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语言是文化的载体,同时又是文化的重要组成部分。而语词又是语言中最活跃的因素,最敏感地反映了生活和社会思想的变化,是语言中最能反映文化特征的部分。所谓语词就是指词和词组,词组的范围包括各种固定说法、习惯用语和习俗语,语词都有:音义的理由和来源,语词的产生、变异和都包含着丰富、复杂的文化信息,如地理环境、社会、、风俗民情、、审美取向、价值观念及思维方式等等,其中最能体现浓厚的民族色彩和鲜明:的文化个性,体现不同民族,不同历史文化的特点,使不同民族的语言呈现出不同的特性。语词的翻译要求译者在广泛地、准确地了解他国文化中的观念、信仰、习俗、价值标准等方面的同时,忠实传达本国文化的价值与灵魂,才能真正做到不同文化间的交流论文。
二、文化语境——语词翻译的重要因素
美国学者D.A.Swinnty的实验表明,语境是影响词一汇提取的主要因素,忽略了语词词义提取时意义与语境的结合,不能达到对句子的充分理解,就不能对语词在语境中的意义正确翻译。
语言界语境最早始于伦敦功能学派创始人马林诺夫斯基对语境的定义,他认为语境可分为情景语境和文化语境。情景语境是指语言行为发出时周围情况,事情的性质,参与者的关系、地点、方式等。文化语境是指任何一个语言使用所属的某个特定的言语社团,以及每个言语社团长期形成的历史、文化、风俗、事情、习俗、价值标准和思维方式等。由于不同民族所处的地理、人文历史和文化环境不同,各民族的人们对外部世界反映产生的印象和概念也会产生差异,所以不同民族文化背景使人们对事物会产生不同的认知概念,因而产生了包含不同文化意义的语词。随着语言的发展,社会文化因素不断渗透到语词选择和定型的各个环节,语词的特定音义是一个民族各文化因素的折射和呈现,能够细致、全面地体现民族文化的特性。因此,语词的翻译依赖着它本身所存在的语言文化环境,文化语境包含的诸多因素,如地理环境、社会历史、政治经济、风俗民情、、审美取向、价值观念及思维方式等等直接影响着语词的翻译。
三、文化语境与语词翻译
翻译学的目的论认为,翻译是人类行为研究的范畴,人类的交际受语言环境的制约,而语言环境又根植于文化习惯,因此翻译必然受到译出文化和译入文化的影响。可见,不同的文化语境决定着语词翻译中词义的提取,也体现着译者对不同文化的判断和理解。本文将探讨文化语境中诸多因素对语词翻译的影响,以及相应的翻译。
1.地理环境差异与语词翻译。地理文化是指所处的地理环境而形成的文化。由于各民族生活空间不同,因而自然环境各方面的差异影响不同民族对同一事物或现象的看法各有不同。特定的地理文化赋予了语词特定的意义。
2.社会历史差异与语词翻译。历史文化是特定历史发展进程和社会遗产的沉淀所形成的文化,各民族的历史发展不同,因而各自都有含有特定的人物和事件的语词来体现本民族鲜明的历史文化色彩。例如,中“tomeetone’sWaterloo''''’(遭遇滑铁卢)是源于十九世纪拿破仑在比利时小城滑铁卢惨败一事,汉语中“败走麦城”是指古时三国的蜀国名将关羽被打败退兵麦城一事,两个语词分别来源于不同的历史事件,但喻义相同,都是指惨遭失败。因此这类语词的翻译需要了解各民族历史文化才能使译文更具文化个性。
3、习俗人情差异与语词翻译。语言来源于生活,生活习俗与人情世故在一定程度上制约着语言的表达系统。例如:数词“八”在汉语中是现今最受人们喜爱的数额——因为其发音与“发”谐音,迎合人们发财致富的心理,而英语中“eight''''’则没有这种意义。
4.差异。对人们的生活有着重要的,特定的产生了语词的特定含义。中西方的不同,也影响着英汉语词的翻译。在西方,以基督教为主的宗教文化深刻影响着人们的语言表达,基督教产生时,欧洲大陆处于四分五裂的状态,世俗的王权只有超越一切世俗力量之上的上帝才能收服人们的“野性”,于是基督教应运而生,人们的语言也深深的打上了民族宗教色彩的烙印。如:“Manproposes.Goddisposes''''’(由人提议,上帝决断)“Godhelpsthosewhohelpsthemselves''''’(天佑自救者)。在以佛教为主导的传统宗教文化中,“老天爷”成了佛教徒心目中的天神。许多语词来源于佛教、道教。如“三生有幸”中的“三生”源于佛教,指前生、今生、来生,该词语用来形容机遇非常难得,可见宗教文化是构成英汉语言各自特色的重要方面。了解了宗教文化的差异,就能更准确地表达语词的文化意义。
