提高學生的英語閱讀能力。由于慣性思維的限制,學生在英語閱讀、聽力的學習過程中遇到長句或者比較難理解的句子時,常習慣于將句子譯成漢語,具有較好的翻譯能力,可以有效地解決這一問題。當然良好的翻譯能力也可以提高學生的口語及書面表達能力。許多學生在開口或落筆前常用漢語構思,后用英語表達,而良好的翻譯能力能夠讓學生用英語準確表達母語,進而提升口語及寫作水平。
2.翻譯能力的培養可以改進大學生實際應用能力隨著全球化發展趨勢的加強,國與國之間的交際越來越多,英語作為一種國際性語言,應用廣泛。在科研方面,各大網站中的資料、數據以及一些重要的科學論文多數是用英語完成的;在工作方面,外企的工作語言多是英語;在生活方面,越來越多的外國人進入中國,因此提高大學生的英語實際應用能力就顯得尤為重要了。大學生想瀏覽國外網站,熟悉外國文化,與外國朋友溝通,就需要加強跨文化翻譯能力,提高自身的跨文化交際能力。筆者認為,跨文化交際能力培養的重點應該放在大學英語的翻譯教學中,因為翻譯能力是聽說讀寫能力所不能替代的。翻譯本身就是一種跨文化交際活動,它不單是語際間的轉換,更是一種跨文化轉換。翻譯教學以及學習中的很多情況表明對原文理解的主要障礙并不是由語言本身造成的,而是由于對英美等國家的文化背景知識了解不夠造成的。
3.翻譯能力的培養可以提高學生英語考試成績2013年以來,隨著大學英語四、六級考試改革的推進,翻譯考察比重的上升也說明了國家對翻譯能力的培養的重視程度。2013年大學英語四級考試中,新題型中翻譯題的分值比重由原來的5%提高至15%,而且考察的方式也發生很大的變化,由原來的詞組、短語等的考察轉變成段落翻譯;同時擴大了考察的范圍,內容涉及到中國的歷史、文化、經濟和社會發展等話題。以往單句翻譯時,考查的重點是語法現象,而現在的段落翻譯,考查的則是學生跨文化翻譯能力。這些變化從側面體現出翻譯教學在大學英語教學中的重要地位,因此大學英語教學中應該加大跨文化翻譯教學力度。
二、大學英語翻譯教學的現狀
1.大學英語翻譯課缺乏整體規劃限于授課時數的限制,加之各高校對跨文化翻譯缺乏重視,在安排大學英語的整體教學規劃中缺乏對翻譯課的安排。主要體現在大學英語課沒制定專門的翻譯授課計劃,沒有安排固定的翻譯課時,沒有統一的翻譯教學材料,缺少系統的翻譯教案。大學英語翻譯教學主要精力放在了課文翻譯及為數不多的課后翻譯習題上。雖然有些教師在課上可能提出某些翻譯理論、翻譯方法,但隨意性太強,缺乏整體規劃。
2.高校對大學英語翻譯教學重視不夠目前,各大高校的教學安排中,大學英語翻譯教學在整個英語教學中所占比重較小。大學英語教學的主干課程一直是綜合英語課程,主要為了提高學生閱讀能力。近幾年,隨著考試指揮棒的變化,聽說課也得到了更多的重視。很多高校都配備了先進的語音室、多媒體教室,設置英語角,合理安排學時訓練學生聽說能力,在考試中設立單獨口語考試。但是大學英語翻譯課程卻甚少受到重視,沒有專門的翻譯訓練,沒有單獨的翻譯考試,學生翻譯水平的高低對學生英語成績影響不大。隨著社會全球化的發展,英語作為一種交際工具其重要性毋庸置疑。但是大學英語翻譯教學的現狀卻使得翻譯教學無法跟上社會發展的腳步,學生的翻譯能力得不到培養,也影響學生跨文化交際能力的提高。
三、大學英語教學中翻譯能力培養的策略
德國功能主義翻譯目的理論中指出,翻譯目的、文本功能和譯入語的文化環境都是功能主義在翻譯文本時要重視的要素,而這些要素也是英語翻譯教學中需要考慮的問題。以翻譯目的論為指導,在教學過程中講解增補、刪減、直譯、改譯、解釋等翻譯方法,有助于學生更好地掌握翻譯技巧,提高翻譯能力。結合目前大學英語教學現狀,筆者認為可以采用以下幾種辦法。
1.調整教學大綱,完善英語教學體系提高學生翻譯能力,首先要提高高校對大學英語翻譯教學的重視程度,制定出有效合理的大學英語教學指導方針,提高翻譯教學在大學英語教學中的地位。教學大綱指明了英語教學的方向,它的指導作用是不可忽視的。因此,要在科學調研、論證及教研的前提下調整不合時宜的教學大綱,制定出符合時代要求的教學方案,安排合理的授課時數,切實提高學生的跨文化翻譯能力。
2.改變教學內容,加強跨文化翻譯培養目前,大學英語課程教學中選用的教材多是綜合教程,主要培養學生的閱讀能力,其中沒有涉及或者是很少涉及到翻譯能力訓練,僅在課后習題中有句子翻譯的練習。所以,要提高學生的跨文化翻譯能力水平,就必須在大學英語教學的內容上下功夫,根據課時有步驟、有計劃地加入翻譯理論、翻譯技巧、西方文化、跨文化交際等內容,并根據學生的學習狀況及社會需求集體教研,適時調整翻譯教學的內容,達到提高學生跨文化翻譯水平的目的。
3.運用多種手段,提高學生學習興趣在大學英語教學中,翻譯教學和學習是比較枯燥的,而且學習難度大,難點多,學生往往對翻譯缺乏興趣,這就需要英語教師在授課過程中采用多種教學手段來提升學生的學習興趣。在講授翻譯技巧和翻譯練習時,可以適當加入翻譯材料的文化背景知識,這樣不僅可以擴大學生的知識面,同時還能激發學生學習翻譯知識的興趣。多媒體教學也是提高學生翻譯學習興趣的一個重要手段,精心設計的多媒體課件可以提高學生的學習興趣,而設計豐富多彩的第二課堂,將學生分成小組,完成翻譯任務,也是學生喜歡的教學方法。
4.重視理論學習,提高翻譯技巧大學英語教學中幾乎沒有翻譯理論和翻譯技巧的教學內容,這很難滿足現代社會對學生英語翻譯能力的需求,所以增加翻譯理論和技巧的教學內容是必要的。適當的在英語翻譯教學中講授翻譯理論,讓學生對翻譯課程有初步的認識,從而讓翻譯理論來指導學生的翻譯學習,提高其翻譯能力。同時,應選擇適合非英語專業學生學習的跨文化交際理論,在課堂教學過程中適當介紹一些跨文化理論,如不確定因素減少理論、適應理論、文化構建主義理論、文化沖突理論。筆者認為,在大學英語教學中,可有機地把這些理論融入進去。
