中国传统文化与翻译

翻译者必须是一个真正意义的文化人。 ------王佐良
如同在做心脏手术时人们不能忽略心脏以 外的身体其他部分一样，我们在翻译时也不能冒 险将翻译的言语内容和文化分开来处理。 ------英国翻译理论家Susan Bassnett
巧媳妇做不出没米的饭，叫我怎么样呢？ Y: “Even the cleverest housewife can‟t cook a meal without rice. What do you expect me to do?”
一见面是寒暄，寒暄之后说我“胖了”， 说我“胖了”之后即大骂其新党。（鲁迅《祝 福》）
When we met, after exchanging a few polite remarks, he said I was fatter, and after saying that he immediately started a violent attack on the revolutionaries. After exchanging a few polite remarks when we met, he observed that I looked fat, and having made that complimentary remark he started a violent attack on the
H: One of these days when I get my temper up I m going to lay into that jealous bitch and break every bone in her body. Then perhaps she‟ll know who‟s master round here.
“这断子绝孙的阿Q！”远远地听到小尼姑 的带哭的声音。
“Ah Q, may you die sonless!” sounded the little nun‟s voice tearfully in the distance.(--- a curse intolerable to hear in China)
“难道这也是个痴丫头，又像颦儿来葬花不成？” 因又自笑道：“若真也葬花，可谓东施效颦；不但不为 新奇，而且更是可厌。” H: “Can this be some silly maid coming here to bury flowers like Frowner?” he wondered. He was reminded of Zhuang-zi‟s story of the beautiful Xi-shi‟s ugly neighbour, whose endeavours to imitate the little frown that made Xi-shi captivating produced an aspect so hideous that people ran from her in terror. The recollection of it made him smile. “This is „imitating the Frowner‟ with a vengeance,‟” he thought, “---if that is really what she is doing. not merely unoriginal, but downright disgusting!”
等我性子上来，把这‘醋罐子’打个稀烂， 他才认的我呢！
Y: “One of these days when I really lose my temper, I‟m going to give that vinegary bitch a good beating to show her who‟s master here.”
文化的差异给翻译带来的困难主要表现在以 下三个方面：
词汇空缺 词义冲突
联想意义不同
钱先生周岁时“抓周”，抓了一本书，因 此得名“钟书”。
When Qian was just one year old, he was told by his parents to choose one thing among many others, he picked up a book of all things. Thereupon his father very gladly gave him the name: Zhongshu(=book lover).
S/F, 31, 5‟6‟‟, blonde and tan! Seeking sun loving male, 26-42. Must be affectionate, honest, caring. But also can get wild and crazy! Interests: Romantic weekends, beaches, fishing, camping, cuddling, auto races, barbecues, flea markets. Enjoy summer activities? Pick up that pen and write!! Photo and phone number.
人家是醋罐子，他是醋缸，醋瓮！ Y: If other women are jealous, she‟s a huy call jealous people “vinegar bottles”, don‟t they? Well, she‟s not just a bottle full of vinegar; she‟s a storage jar --- a whole cistern --- full of it!
宝玉忙道：“只是这姑娘可好，你们大爷怎 么就中意了？”香菱笑道：“一则是天缘，二来 是‘情人眼里出西施’。
What‟s the girl like? How did he come to take a fancy to her?
It‟s partly fate, and partly a case of “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.”
S/M, 5‟10‟‟,165.Ibs., blonde hair, blue eyes, seeking attractive, slim lady between 28&40, who likes to go dancing and have a good time. I Enjoy 50‟s and 80‟s and country music, dancing, dining out, cookouts, sports. Great sense of humor but also a serious side. Please send photo and phone number. Thank you.
四种主要的翻译方法 直译法----直译可以在一定程度上保留原文的文 化特色与语言色彩，但前提条件是译文必须为译 语读者所理解与接受------通顺（易解）。 奈达：最好的翻译应该读起来不像翻译。 又要马儿好，又要马儿不吃草。 You want the horse to run fast and you don‟t let it graze.
套用法 在保留原有意义的前提下，套用或借用译 语表达方式来代替原语的表达。 宝玉忙道：“只是这姑娘可好，你们大爷 怎么就中意了？”香菱笑道：“一则是天缘， 二来是‘情人眼里出西施’。 What‟s the girl like? How did he come to take a fancy to her? It‟s partly fate, and partly a case of “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.”
谚语典故更是集中地反映了中国传统文化， 可以说是传统文化的结晶。
她有沉鱼落雁之容，闭月羞花之貌。 Her beauty would make the fish sink, the wild goose fall down, the moon hide herself, and put the flowers to shame.
直译加注法 既保留了原文的文化与语言色彩，又能为 译语读者所理解。
人家是醋罐子，他是醋缸，醋瓮！ 一见面是寒暄，寒暄之后说我“胖了”， 说我“胖了”之后即大骂其新党。（鲁迅《祝 福》） “这断子绝孙的阿Q！”远远地听到小尼 姑的带哭的声音。
H: “I don‟t see what I am supposed to do without any capital. Even the cleverest housewife can‟t make bread without flour.”
除了我这间房,大院里还有二十多间呢.一共 住着多少家子,谁说得清?住两间房的就不多,又 搭上今儿个搬来,明儿个又搬走.我没那么好的记 性.大家见面,招呼声”吃了吗?”透着和气. Besides the room we occupy there are twenty more rooms in the same compound. How many families live there, only God knows. Those who occupy two rooms are very few. Besides, they are always on the go (moving in today and moving out tomorrow). I haven‟t got such a good memory as to remember all that. When people meet, they greet with each other with a Hi, just to show their good neighborly feelings.
谋事在人，成事在天。 Y：Man proposes, Heaven disposes. H: Man proposes, God disposes.