Journal of Beijing International Studies University ›› 2022, Vol. 44 ›› Issue (2): 3-16.DOI: 10.12002/j.bisu.379

• Scholarly Forum •     Next Articles

What Are Good Translations?

Jiang Wangqi()   

  1. Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
  • Received:2021-01-27 Online:2022-05-23 Published:2022-04-30

好翻译的标准

姜望琪()   

  1. 北京大学外国语学院, 北京 100871
  • 作者简介:姜望琪,北京大学外国语学院教授,100871,研究方向:语用学、系统功能语法、英汉对比及翻译等。电子邮箱: jgwgq@pku.edu.cn

Abstract:

This paper intends to propose a set of simple and easy criteria for good translations. We begin with a discussion of “Xin Da Ya” (信达雅) by Yan Fu, what do they mean? Are Yan Fu’s translations up to the standards? Then we come to our own proposals, substantiated with examples: (1) a translation should not be in conflict with the central theme of the original; (2) translated works should be readable; and (3) the translator should aim at both spiritual likeness and formal likeness at the same time. The conclusion is: a translation will by its nature be at variance with the original in some way. In other words, a translator will have to do a hard job within all kinds of constraints.

Keywords: Xin Da Ya; accuracy; readability; spiritual likeness; formal likeness

摘要:

本文尝试提出一个通俗易懂、切实可行的翻译标准。文章首先分析了严复“信、达、雅”的内涵,讨论了严复的翻译实践;然后结合翻译实例,深入论证了好翻译的标准,即译作不能违背原作的主要思想、译文要有可读性、神似与形似兼顾;最后进行归纳总结,得出如下结论:好的翻译应在似与不似之间,是直译和意译的结合。

关键词: 信达雅, 准确性, 可读性, 神似, 形似

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