四、結語
(1)語匯的不足
源語詞匯所承載的文化信息在譯語中不存在,找不到對等的語匯。科技文本中經常會提到有關我國的傳統醫學,其中很多用語都是獨有的,無法在西方文化中找到對等的詞匯進行解釋。中醫中“刮痧”一詞就很典型,西方文化中沒有這個詞,并且西方人也不相信中藥與刮痧就可以治病,這就是“文化不對等”現象的典型體現。因此,只能以最大程度描述其治療過程與使用工具為基礎對其進行翻譯。而面對“五行(金、木、水、火、土)”的翻譯,也只能言不盡義地直譯為five elements (metal、wood、water、fire、earth)。此外,我國所特有的陰陽八卦以及屬相等方面,西方文化中也沒有對應的詞匯可以與之對等。“據說,曾經美聯社的一位編輯打電話給一位美籍華裔學者,請教中國‘羊年’的‘羊’該用sheep(綿羊)、goa(t山羊)、還是lamb(羔羊)?這位學識淵博的學者經過一番冥思苦想后,只能如實相告‘I’msorry。’。
(2)源語詞語與目的語詞語的不同意義
每個民族都具有自己獨特的文化,詞匯作為民族之間傳達信息與表達思想的工具,具有不同的民族性和強烈的時代性。譯文要符合目的語習慣,不能造成負面影響,因此在進行文化的廣告宣傳的時候,在廣告的內容涉及和廣告商標的設計之中,就應該充分考慮到文化的差異性,進行文化內涵的翻譯。
然而,我國也有不少因忽略文化差異而嚴重影響產品外銷的譯例。在中國文化中,龍是尊嚴的化身,是中華民族的象征。但在英文文化中,由于《圣經》中將與上帝作對的撒旦稱為the great dragon,在現代英語中,dragon常用來表達“兇暴之徒”的含義。所以,在進行翻譯相關的宣傳內容時,如果根據dragon的名詞直譯會對中國文化的傳播產生一些負面的影響,不利于外國人理解中國文化。在翻譯“以外貿企業為龍頭”時需要注意“龍頭”的翻譯,譯為“with foreign trade firms as the locomotive”,此處為了避免歧義巧妙地用火車頭代替了龍頭。再如“白翎”牌鋼筆,在出口時直譯為White Feather,沒有很好的銷量。滯銷的原因是英文中經常用to show the white feather 來表達“臨陣脫逃”的意思。同樣有例子舉出,有一男女內衣商標為“紫羅蘭”,竟然將其譯為“Pansy”。“Pansy”不僅有“三色紫羅蘭”的含義,也指“女性化的男子”。這樣商標的產品怎有好的銷路。不僅廣告宣傳過程會出現這樣的失誤,旅游景點的翻譯中也容易引起誤會。如有一個著名的景點——“清明上河園”,曾有人將其譯為Park with“Up-the-River-on-Chingming Festival”。仔細分析就發現這一翻譯會讓別人產生錯誤的理解,因為“up the river”是一個俚語,指“坐監獄”,而不是“上河”的意思。在美國硅谷地區也有自己獨特的文化,體現在依據日常表達——“What’s your space?”,其中“space”是指“謀生的手段”,而不能將其譯為“空間”、“宇宙”。再如,在祝酒詞中表達對蘇格蘭人民祝福時,如果將“為了中國和英國人民之間的友誼而干杯”譯為“I wish to propose a toast to the friendship between Chinese and English People”,會讓蘇格蘭人在情感上感覺不適應,而將“English”改為“British”就會避免誤會。
從上面的一些例子看來,我們可知出口商品的銷量與品牌推廣在一定程度上受到品牌名稱的制約,由此可見商標名稱翻譯的重要性。因此,在為出口商品設計廣告與翻譯商標時,要充分了解目的語國家的語言文化與文化背景,避免由于跨文化意識不強引起的語用失誤,特別是在源語中代表祝福的詞在目的語中卻恰恰相反。
二、總結——譯者的任務
1.地域文化不同導致的文化差異。地域文化指的是由所處地域、自然條件和地理環境所形成的文化,表現在不同民族對同一種現象或事物采用不同的言語形式來表達。[3]112-113中國是個地大物博,幅員遼闊的國家,人們常常用“揮金如土”形容人花錢慷慨或揮霍無度。而英國是一個四面環海的島國。水對于英國人來說是取之不盡,用之不竭的資源,所以他們用“spendmoneylikewater”來表示相同的意思。由于“土”對于他們來說是很珍貴的,若將“揮金如土”直譯為“spendmoneylikeearth”英國人可能難以理解,從而造成交際障礙。作為島國,英國在歷史的發展中積累了大量與“boat”,“water”,“sailing”,“fish”相關的習語,而我國是農耕民族,習語自然與土地及耕作工具相關,所以英漢翻譯時一定要根據各自的文化做出等值譯文。如:“neveroffertoteachfishtoswim”(不要班門弄斧),“abigfishinalittlepond”(山中無老虎,猴子稱霸王)。
2.習俗文化不同導致的文化差異。不同的民族在歷史發展進程中,形成了自己特有的文化規約和習俗。語言,作為文化的重要組成部分,也必然反映民族的風俗習慣。日常打招呼,中國人大多使用“吃了嗎?”“上哪呢?”等等,這體現了人與人之間的一種隨意感。可西方人會把這種打招呼的方式理解成為一種隱私干涉。在西方,日常打招呼他們會。單地說“Hello”,“Hi”,或按時間段問候,“Goodmorning!”“Goodafternoon!”“Goodevening!”。而英國人見面也會說:“Aniceday!”。中國傳統婚禮習慣用紅色,因為紅色象征吉祥。在喪葬習俗中,喪色為白色。而在西方的風俗習慣中,白色卻代表圣潔美好。所以,婚禮上新娘總是身著白色婚紗。所以,在翻譯紅色和白色時,譯者要注重了解不同文化的風俗習慣,準確地表達語言所賦予的文化內涵。因此,“awhiteday”要譯成“好日子”或“吉日”而不能直譯成“白色的日子”。再如:yardsale(庭院售物)、garagesale(車庫售物)、porchsale(門庭售物)或movingsale(搬家售物),是英美國家一種獨特的售物方式。由主人把家中多余不用的物品放在庭院中,車庫里或門廊下廉價出售。而國內是沒有這種做法的。因此,只有了解這種文化,才能正確翻譯,否則,會根據字面意思造成誤譯。
