陳慕僑
(韓山師范學(xué)院外語系,廣東潮州 521041)
冗余與信息的可預(yù)測性相關(guān),它是信息傳輸過程的可預(yù)測或規(guī)約的信號,是語言的內(nèi)在屬性。任何語言都包含50%左右的冗余成分,這些可預(yù)測信息成分可排除噪音的干擾和解碼疲勞,確保語內(nèi)交際的成功。(Shannon,1948;Reza,1990;Nida,1964;Campbell,1982;Cherry,1978)也就是說,語言的語內(nèi)冗余是語言的內(nèi)在屬性,一定量的冗余以及語境會(huì)決定交際的效果。(Berlo,1960;Carroll,1964)
識別冗余來源的方法有兩種:一種是顯性的特定語言結(jié)構(gòu),包括句法上的和語義上的(語言規(guī)約),另一種是隱性的文化因素(文化規(guī)約)。任何語言都有其本身的語言習(xí)慣,這就意味著任何兩種語言的冗余成分(即可預(yù)測信號)是不對等的。譬如,在英語里面,冗余成分是特定的語法結(jié)構(gòu),如格、單復(fù)數(shù)一致、名詞復(fù)數(shù)等的標(biāo)記、某些同義重復(fù)等;而在漢語里面,則是頻頻使用的與動(dòng)詞搭配的范疇詞、同義重復(fù)、華而不實(shí)的修飾詞等等。英語的讀者依賴英語的文化背景來解碼某些信息,而漢語讀者則依賴中國的文化。直接翻譯會(huì)導(dǎo)致目的語的冗余成分過多或多少,不利于目的語讀者解碼。本文以漢語經(jīng)濟(jì)新聞為例,探討翻譯應(yīng)該盡量使源語和目的語的“語言和文化冗余相互匹配”,(Nida,1964:130)達(dá)到預(yù)期交際效果的途徑。
本文整合冗余與信道、翻譯的相關(guān)理論以及目的論的三個(gè)法則,結(jié)合經(jīng)濟(jì)新聞文本簡明、準(zhǔn)確的特點(diǎn),嘗試提出一個(gè)能夠指導(dǎo)冗余成分英譯的框架。
1.冗余與信道、翻譯。Nida(1964)認(rèn)為,在交際中,最好的狀態(tài)是原始的信息剛好符合解碼者的信道。在語際溝通中,解碼者指的是目標(biāo)語讀者。一般來說,語內(nèi)溝通中一定量冗余的存在正好符合這種情況。然而,由于不同語言冗余成分的差異,直接翻譯會(huì)給解碼者帶來溝通負(fù)擔(dān)(communication load)。這種情況下,解碼者的信道會(huì)自動(dòng)收窄,影響了交際效果。為了使源語與目的語意義上達(dá)到對等,即譯文符合目標(biāo)讀者的語言習(xí)慣,Nida(1964)提出調(diào)整原始信息,使之符合目標(biāo)讀者的信道,如下圖所示。Adjusted Translation into Receptor Language(Nida,1964:131)
圖1 調(diào)整翻譯成目的語
在冗余成分存在差異的情況下,調(diào)整原始信息意味著增加或減少源語的冗余量,使之符合目標(biāo)讀者的語言習(xí)慣。
2.目的論三個(gè)法則。德國功能派代表之一 Hans J.Vermeer將自己的理論稱為“目的論(Skopostheorie)”。目的論下的三個(gè)法則分別為:目的原則(Skopos rule)、連貫原則(coherence rule)和忠實(shí)法則(fidelity rule)。
目的原則:這里指目標(biāo)文本的目的,以Vermeer(Vermeer 1989a:20,cit Nord,1997:29)的話說,就是“翻譯使譯文在人們想要使用它以及人們想要它發(fā)揮特定功能的情況下發(fā)揮作用”。目的原則是翻譯的最高原則。(Reiss and Vermeer 1984:101,cit Nord,1997:29)
連貫原則:也稱語內(nèi)連貫(intratextual coherence),指的是譯文必須對目標(biāo)文化的讀者來說是有意義的,也就是說目標(biāo)讀者在其特定的交際情境和文化背景下能夠理解譯文。
忠實(shí)法則:也稱語際連貫(intertextual coherence),指的是源語文本與譯文必須存在一定聯(lián)系。(Nord,1997:32)
基于以上的理論闡釋,筆者試圖構(gòu)建以下框架:
筆者從中國政府網(wǎng)、商務(wù)部等官方網(wǎng)站以及《今日中國》《北京周報(bào)》等期刊上搜集大量例子,話題包括房地產(chǎn)、金融市場等,運(yùn)用以上框架進(jìn)行分析。這些例子含有的冗余成分(語言規(guī)約和文化規(guī)約)無法直接翻譯,否則會(huì)給目標(biāo)讀者帶來解碼負(fù)擔(dān)。以下是部分例子。
1.語言規(guī)約。
漢語不能直譯的語言規(guī)約表現(xiàn)形式主要有:動(dòng)賓結(jié)構(gòu)的范疇詞、華而不實(shí)的修飾詞、同義/近義反復(fù)、隱性重復(fù)、“總結(jié)性小句+細(xì)節(jié)”結(jié)構(gòu)、主語省略等。主語省略的把主語補(bǔ)上則可,而其它情況則要根據(jù)需要減譯或意義整合。
