华东师范大学(哲学社会科学版) ›› 2018, Vol. 50 ›› Issue (6): 65-71.doi: 10.16382/j.cnki.1000-5579.2018.06.008

• 国家话语生态研究 • 上一篇    下一篇

中国当下流行新词翻译的可接受性研究

窦卫霖, 杜海紫   

  1. 华东师范大学外语学院, 上海, 200241
  • 出版日期:2018-11-15 发布日期:2018-11-26
  • 作者简介:窦卫霖,华东师范大学外语学院教授、博导;杜海紫,华东师范大学外语学院在读博士(上海,200241)。
  • 基金资助:
    国家社科基金项目"中国社会文化新词英译及其接受效果研究"(项目编号:17BYY055)。

On the Acceptability of English Translation of Popular Chinese Neologisms

DOU Wei-lin, DU Hai-zi   

  • Online:2018-11-15 Published:2018-11-26

摘要: 以中国当下流行的20个新词为例,通过对英语为母语的外国人进行问卷调查和深度访谈,可以研究流行新词翻译的可接受性程度,并揭示影响对外翻译可接受性的因素和翻译策略。研究发现,对外翻译汉语流行新词时,翻译越是符合译入语的认知语境,其接受性越高。在源语与译入语之间,语境中文化空缺较大的词汇宜用"保留策略",尤其是直译法、音译法效果较好;语境中文化空缺较小的词汇宜用"替换策略",尤其是同化法和意译法的效果更佳。同时,翻译也需要考虑受众的认知水平、思维方式和文化习惯等语境因素,采取灵活的翻译方法。并根据传播目的,充分考虑译法背后的意识形态,巧用翻译利器,对外讲述中国故事。

关键词: 流行新词, 翻译可接受性, 翻译策略与方法

Abstract: This paper reports the findings of a study on the acceptability of English translations of 20 popular Chinese neologisms through questionnaires and in-depth interviews with native speakers of English. The study tries to find out the elements that influence such acceptability in terms of translation strategies and methods and others. An analysis of the survey results reveals that when translating Chinese neologisms, context greatly influences the acceptability of translation strategy:for words exhibiting a large cultural vacancy, a conservation translation strategy such as literal translation method or transliteration method with annotation method works better, while for words exhibiting a smaller cultural vacancy, priority should be given to such substitution translation strategies as free translation method and naturalization method. Furthermore, great attention should be paid to the cognition, thinking patterns, the culture tradition of the potential readers and the communication purpose, which entail flexible use of translation methods.

Key words: popular Chinese neologisms, acceptability of translation, translation strategies and methods