3.思維模式不同導致的文化差異。思維模式是使用某一種語言的民族群體在漫長的歷史過程中形成的語言心理傾向。不同文化的人對外界認知模式的差異,往往導致思維模式的差異。中西文化認知角度的差異,表現在對同一事物具體與抽象特征敏感落點的不同。在對事物進行描寫時,英語思維習慣往往把觀察重點和視覺中心落在較為抽象的特征上,并以抽象的特征來說明更為具體的東西,而漢語的感知視點恰恰與此相反。如:中國人習慣性用具體的“鍋碗瓢盆”指代廚房里的炊具,但因為認知視點的差異會誤譯為,“wok,bowl,gourd,la-dlebin”,而應抽象概括為“cookingutensils”。再如:“Hisbodyisveryhealthy.”(他的身體非常健康)、“Histwoeyesareblind.”(他雙目失明)。從漢語的語言使用習慣來說,這兩句說法沒有問題。由于英語思維習慣把句意中心落在較為抽象的特征上,而漢語習慣落在具體的特征上,所以譯文中的“body”,“eyes”就是一種漢語具體思維的體現,更地道的英語表達應該是“Heisveryhealthy”,“Heisblind”。語言與思維關系密切,不同的思維方式制約著語言的表達方式。所以,翻譯時應充分了解兩種語言的差異,排除思維習慣的干擾。
4.宗教文化不同導致的文化差異。宗教文化,作為一種以信仰為核心的特殊文化,影響著人們的思想意識、生活習俗。英美人多信仰基督教,認為世界是“上帝”創造的,凡事要遵從上帝的旨意。因此,英語中經常出現與“上帝”有關的語言表達,如:“Godblessme”、“Godhelpsthosewhohelpthemselves”。有些譯者將這兩句話直譯成“上帝保佑”“上帝幫助自助者”。顯然,這樣的表達是不符合漢語文化的。由于中國受佛教、道教和儒家思想的影響較深,所以,“Godblessme”譯成“菩薩保佑”,“Godhelpsthosewhohelpthem-selves”譯成“天助自助者”更符合漢語的文化傳統,也更容易讓中國讀者理解。再如:“半路出家”(switchtoanewtradewithoutsolidfoundation),“做一天和尚,撞一天鐘”(takeapsiveattitudetowardone’swork),“借花獻佛”(topresentBuddhawithborrowedflowers—toborrowsomethingtomakeagiftofit)。“出家”、“和尚”,“佛”均是中國的宗教文化,為了避免理解上的難點,括號中的譯文均采用了意譯法。對于宗教文化方面存在的差異,在翻譯時應予以注意,否則就會造成交際障礙。
5.情感聯想不同導致的文化差異。語言的聯想意義和社會文化是緊密相關的。在翻譯中,盡管字面意義相同,但潛在的背景因素引起的心理聯想會存在差異。一些看似相同的事物,不同文化習俗的讀者,往往會有完全不同的理解和聯想。如:英語中“goose”含有蠢笨、呆頭呆腦的意思,故而英語中有“stupidgoose”的說法,但對中國人來說,“鵝”是優雅、美麗、甚至高貴的化身,我們有洛賓王那首家喻戶曉,婦孺皆知的《詠鵝》為證,中國人無論如何不會將“鵝”與“蠢笨”聯系起來。[2]狗在中國詞匯中經常具有貶義色彩,“走狗、狗仗人勢”等都帶有強烈的諷刺意義。在西方,狗被視為寵物,帶有褒義色彩,如aluckydog(幸運兒)、Loveme,lovemydog(愛屋及烏)等都體現了狗在西方人眼中的特殊地位。
6.價值導向不同導致的文化差異。價值導向是指社會或群體、個人在自身的多種具體價值取向中將其中某種取向確定為主導的追求方向的過程。由于價值導向不同,兩種文化對于“謙遜”的看法截然不同。如:“modestdogsmissmuchmeet”(謙虛的狗沒有肉吃),“anexcessofmodestyobstructsthetongue”(謙虛過分束縛舌頭),“rulesmodestydestroygeniusart”(規則與謙遜會毀掉天才和藝術)等等。諸如此類的說法表明西方人認為“謙遜”無用。而中國人自古以來就很注重“謙遜”。如:“虛心使人進步,驕傲使人落后”(Modestyhelpsonegoforward,whereconceitmakesonelagbehind),“滿招損,謙受益”(Pridehurts,modestybenefits),等等。西方英語國家一般強調個人行為,成就及個人價值。如:“Everymanforhimselfgodforusall”(人人為自己,上帝為大家),“Godhelpsthosewhohelpthemselves”(自助者天助),“Everymanisthearchitectofhisownfuture”(自己的命運自己掌握)。而我們更強調集體價值觀,集體的成就。為了大局,可以犧牲掉個人的利益。因此,就有以下說法:“吃苦在先,享受在后。”(Thefirsttotoilthelttoenjoylife)這是典型的中國人的價值觀,強調集體的力量。再如:“眾志成城”(Thereisverybigstrengthwhenpeoplejointogether),“眾人拾柴火焰高”(Manyhsmakelightwork),“單絲不成線,獨木不成林。”(inglethreadcan’tmakeacord,noringletreeaforest.)
