新概念英語第四冊(cè)翻譯入門：譯者必備的素質(zhì)

A Brief introduction to Translation

翻譯原理入門

I. Definition

翻譯的定義

Translation, speaking, implies rendering from one language into another of something written or spoken. It is, essentially the faithful representation, in one language of what is written or spoken in another. It is the replacement of textual material in one language (SL-the source language) by equivalent textual material in another language (TL-target language).

翻譯，說起來其實(shí)是指把一種語言翻譯成另一種口頭或書面的文字。在這個(gè)語言轉(zhuǎn)換的過程中，翻譯的實(shí)質(zhì)是對(duì)原來語言最忠誠的描繪。翻譯是等價(jià)目標(biāo)語言對(duì)其源語言的替換。

II. Qualifications of a translator

翻譯者必備的素質(zhì)

1) A translator must be well acquainted with the source language. We are inclined to feel too confident of our comprehension when we are reading foreign literary works. We think we know it from A to Z, yet, when we start translating it we find it difficult and there are many points misunderstood. We are playing the fool with ourselves because of careless reading. Therefore, translation serves as the best possible approach to the study of foreign languages.

一個(gè)譯者必須很精通源語言。當(dāng)我們閱讀國(guó)外文學(xué)作品時(shí)，我們通常很自信于自己的理解能力。我們自以為完全讀懂了文意，可是一旦開始翻譯就會(huì)遇到障礙，才發(fā)現(xiàn)很多地方都理解錯(cuò)了。因?yàn)殚喿x不仔細(xì)，我們一味糊弄自己。為此，翻譯充當(dāng)著外語學(xué)習(xí)的最好方法。

2) A translator must be well acquainted with the target language. Let's take Yan Fu for instance: When Yan Fu, a famous translator in the Qing Dynasty, was translating "Evolution and Ethics and other Essays", the title turned out to be the crux that caused him to cudgel his brains day and night and look pale for it. His wife worried very much and thought about the representation of the title for quite time and eventually had it translated into《天演論》which has since deserved high praise up till now.

一個(gè)好的譯者必須很熟悉目標(biāo)語言。讓我們看一下關(guān)于嚴(yán)復(fù)的小實(shí)例。我國(guó)清朝著名的翻譯家嚴(yán)復(fù)在翻譯《天演論》時(shí)，題目的翻譯成為攻克整篇文章的難關(guān)，嚴(yán)復(fù)絞盡腦汁、夜以繼日地思考，甚至都日漸消瘦了。嚴(yán)復(fù)的妻子很擔(dān)心他，也幫著一起思考題目該怎么取。思考了很長(zhǎng)一段時(shí)間，最終把題目定為《天演論》，一直到今天這個(gè)題目都為他們贏得了很高的評(píng)價(jià)。

3) A translator must be armed with necessary professional knowledge.

一個(gè)好的譯者必須具備必要的專業(yè)知識(shí)。

4) A translator must be armed with the ability to live his part. As famous play writer Maryann pointed out: "a translator must enter into the spirit of character (regard himself as one that plays a role in a play). That is to say, he seems

1. present at the very spot.

2. involved in the very occurrence.

3. witnessing the very parties concerned.

4. interating the very utterances.

5. experiencing the very joy and annoy.

6. sharing the very weal and woe.

7. partaking of the glee and grief.

一個(gè)好的譯者必須具備活出他的角色的能力。就像著名劇作家瑪麗安說的：“一個(gè)好的譯者必須能夠進(jìn)入到角色的精神層面(把自己當(dāng)成話劇的一個(gè)角色)”。也就是說，他必須具備以下能力：

1. 親臨其境

2. 親臨其事

3. 親睹其人

4. 親道其法

5. 親嘗其甘，親領(lǐng)其苦

6. 親享其福，親受其哀

7. 親得其樂，親感其悲

5) A translator must be armed with the excellent ability of expressiveness and vivid imagination. "Toiling yourself and endure hardship for obtaining a well-chosen word" just as the famous poet Du Fu did "Never give up until an amazing poetic masterpiece is gained".

一個(gè)好的譯者必須具備出色的表達(dá)力和生動(dòng)的想象力。“為求一字穩(wěn)，耐得五更寒” ，好的譯者還需要像詩圣杜甫那樣具有“語不驚人死不休”的精神與毅力。