Abstract:

As of early 2022, the “Library of Chinese Classics” series had translated and published 112 English versions of Chinese classical works. From a certain perspective, the domestic effort in translating Chinese classics into English could be considered to have reached a temporary conclusion. So, apart from continuing translations into other languages, what should be the next step for the translation of Chinese classics in China? This paper proposes four suggestions: historical documentation, comparative studies, expansion and in-depth exploration, and personnel training. Specifically, historical documentation involves examining and organizing the history of translating Chinese classics into foreign languages; comparative studies aim to enhance the quality of future translations through comparisons of different translations; expansion and in-depth exploration refer to continually broadening the scope of translated classics and deepening understanding and reflection of this scope; personnel training focuses on improving translators’ proficiency in Chinese, English, and cultural knowledge, particularly their ability to read classical Chinese. The author offers specific suggestions for each of these four aspects.

Keywords: translation of Chinese classics; collection and sorting; comparative study; expansion and in-depth exploration; personnel training

摘要：

截至2022年年初，“大中华文库”丛书已经翻译出版了112种英译中华经典著作。从某种角度来看，国内的典籍英译工作可以算告一段落。那么，除了继续开展其他语种的翻译外，我国典籍翻译的下一步应该怎么走?本文提出了4点建议，即史料整理、比较研究、拓展深入和人才培养。其中，史料整理是对典籍外译历史的考察和整理；比较研究是通过对译品的比较提高未来翻译的质量；拓展深入是指不断扩大所译典籍的范围，并持续加深对这一范围的认识与思考；人才培养则注重提高译员的中文、英文和文化知识水平，特别是中文的文言文阅读能力。在这4个方面，笔者都提出了一些具体的建议。

关键词: 典籍翻译, 整理, 比较, 拓展, 人才培养