二、結語
文化差異問題內容豐富而又復雜。在翻譯過程中,只有充分了解中西方文化的差異,弄清源語言的真實涵義才能使譯文貼切而又自然。在英漢翻譯中,為了有效避免因文化差異而造成的誤譯,可以靈活采用不同的翻譯技巧。在直譯與意譯都不能解決問題的情況下,可以采用以下三種補償策略。
1.對于詞義空缺的詞匯可以采用音譯法。如:“陰(yin)”、“陽(yang)、bowling(保齡球),disco(迪斯科)。
2.為了保留原文的文化色彩,可以采用釋義法,注譯法。如:theheelofAchilles(阿基里斯的腳跟———唯一致命的弱點)。
(一)制度文化差異制度文化指人類的社會制度、宗教制度、生產制度、教育制度、勞動管理分配制度、家庭制度、親屬關系、禮儀習俗、行為方式等社會規約以及與其有關的各種理論。其中大家對家庭制度中男尊女卑的觀念耳熟能詳。傳統的農業社會和軍事戰爭,使男子成為社會的主力,再加上儒家思想的影響,男尊女卑觀念深入人心。《周易》有云:“女正位于內,男正位于外。推崇妻受命于夫和三從四德(“三從”,是指婦女應“未嫁從父、既嫁從夫、夫死從子”“;四德”,是指“婦德、婦言、婦容、婦功”)的綱常關系。西方的家庭觀念淡薄,個體本位主義濃郁,雖也存在過男女不平等的現象,但由于受到文藝復興、啟蒙運動思想的影響,比較重視人的價值,有一定的平等和自由權利。體現在翻譯上,表現為受不同文化影響的人,采取的翻譯策略各不相同,以“你倒也三從四德的,只是這賢惠也太過了”為例:楊譯:Quiteamodelofwifelysubmissionandvirtue,aren’tyou?Onlyyoucarrythisobediencetoofar.霍譯:Imustcongratulateyouonyourwifelyvirtue-thoughImustsaythatinthiscaseyouarecarryingwifelinessalittlefar.毋庸置疑,楊、霍二人翻譯的各有千秋,霍把“三從四德”一詞譯為virtue,省譯了“從”的內涵,把“賢惠”一詞譯為wifeliness,無形中提升了古代中國女性的地位,但翻譯的也是文從字順,用奈達的同構理論來看也是形神皆備,但從巴斯奈特的“文化翻譯觀”角度看,楊的翻譯更能反映源語文化的特征,表達原文的真實意義,不僅能讓讀者了解異域風情,從差異中獲得新知,還能保護源語民族的文化特色,豐富譯入語的文化,特別是在當今英語文化主導全球的文化潮流的背景下,意義愈加非凡。
(二)心理文化差異心理文化指人類的思維方式、思維習慣、價值觀念、審美情趣、信仰、心態等[2]。其中思維方式的差異在翻譯中舉足輕重。西方文明的源頭古希臘文明,誕生于愛琴海域的海灣、島嶼之上,農業耕種條件差,商業貿易相對發達,但變幻莫測的大海不斷的干擾著當地的商業貿易,迫使他們開始認識宇宙自然,而宇宙自然的規律又往往是抽象存在的,這就孕育了最早的歷史理性主義文化,高度重視邏輯推理,相信只有遵循正確的邏輯步驟才能求得真理。而我國占據了整個亞洲東部最大的可耕種土地面積,小農經濟發達,工商業、科學技術相對滯后,人們逐漸意識到豐收離不開風調雨順,生存離不開自然的恩賜,進而從自然現象中悟出陰陽交感、萬物一體、天人合一的觀念,再加上佛教思想(認為靜默、沉思、等待,真理會自然而然地顯現)的影響,共同催生了中國人用系統、全局把握事物的整體性思維。
二、文化影響下的翻譯策略
宏觀翻譯策略:
(一)洞察文中的文化內涵。有些文章中的文化符號比較明顯,我們可以一眼辨之,有些則比較隱晦,需讀者有一定的文化底蘊,不然寫者有意,聽著無心,其中的內涵只能埋沒。例如:Life,aseverybiographyandobitIhaveeverreadconfirms,iswhathappenswhenyouaremakingotherplans.文化積累不多的人看普普通通,但如果是列儂的歌迷或有相當的背景知識,他一定能辨出,這和BeautifulBoy中的Lifeisjustwhathappenstoyouwhileyou’rebusymakingotherplans.有異曲同工之處。
(二)采用歸化與異化相結合的翻譯策略。歸化是“采取民族中心主義的態度,使外語文本符合譯入語的文化價值觀,把原作者帶入譯入語文化”,異化法則是“對這些文化價值觀的一種民族偏離主義的壓力,接受外語文本的語言及文化差異,把讀者帶入外國情景”。歸化和異化旗鼓相當,不分軒輊,我們不能顧此失彼或厚此薄彼。好的譯文是歸化和異化的完美結合。微觀翻譯策略:民族特色詞的翻譯
(一)直譯法,用拼音直接寫出單詞或用英語直接翻譯。例如:劇名《劉巧兒》可直接譯為LiuQiaoer、風水譯為(Feng-shui)、麻將譯為(Mah-jong)、功夫譯為(Gongfu)。
(二)異譯或增詞進行解釋。例如:若有必要,在譯松、竹、梅歲寒三杰時,可把它們的寓意進行增詞解釋。得隴望蜀若譯為covetSichuanaftercapturingGansu意思可能不能有效傳譯,這時就可異譯為Themoreonereceives,themoreonede-sires。
三、小結
(一)風俗習慣方面的差異對翻譯的影響
人們所處地域不同,文化也會有差異,每個人都受到地域文化的影響。風俗習慣是一個地區的人們的生活方式,涉及到社會生活的各個領域。多方面的英漢風俗習慣的差異使得翻譯過程中對某些詞匯的理解大相徑庭。中西方對“狗”(dog)這一詞語的理解則最為突出。西方把狗看做是最忠誠的朋友、最忠實的伴侶,有關狗的習語也大都是褒義的。如:Loveme,lovemydog.(愛屋及烏)Everydoghasitsday.(人人皆有得意時。)而在漢語中,狗是一種相對來說較為低級的動物。“狗”這一詞條往往作為貶義詞來用,那些漢語中與狗有關的成語大多表達了貶義。如:“狐朋狗友”、“狗嘴里吐不出象牙”、“走狗”、狼心狗肺、雞飛狗跳等。另外,中西方在生活習慣方面也大不相同。就餐點而言,西方人喜歡面包加牛奶,而東方人喜歡米飯。在翻譯成漢語時,帶有“bread”的詞組完全失去了“面包”之意。例如:“breadandwater”譯為“粗茶淡飯”。再如:“Onecannotmakeanomeletwithoutbreakingeggs”意為“巧婦難為無米之炊”。因此,在日常翻譯工作中,譯者要尤為注意此類風俗習慣的差異,否則會產生很多翻譯曲解,甚至是錯誤的譯文。
(二)思維方式方面的差異對翻譯的影響
思維方式不同,對同一事物的語言表達方式往往也會不同。思維方式的不同實際上就是內在的文化差異。西方人的語言表達比較抽象是因為西方的思維方式重視抽象思維。而漢語則比較具體,這是因為中國人在語言上重意合。例如,在Thereisawhitebirdbetweenthegreenoftheforest中,“green”是典型的抽象詞,它是用抽象的表示顏色詞語來形容具體的森林的植被樣態。所以譯為“翠綠的森林中”比較合適。因此,在翻譯的過程中,譯者要研究中西方的思維方式,然后用符合各自思維方式的語言將原文作者的意思準確無誤的表達出來。
(三)生存環境方面的差異對翻譯的影響
語言的產生與人們的勞動和生活息息相關。航海業在英國十分發達,一度領先于世界。他們通過航海認識了世界,對大海有著深厚的感情,因而生活中有許多習語源自航海業。如allatsea(不知所措),drunkasasailor(爛醉如泥)。漢族人世世代代生活在亞歐大陸,人們的生活和土地密切相關。用“揮金如土”來比喻花錢大手大腳,英語則是“spendmoneylikewater”。可見,英漢兩個不同的民族,由于地理環境不同,他們觀察事物,反映客觀世界的角度和方式并不一致。所以翻譯切忌照詞典上的詞義逐詞逐句對譯,不合習慣的詞使會使信息出差錯或覺得美中不足。(四)宗教方面的差異對翻譯的影響是民族文化的重要組成部分,每個民族也都有不同的,翻譯時把宗教差異因素考慮進去是很有必要的。西方人信仰基督教者居多,因而有Godhelpsthosewhohelpthemselves.(上帝幫助那些幫助自己的人)的說法。在中國,人們多信仰佛教,這使得在漢語中涉及到宗教的詞匯多與佛教有關。比如借花獻佛、菩薩、佛祖、玉帝等。所以在翻譯含有宗教的句段時就要特別注意,以免引發錯譯、漏譯,而使翻譯失去了其文化交流的作用。
二、中西譯論的相異性
中國強調人對事物的往往無法“言傳”、只能“意會”的領悟;而起于柏拉圖和亞里士多德的西方思想哲學傳統,則強調人的理性思維,強調人對于世界的萬事萬物都應當、同時也能夠作出理性的認識,并能予以形式上的解釋。