例1:項(xiàng)目位于海河中游南岸,采取一次規(guī)劃、分期建設(shè)方式進(jìn)行。(中國商務(wù)部網(wǎng)站:http://english.mofcom.gov.cn/aarticle/subject/cv/lanmua/201203/201203080163 93.htm)
The project is located at south bank of the middle reaches of Haihe River,and is preceded in the way of one-time planning,phased construction.
(China Ministry of Commerce website:http://english.mofcom.gov.cn/aarticle/newsrelease/significantnews/201203/20120308016379.html)
本例子要傳遞的信息是項(xiàng)目的位置以及進(jìn)行的方式。動(dòng)賓結(jié)構(gòu)“采取……方式”經(jīng)常使用,漢語讀者非常習(xí)慣?!胺绞?way)”是“一次規(guī)劃、分期建設(shè)(one-time planning,phased construction)”的范疇詞。John Pinkham(2000)在其著作The Translator’s Guide to Chinglish中對范疇詞作了特別闡釋,指出“不管范疇詞在漢語里面發(fā)揮什么功能,它在英語里面基本是無用的”,建議刪掉。譯文建議修改為:
The project is located at south bank of the middle reaches of Haihe River,and is preceded through one-time planning as well as phased construction.
漢語中的范疇詞結(jié)構(gòu)還有“開展……活動(dòng)”“負(fù)責(zé)……工作”“圍繞……主題”“加快……進(jìn)程”等等。
例2:中方認(rèn)為美方應(yīng)該全面客觀反應(yīng)中國政府和企業(yè)在知識產(chǎn)權(quán)保護(hù)方面所做的努力和取得的進(jìn)步,并進(jìn)行公正評價(jià),避免對中方企業(yè)造成不應(yīng)有的負(fù)面影響。
(中國商務(wù)部網(wǎng)站:http://www.mofcom.gov.cn/aarticle/ae/ah/diaocd/201201/20120107934247.html)
It is our view that the U.S.should have an overall objective reflection on the efforts and progress Ch inese government and enterprises have made in intellectual property right protection and should conduct a fair evaluation in or der to avoid making any negative impacts on Chinese enterprises that shouldn’t have.
(China Ministry of Commerce website:http://english.mofcom. gov. cn/aarticle/newsrelease/press/201202/20120207966907.html)
現(xiàn)代漢語常見“不必要修飾詞+名詞”結(jié)構(gòu),譬如“必要的措施”“不應(yīng)有的負(fù)面影響”等?!氨匾摹焙汀安粦?yīng)有的”都有語境自明性(self-evident)。直接翻譯會(huì)給英語讀者帶來過多冗余。還有一種是動(dòng)詞修飾詞,即副詞,如“充分尊重”“有力促進(jìn)”“堅(jiān)決貫徹”等。這些短語里面,“充分”“有力”等副詞的意義實(shí)際上隱藏在動(dòng)詞里,本身并無多大意義,不宜直接翻譯。
本例子傳遞的信息是中方要求美方客觀看待中國政府在知識產(chǎn)權(quán)方面所作的努力。修飾詞“所做的”和“取得的”的涵義都不證自明?!安粦?yīng)有的”也是如此。漢語常見這類修飾詞,以表強(qiáng)調(diào),然而其不符合英語的習(xí)慣,故應(yīng)該刪減。
It is our view that the U.S.should have an overall objective reflection on the efforts and progress byChinese government and enterprises in intellectual property right protection and should conduct a fair evaluation in order t o avoid any negative impacts on Chinese enterprises.