三、中英句法的差異
英語句子常常由好幾個從句和復句構成,將不同的主體粘連到一個長句中,即化零為整。但是漢語句子通常不長,鄰近的句子之間通過不同的主體分開,也就是化整為零。例如:“Thehuntforthepumabeganinasmallvillagewhereawomanpickingblackberriessaw“alargecat”onlyfiveyardsawayfromher.”(L.G.Alexander,1997)在這句話中有好幾個主體,第一層面:“huntforthepuma”beganina“village”,“awoman”saw“alargecat”第二層面:The“woman”livesinthe“village”.通過“where”引導的定語從句,兩個層面的句子連在了一起,第二個層面成為修飾語。如果不調整結構直接按照這個復雜結構翻譯的話,中文譯文是這樣的:“對美洲獅的搜尋在一個某采摘黑莓的婦女看見離她五碼遠的地方有一只‘大貓’的小鄉村開始。”不用說,這個版本對中文讀者來說很費解,他們更希望看到化整為零的句型,在這種情況下需要根據目標語言對源語言句子的結構進行解構,更合適的譯文應該是:“對美洲獅的搜尋從一個小村莊開始。那里的一位婦女在采摘黑莓時看見離她五碼遠的地方有一只‘大貓’。”
四、人本主義和物本主義的差異
On Culture Taboos in Translation of Trademark Words and Coping Strategies
Xu Huimin
Abstracts: With the advent of economic globalization, more and more commodities are going out of the country and have a share in world market. Trademark is a special language symbol and important component of commodity culture,representing the unique characteristics of the commodity. It is also a powerful weapon for enterprisers to participate in international competition. Good trademark translation can bring tremendous wealth to the enterprise while the adverse trademark translation can make the enterprise pay a heavy price; therefore the survival of the enterprise has an intimate relationship with trademark translation. Trademark translation should follow the principles of translation and pay attention to the cultural forbidden zone in trademark translation. Here are many ways to translate trademarks, such as pinyin, transliteration and so on, which should pay attention to the cultural taboos of different countries and nationalities in order to avoid unnecessary troubles.
1. Introduction
The emergence of trademarks as a symbol of enterprise, it is a bridge between producers and consumers in direct dialogue it is a powerful weapon for enterprises to participate in international competition. The deepening of China's opening-up and the increasing economic activity of foreign-funded enterprises in China has greatly enriched the economic life of the Chinese people and created many new economic and commercial activities for the Chinese people. A large number of domestic exports to all parts of the world, foreign goods also flooded into the domestic market. Legitimate goods have their own trademarks. Today, with economic globalization and regional economic integration, more and more Chinese enterprises in order to seek larger development space and seek higher economic effectiveness for go out of the country and tend towards the world. At the same time, our lives appear many foreign brands with the same idea and purpose. A company whether can set up its own brand in this time of rapid economic growth and gain more development space, the key depend on product quality and research and development. But once you out of the country, you will face different culture, language, customs... under the background of the international market. The trademark language is a kind of language different from the ordinary word, and the ordinary word comparison implication is more profound and the content enriches makes the people easy to remember. For example advertisement and translation of trademark will play a crucial role in the early stage. It is not an exaggeration to say that when an enterprise’s brand is in the international market, the name of the commodity translated appreciately or not. In a sense, it is directly related to the brand in the international market, in a way, is directly related to the enterprise brand in the international market.
Nowadays we can see all kinds of trademarks when we walking in the street. The trademark is has the remarkable feature of a commodity producer or business operator who use it in order to distinguish his goods from other people's goods. Therefore, in the circulation of commodities, trademark is the symbol of commodities. Some trademarks is a word, some trademarks are just a simple image design, while some signs are the combination of graphics and words. Taking trademarks advertising commodity has become an important way of enterprises to tap the potential of international market and promote the development of international trade. Trademark translation is the transformation from one language to another, and to maintain its original style and connotation. Nowadays more and more foreign goods are entering the Chinese market. Meanwhile, more and more Chinese products are selling goods all around the world. How successfully translate the English trademark into Chinese trademark has become a problem for many enterprises and the translator to consider, and if China's enterprises have intention to enter the international market, that must be consider how to have good translate for Chinese trademark the into the English trademark.
This paper starts from the taboo of trademark translation, analyzes the cultural taboos which should be paid attention to in the process of trademark translation due to different cultures of various countries. With the exchange of Chinese and foreign products, the translation of trademarks is inevitable, so the translation of trademarks plays an important role in the sale of goods outside the home. The first chapter mainly introduces the background and significance of trademark translation. The second chapter mainly introduces the method of trademark translation. The third chapter mainly introduces the different cultural taboos in different cultures, and the fourth chapter mainly puts forward some corresponding strategies for the cultural taboos in the world. The fifth chapter mainly summarizes the full content.
2. Translation Methods of Trademark
In the process of trademark translation, businessmen strive for trademark individuality, concise content, break through the rules of grammar, as far as possible with the least content text bearing the most corporate culture and commodity value, and to make consumers have the desire to buy the goods and facilitate the effect of memory.( 許金杞. 意美、音美、形美——英文商標的漢譯[J], 外語與外語教學,2002, (11): 48.).
2.1Transliteration
Transliteration is based on the pronunciation of English trademarks, which are translated in the same or similar pronunciation of Chinese characters. Its advantage is that it can maintain the original pronunciation advantage of the original brand and brand name, which can reflect the exotic atmosphere of the goods. Taking transliteration of trademark name is mainly composed of a person's name, enterprise name or other proper noun. This method is used in both English trademark translation and Chinese trademark translation. A common used for transliteration English trademark, such as Sony, L 'Orea, Nike, Casio, Revlon, Ikea etc.
2.2 Synthetic Phonics
Synthetic Phonics is to cut words or make words together, create a new word to translation brand name, make the brand name novel and interesting, impressive, and have abundant association. Therefore, it can play a role in the advocacy. Such as 新意達集團“Newit” (New + Wit), 東方星鐘表“Eastar”(Eeast + star), 膚美靈化妝品“Skinice”(skin + nice), 金霸王電池“Durable cell” (Durable + Cell), 尤妮佳“Unicharm”(union + charm), 德生電 “Tecsun”(technology+ sun).
2.3 Spelling
The trademark taking spelling which is more simply and intuitive, and is named directly in the form of pinyin. Such as:大寶(DABAO)、六神(LIUSHEN)、華為(HUAWEI)etc. When we use pinyin to translate the name of an English trademark, sometimes it does not have corresponding words or expressions of Chinese. Some trademarks will be presented in the form of pinyin in the translation process, but the word may have different meanings in English-speaking countries. For example, there is a trademark called “FUCK Pincers”, which probably initials of the company name. But in English, the word means “cheating, cajoling” or even sex slang. Therefore, when we translate trademarks, we should be careful of each country of cultural differences and cultural taboos. Although the use of pinyin translation of trademarks have failed cases, but the use of Pinyin translation of trademarks have a successful case. Such as “Chun Lan”(春蘭空調)and “Chang Hong”(長虹空調). But these successes are in the minority. Some trademarks that use pinyin translation can be misleading, produce negative associations and cause ambiguity. Such as the lipstick brand “芳芳”, translated by pinyin as “Fang Fang”, but in English, the word “Fang” means “along, sharp tooth of a dog; a snake’s poison-tooth”. So, for cosmetics that want to make people beautiful, the translation is too different from its original meaning, and it can't arouse consumers' desire to buy. Although pinyin translation is relatively simple compared with other translation methods, but the trademark is only a sign, which usually loses the deep meaning of the original trademark. For example, “金龍” translates to “King Long”. The pronunciation of “金” and “King” is very close, and it has a noble meaning, and this conversion is reasonable. In China, “龍” is the symbol of Chinese culture, symbolizing the meaning of justice and prosperity, but the word “Long” in English pronunciation for “Wolf” so with the meaning of “龍” have a clear difference in meaning. In these cases, the loss of the original meaning of the trademark but also to foreign consumers puzzled, do not understand what these trademarks mean, thus affecting the sales volume.
2.4 Liberal Translation
The liberal translation refers to the translation according to the purport of the original text, not the word translation. Usually in the translation of sentences or phrases used more, liberal translation is mainly used in the original language and the translation of large cultural differences in the case. Liberal translation is more able to reflect the language characteristics of the nation. The transliteration of trade mark means that the translator has to abandon the literal meaning of the original text in order to conform to the original content and the main language function, which is based on the national culture and focuses on the cultural connotation. In other words, the transliteration is a completely literal translation. Such as “Red Bull”(紅牛飲料),“Microsoft”(微軟),The liberal translation, also called "Functional equivalence translation", usually only chooses the content of the original text and discards its form, which is a kind of translation after digestion. For example: “雀巢咖啡”translated into Nescafe. Nescafe is the abbreviation of Nestle Coffee, why do you have this translation? Because the coffee's outsourcing bottle cap is printed with the design of Nestle, its English is Nestle, and the “咖啡” translation is coffee, so in translating, The translator according to the meaning take two words together is “Nescafe”.
3. The Culture Taboos in Translation of Trademark
Because in international trade different countries have different social, historical and cultural backgrounds, a commodity often appears to be popular in one country, but in another it is neglected. This is because the translator did not take fully the cultural and historical background of the trademark translation into account, which led to the marketing failure. Translators should have a certain understanding of different countries of national culture and cultural taboos, there will not due to the mistake of trademark translation, result in the failure of commodity marketing. ( Nida, E. “Language, Culture and Translating”, 上海: 上海外語教育出版社, 1993.).