例3:鄭東新區(qū)位于國務(wù)院批準(zhǔn)的鄭州城市總體規(guī)劃的城市東部。為了使新區(qū)達(dá)到“高起點(diǎn)規(guī)劃,高品位設(shè)計(jì)和高質(zhì)量建設(shè)”的總體發(fā)展目標(biāo),并遵循國際通行慣例,對鄭東新區(qū)遠(yuǎn)景總體概念規(guī)劃實(shí)行設(shè)計(jì)征集。經(jīng)國內(nèi)外專家對征集方案反復(fù)評審,修改后的日本黑川紀(jì)章方案脫穎而出。
According to Zhengzhou's overall urban construction plan,as approved by the State Council,Zhengdong New District is located to the east of downtown Zhengzhou.In the international bid for its overall construction planning,the outstanding plan submitted by the Kisho Kurokawa Architecture and City Planning Institute won.—— (China Today:Vol.9,2002)
本例子傳遞的信息是日本黑川紀(jì)章方案贏得關(guān)于深圳整體建設(shè)規(guī)劃的標(biāo)。漢語常見諸如“高起點(diǎn)規(guī)劃,高品位設(shè)計(jì)和高質(zhì)量建設(shè)”夸張的口號。然而英語讀者較為關(guān)注事實(shí),口號顯得浮夸且毫無意義。故,譯者應(yīng)當(dāng)適當(dāng)將這些口號類表達(dá)刪減,更強(qiáng)調(diào)事實(shí)信息,正如該例子譯文所示。
例4:不斷提高對外貿(mào)易的質(zhì)量和水平……
(中國商務(wù)部網(wǎng)站:
http://english.mofcom.gov.cn/aarticle/subject/cv/lanmua/201204/20120408060064.html)
…continuously enhance the quality and level of foreign trade…
(China Ministry of Commerce website:http://english.mofcom.gov.cn/aarticle/newsrelease/significantnews/201204/20120408060057.html)
本例子傳遞的信息是提高對外貿(mào)易水平。漢語里常見“質(zhì)量”和“水平”搭配使用。根據(jù)《牛津高階英漢雙解詞典》(2004)的闡釋,“l(fā)evel”釋義為“a particular standard or quality”。由此可見,單詞“l(fā)evel”蘊(yùn)涵了“quality”。若直接翻譯,則造成了英語的語義重復(fù)。于是,譯文中“quality”建議刪除。
表示蘊(yùn)涵關(guān)系比如還有“人民生活水平”——“生活水平”蘊(yùn)涵了“人民”。
例5:中國作為最大的發(fā)展中國家,非洲作為發(fā)展中國家最集中的大陸,已攜手走過一段卓有成效的共同發(fā)展之路,中非經(jīng)貿(mào)合作已結(jié)出累累碩果。(中國商務(wù)部網(wǎng)站:http://english.mofcom.gov.cn/aarticle/subject/cv/lanmua/201201/20120107944510.html)
China,the largest developing country,and Africa,who has the largest number of developing countries,have jointly gone through a path of successful common development,and China-Africa trade and economic cooperationwas fruitful.
(China Ministry of Commerce website:http://english.mofcom.gov.cn/aarticle/newsrelease/significantnews/201201/20120107944503.html)
本例子傳遞的信息是中非合作的成果。漢語常見“總結(jié)性小句+細(xì)節(jié)”結(jié)構(gòu),而在語義上則重復(fù)。根據(jù)《牛津高階英漢雙解詞典》(2004)的闡釋,“successful”釋義為“achieving your aims or what was intended”。在中非合作這個(gè)語境下,“successful”包含在許多領(lǐng)域的成果,包括貿(mào)易經(jīng)濟(jì)。而第二小句強(qiáng)調(diào)“fruitful cooperation in economy and trade”,其語義則與“卓有成效的發(fā)展之路”顯得重復(fù)。筆者建議將兩個(gè)小句的語義進(jìn)行整合,使譯文更加簡潔、自然又準(zhǔn)確。修改如下:
China,the largest developing country,and Africa,who has the largest number of developing countries,have jointly gone through a fruitful path of cooperation in economy and trade.