3.1 Taboos of National Psychology
National psychology refers to the character, temperament, emotion, value orientation, religious mentality and aesthetic psychology of a nation. Although the psychological model of a nation has the same characteristics as other nationalities, but most of them are different and mutually exclusive. The national psychological differences make people have psychological conflict in the people intercourse, and form the barrier of mutual intercourse. National psychology is the inherent psychological characteristic of a nation in the process of long-term evolution. Because different ethnic groups are affected by different ecological environment, religious belief and historical political and cultural background, different ethnic groups form different national psychology. Different national psychology has created different values and consuming psychology. The psychological mode of a nation inevitably influences its shopping mentality. In the process of trademark translation, if we ignore the national psychological differences, the good products will not be bought for the unacceptable translated trademark in sales place. Such as “帆船” carpet is also the traditional export products translated into junk results in the United States market no one to buy. Originally junk in English sailing accident also have rubbish, tattered meaning. Later it was translated into “Junco” to attract the attention of foreign people. Because of the different customs and morals of each country and nation, the translator should consider the culture and customs of the place of sale. The trademark of the “太陽神口服液” wants to show the world that the oral liquid can be full of youthful vigor, not directly translated into the "the god of the sun", the translator in the translation of the Cultural transformation, translated as "Apollo", the ancient Greek sun God's meaning, representing the light and youth, with the original language.
3.2 Element of Politics, Economy and History
Politics, economy and history determine the status of a country in the world, so it is a cultural taboo is an important factor to be considered in the translation of trademarks and a sensitive factor, so it is very important to take into account the political, economic and historical taboos in translation. Such as OPIUM perfume, inventor of the trademark in 1977 had been to China, he started from the Chinese snuff bottle modeling inspiration, created the "OPIUM" brand perfume, trademark means "OPIUM", translated as OPIUM will remind the Chinese of humiliation of the opium war, the strong national pride makes the perfume was listed in China slammed by consumers, and eventually banned due to violation of China's trademark law. Bear in modern economic terms, it can be matched with market, which means "market of falling market", popularly known as "weak city, market and bear market". Such words should not be used on trademarks.
3.3 The Variation of Culture Taboos in Different Countries
3.3.1 The Variation of Animal’s Symbolic Meaning
Panda: in China, they are seen as animals and pets, but in Muslim countries, they are seen as pig. African trademark also bans the panda.
Bats: westerners believe it is a symbol of terror, death and foreboding. Even kids know it's a vampire. However, in our country, it is regarded as a symbol of happiness, as an auspicious omen.
Elephant: in India, Sri Lanka and other countries are auspicious things and solemn symbols. But in some European countries, elephants have the same meaning as idiots
Owl: in our country, the owl is regarded as an ominous sign. In addition to the Swiss, westerners believe that it is the embodiment of wisdom, courage and toughness.
Peacock: in our country and south Asia, it symbolizes auspiciousness and beauty. India also sees it as a national bird, but Europeans see the peacock as a scourge.
Dogs: dogs in the west are seen as a loyal partner, protected by law. Instead, in some parts of northern Africa, people hate dogs and taboo dogs.
Cats: in many countries, they are considered pets. Europeans think cats can bring good luck. But many people in western countries think black cats are unlucky.
The crane: our country regards it as a symbol of good luck and longevity, while the French think the crane is a stupid man's name.
Rabbit: many countries think that rabbits are cute and docile, but in Australia they are the exception. Because rabbits eat grass, they are the bane of wool production, so they don't like the “rabbi” brand.
Phoenix: in our country is a kind of the miraculous animals, on behalf of the "lucky, happiness, and elegant. Chinese people believed that a “鳳凰”bicycle can bring good luck, but in western culture legend phoenix is not dead bird, there is the meaning of" renewable "and" resurrection ", so the goods no takers in the west it is not surprising. A similar example of “喜鵲”,but the English word is “magpie” is talking about boring people in the west.
3.3.2 The Variation of Number Symbolic Meaning
0: Indians believe that the number ending in 0 is positive.
1: in the eyes of westerners, “1” means perfection and initiation.
3: the Greeks and Egyptians considered the “3” to be sacred, dignified and auspicious. Some western countries see this as an unlucky number.
4: North Korea, Japan and China think this number is unlucky. In the eyes of Japanese, it is lazy and useless. The Arabs thought it was immortal, so they attached great importance to this number.
7: Some Europeans and Americans think this is a good luck, while Singaporeans have the opposite idea.
8: this is a lucky number in China, which is very similar to the word "發", which people tend to choose when choosing a number. Singaporeans, however, say the Numbers are not good.
13: the west and Singapore think this number will bring bad luck and misfortune. So there are no 13 floors in western countries.
Digital deification also shows the difference between east and west. In our country “666”, “999”, “金六福”, “三元” and “13” these digital products, in the United States can see the “7-up”, “Modle Seven” and “7-eleven”and other trademarks of goods, but “666”, “13” goods exported to the United Kingdom and the United States will become a problem, because the “six” in the west is the symbol of the devil, 13 is an unlucky number. It is difficult for us to master the culture of each country, which requires us to accumulate knowledge to avoid the cultural taboos of other countries in the translation of trademarks.
3.3.3 The Variation of Color Symbolic Meaning
In China, green symbolizes life, red symbolizes passion, white symbolizes purity, and black symbolizes solemnity. In the United States, light colors are generally liked, such as ivory, light green, light blue, yellow, pink, light yellow, and they don't like purple. In France, people have imaginative about color. In addition, the color research and application is very exquisite, like red, yellow, blue and other colors. Bright-color is regarded as the symbol of vogue, luxuriant, nobility, so bright-color is popular in France. In eastern France, boys in fashion wear blue and girls wear pink. For Belgium, chrysanthemum means death, so similar to the chrysanthemum color won't welcome. For southern Belgium, girls love pink and boy love blue, ordinary people love the elegant grey. Avoid dark green, black and green color for Nazi uniform. It is not appropriate to use blue and yellow as a commercial in Sweden. Many countries like green, especially in the desert where Arabs see green as life, and green as a symbol of life for the flag. The Japanese, however, taboo green, who think green, is unlucky. In Malaysia, green is the symbol of disease. Westerners use white to symbolize purity, and black symbolizes death. Britain regards “red” as cruel and unlucky. In western countries, westerners regard white as a symbol of purity and beauty, and the bride's wedding dress is white, which symbolizes the purity and fidelity of love.
4. Coping Strategies of Cultural Taboos in the Process of Translation
Trademarks are the unity of language and culture. Trademark translation, with the perspective of cross-cultural communication, accurately grasp, the surface culture and deep culture, which can turn the material value to the abstract spiritual value. It allowed consumers to understand the material value of goods and material language culture and spiritual culture. Goods are sold to different countries and regions, so cultural differences between different types and degrees are necessarily reflected in the language. Although the translator deals with individual words in trademark translation, the translator always faces two cultures. Facing with fierce competition, the translator must have a strong awareness of intercultural communication, and break the bondage of language form equivalence concept in order that bring out the sound and make all brand names of goods have broad market prospects.( [3] Newmark, Peter. A Textbook of Translation[M]. Shanghai: Shanghai Foreign Language Education Press, 2001.).
4.1 Catering to Consumer Psychology
Culture affects all aspects of our lives. It restricts and regulates the process of feeling the world and forming ideas, thus forming some perceptual cultural determinism. These perceptual stereotypes affect people's values and consumer psychology. The translation of trademarks must take into account the cultural habits and aesthetic psychology of consumers. In international trade, it is not difficult to find that the product of the same trademark is popular in one place and suffers from a snub in another. It is important that whether trademark translation can cater to consumers' aesthetic psychology. A people said that "The translator must be a real cultural person". If the translator is not sufficiently knowledgeable about the language and cultural phenomena of the target language, it is likely to make unavoidable mistakes in language or culture. For example, the “白象” battery produced in our country is translated as “White Elephant”, originally in English, “White Elephant” meaning is “big and useless”. For example, there is a kind of electric appliance called “蝙蝠”, the Chinese will take their homophonic, “蝠-福氣”. When translated into “Bat”, it will cause Westerners to resent it because they hate the animal. It is important to know how to translate the correct trademark. The import trademarks translation needs to take into account the traditional culture of China and the consumption psychology of Chinese consumers. Foreign products enter the Chinese market, if they want to set up a good product image, and be loved by Chinese consumers, they should have a translation which is consistent with Chinese consumers' cultural habits and aesthetic psychology Such as the United States drink “Coca Cola”, a translator used several of its similar homophonic Chinese characters as their trademark name in its first sale in China, the result is no one buy, because these several Chinese characters together reminiscent of the shape of the tadpole, meaning of “啃蠟蝌蚪”. Later, a called Jiang Yi translator careful study of the translation of the “Coca-Cola”, not only retained the “cola” pronunciation, but also cater to the Chinese consumer's psychology, point out its “delicious” taste, and the “happy” effect. In a sense, “cola” can be sold in the Chinese market, which is a good idea of the translation has played a great role.
4.2 The Use of Concise Language
For trademark translation, consumers are impressed by the simple and easy to understand and easy to understand. Because of the significant differences in pronunciation, word formation, historical background and cultural tradition between Chinese and English, some of the most concise and powerful trademarks in one language may appear to be protracted and difficult to remember. For example the American beer “Budweiser”, translate into“百德威斯” is difficult to remember Obviously there is no “百威” to be concise, and "百威" makes people feel refreshed and infinitely powerful. The trademark translation should make the reader feel good, remember, love and be willing to buy its goods, such as “Panten”(潘婷), “Olay” (玉蘭油), the translation is elegant and pleasant to hear. Therefore, when translating trademarks, we should bear in mind the memory function of trademarks, make the translation straightforward and simple, easy to read and easy to remember, and try to avoid those lengthy and cumbersome ones, that is, no real meaning, difficult to read and hard to remember . The most important goal of trademark translation is to enable consumers to remember the products they represent through the translation of trademarks. Therefore, trademark translation must be simple, easy to remember and vivid image.
4.3 Reflecting Commodity Information
The function of a trademark is to illustrate the performance of the commodity and reflect the characteristics of the commodity. A trademark is also a concise advertisement. A commodity wants to open sale, besides the quality is good, the variety is opposite the road, the price is reasonable, very important one is the translation of the trademark. By trademark, people can have the most basic understanding of the commodity, as far as possible to the purpose of pre-sale. Therefore, the translation of the trademark should indicate the performance of the commodity from one aspect of the commodity, leaving a deep impression on the consumers. The translation must conform to the nature of the product and reflect its accurate positioning in the original text. For example: the world famous toothpaste brand Crest has the meaning of “Top, Peak point, Helmet” and so on, which makes people think of the “hard and hard surface protection”. If it can protect the teeth like a helmet, who can say no? Today, P&G products are almost everywhere in the world, and the “Safeguard” is particularly profound. The word is composed of “safe + guard”, safe means “safe, safe, reliable” and “guard” means “protection” two words together, became a “security”. This can make people think that the product is safe and does not stimulate the skin and can also play a role in skin care. The translation of the trademark should indicate the performance of the product and impress the consumers. Such as: the name “Benz” of Germany comes from the name of “KarlBenz”. In Taiwan, it was translated as “朋馳” and also translated as “本茨”. Although these translations are similar to the original name, the literal meaning does not reflect the performance of the goods, or it can be said to have no meaning. Now, "Benz" is translated as “Benz”, which is similar to the original name, which can also be thought of in the literal meaning of the translated name to the excellent performance of the car. Again such as “Nike” and “original intention”, the Greek goddess of victory, “娜姬”, “Nike” to the original feeling of propaganda object may be like a beautiful and victory, and the feeling of “Nike” to the Chinese tend to be more abrasion resistance, more in line with the consumer psychology of the Chinese . Excellent trademarks try to reflect the characteristics and advantages of commodities to cater to consumers' purchasing psychology. These logos are full of allegorical or inspiring people's rich associations to create an irresistible feeling.
The trademark language is a kind of language different from the ordinary word, and the ordinary word comparison implication is more profound and the content enriches makes the people easy to remember. Trademark language has several characteristics,First, the trademark language to have independence, only has the independent trademark to give the consumer the visual impact and the appeal, thus achieves the recognition and the approval goal. In other words, there could be no other identical trademarks. Second, the trademark language should be symbolic, trademark logo must have a high cohesion and profound implication. This requires businesses in the development of trademarks to the corporate culture, entrepreneurial spirit and the characteristics of enterprise products in the brand. Third, the trademark language should also be descriptive, refers to the trademark language generally implies the quality of goods, indicating its characteristics and performance. Four, the trademark language should also have the imagination characteristic, this can give the consumer an imaginary space, lets the consumer feel that uses this kind of product to have the unexpected effect. Five, use foreign words to do trademark language, according to their own cultural patterns, new things to be reconstructed.