例6:近年來,中非經(jīng)貿(mào)關(guān)系全面快速發(fā)展,逐步形成多層次、寬領(lǐng)域、全覆蓋的合作格局,在雙方經(jīng)濟(jì)社會(huì)發(fā)展中發(fā)揮著不可替代的作用。(中國商務(wù)部網(wǎng)站:http://www. mofcom. gov. cn/aarticle/ae/ah/diaocd/201111/20111107832972.html)
China-Africa economic and trade relations have witnessed a comprehensive and rapid development in recent years,and an all- around,wide-ranged and multi-level cooperative pattern was formed,playing an irreplaceable role in bilateral economic and social development.
(China Ministry of Commerce website:http://english.mofcom. gov. cn/aarticle/newsrelease/press/201112/20111207856567.html)
本例子傳遞的信息是中非合作格局對雙方經(jīng)濟(jì)發(fā)展的意義。這是另一個(gè)“總結(jié)性小句+細(xì)節(jié)”結(jié)構(gòu)。根據(jù)《牛津高階英漢雙解詞典》(2004)的闡釋,“comprehensive”釋義為“including all,or almost all,the items,details,facts,information,etc.that may be concerned”。在此語境下,“全面(comprehensive)”蘊(yùn)涵了“多層次、寬領(lǐng)域、全覆蓋 (all-around,wide-ranged and multi-level)”。筆者建議譯文修改如下:
China-Africa economic and trade relations have witnessed a comprehensive and rapid development in recent years,playing an irreplaceable role in bilateral economic and social development.
2.文化規(guī)約。
文化冗余指的是具體文化語境下源語讀者能夠推斷的隱性語義。由于文化差異性及特殊性,這種情況下往往無法直接翻譯,否則目標(biāo)讀者無法解碼。建議加注,或必要時(shí)刪減。
例7:我們希望,美方不要把經(jīng)濟(jì)問題政治化、不要“自己得病卻讓別人吃藥”,不要做損人不利己的事情,更不要“搬起石頭砸自己的腳”。(中國商務(wù)部網(wǎng)站:http://www.mofcom. gov. cn/aarticle/ae/ah/diaocd/201110/20111007787750.html)
We hope that U.S.government will not politicize economic issues,not“force others to take medicine while it itself is sick”,not do anything that hurts others while does not good to itself or just shot themselves in the foot.(China Ministry of Commerce website:http://english.mofcom.gov.cn/aarticle/newsrelease/press/201111/20111107809699.html)
本例子傳遞的信息是中國希望美國不要將經(jīng)濟(jì)問題政治化?!鞍崞鹗^砸自己的腳”是漢語習(xí)語,意為“為自己的惡行承擔(dān)后果”。英語里面正好有與其意義相似的諺語——“stew in one's own juice”或“fry in one's own grease”。因此,筆者建議使用該對等表達(dá)即可:
We hope that U.S.government will not politicize economic issues,not“force others to take medicine while it itself is sick”,not do anything that hurts others while does not good to itself or just stew in his own juice.
例8:一是由于“家電下鄉(xiāng)”首批試點(diǎn)、“以舊換新”等消費(fèi)促進(jìn)政策即將到期,近期家電需求增長加快,提前釋放了部分消費(fèi)需求。(中國商務(wù)部網(wǎng)站:http://www.mofcom.gov.cn/aarticle/ae/ah/diaocd/201112/20111207880840.html)
Firstly,as policies promoting sales in home appliances to rural areas and that promoting sales in home ap pliance trade-in are to expire,demand for home appliance accelerated recently,which released some consumption demand.
(China Ministry of Commerce website:http://english.mofcom. gov. cn/aarticle/newsrelease/press/201112/20111207900934.html)
本例子傳遞的信息是消費(fèi)政策引起家電需求增加?!凹译娤锣l(xiāng)”和“以舊換新”都是漢語典型的政策術(shù)語,分別意為“促進(jìn)農(nóng)村地區(qū)的家電銷售”和“促進(jìn)家電舊物換新物”。特別是,“下鄉(xiāng)”的內(nèi)涵為“以各種方式給農(nóng)村地區(qū)提供幫助”。除非加注,否則目標(biāo)讀者無法解碼,正如該例子的譯文所示。
本文以經(jīng)濟(jì)新聞為例,探索了語內(nèi)冗余成分的英譯策略。首先指出一定量的冗余是語言的內(nèi)在屬性,確保語內(nèi)交際的成功。語際交際中,為了使譯文簡明有意義,某些冗余成分無法直譯,應(yīng)當(dāng)適當(dāng)采取增譯或減譯的技巧。
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