5.神话传说与经典著作的差异。不同民族的神话传说与经典作品中产生了许许多多的习语与典故,反映了民族风味、世态,使各民族的语言充满了情趣与活力,具有独特的表现力。如中:“Thinkwiththewise,buttalkwiththevulgar''''’(与智者同思,与俗子同语)出自古希腊格言:“swansong''''’是根据西方传说swan(天鹅)临死时发出美妙的歌声,用来比喻“诗人、家等的最后的作品”。又如“Sourgrapes''''’(酸葡萄)出自《伊索寓言》,比喻“可要可不及的东西”,汉语中有“万事俱行,只欠东风”、“逼上梁山”、“叶公好龙”等,以上例子说明在民族各自丰富的文化遗产中产生的语词包含着丰富的民族文化意味,构成了各民族语言表达方式的鲜明独特性,是其他语言文化所不能替代的。在翻译过程中应尊重各民族文化词语的特点与个性,保留语言存在和表现的形式。
关键词:文化;翻译;异化;归化
1文化和翻译
1.1文化和翻译的关系
如今,翻译和文化之间的联系越来越紧密。我们在这里提到的文化是指广义上的文化,不是指如城市、组织,学校等实体,而是指如思想、习俗、家庭构成,语言等非实物的东西。简单说来,文化就是指一个社会的整个存在的方式,人们的生活行为方式。
正是由于翻译涉及到两种文化两种语言之间的转换,自然而然文化和语言二者的关系就出现了。语言和文化是不可分割的,没有语言,文化就无法存在和发展;而语言只有在反映某种文化时才具备自身的意义。因为翻译首先要处理的就是文字,而文字只有在与文化相联系的时候才被赋予真正的意义,这就要求译者在处理文字问题的时候要深层次的理解文化内涵。
由于人类社会要通过翻译来进行文化交流,在此基础上,我们应该重视语言中的文化因素,尤其是在面对翻译当中的一些特殊问题的时候,通过在翻译理论的研究当中广泛全面、系统、具体的对比区别其相同点和不同点,识别共通之处,辨别特殊性。翻译不是简单的将语言的传统意义进行转换,而是最大限度的将原著中所有的文化韵味输送出去,传达各种文化信号,重现不同国家中根深蒂固的文化背景。
1.2翻译的目的
大致说来,翻译的目的就是消除或减少原著和译本之间的差别。的确,在翻译中会遇到一些巧合,就是相同的语言规则适用于两种不同的语言体系,但相对而言,语言形成完全相同的这种情况并不多见。
2异化与归化
2.1定义和要求
LaurenceVenuti将涉及文化差异的不同的翻译处理方式划为两类:异化和归化。异化是以源语言的文化为中心(SLculture-oriented),而归化则以目标语言的文化为中心(TLculture-oriented)。
这两种译法的双方都有各自的倡导者和观点。既然我们都知道语言与文化是紧密联系的,因此当我们进行翻译时,文化因素应该跟语言本身受到同等重视。而如何才能使双方和谐统一是我们考虑的首要问题。
2.2论点
在何时何地采用异化还是归化是个问题。在英语和汉语中就有很多的文化差异。在各自的语言中存在大量发源于它们各自的民族的独特文化的表达方式,如典故、宗教用语、文化用词、习语和新词汇等,它们都与源语言国文化有着紧密的联系。考虑到这一点,以下列举出一些关于异化和归化这两种翻译方式的例子和解决方法。
3例子和方法
3.1典故
对于一些反映先进文化和被经常用到的的典故,我们可以采用异化的翻译方式以此了解和熟悉其独特文化。
很多与人物事件有关的典故都来自于英国文学这座宝库,特别是莎士比亚的作品中。莎士比亚戏剧当中的很多角色都代表着跟他们有着相同特点或性格特征的人。所以如果说一个人是“罗密欧”就意味着这个人年轻英俊,热情激昂,神采奕奕,并且很有女人缘。如果称一个人为“猪八戒”的话就表示他跟《西游记》中那头粗鲁、爱寻欢作乐、行为怪异但又有些可爱的猪有些相似之处。还有很多来自于莎士比亚戏剧和后英美文学的角色和名字成为了家喻户晓的词,如“夏洛克”、“葛朗台”等等。
Whokeepscompanywiththewolf,willlearntohowl.——近狼者会嗷
Toweepcrocodile''''stear——流鳄鱼眼泪
3.2宗教用语
宗教也是文化传播的一个途径。它是一个民族的信仰问题,绝不可滥用和误用。因此要遵从他们的信仰,异化这种方式在宗教用语的翻译中起到了显著的作用。在讲英语的国家中,基督教占主要地位,因此不难发现很多对人物、事件的引用是源于基督教的圣书——《圣经》:
Amessiah————-救世主弥塞尔
在中国,佛教和道教也是长期流传的文化的来源:
临时抱佛脚——toembraceBuddha''''sfeetinone''''shourofneed————-seekhelpattheleastmoment.
对归化处理不当会造成冲突和目标语言的读者对文化的错误理解,例如:
“TherewassomerealfalsitywhentheycametotreattheGoddessofMercyasafashionplateofthecourttoday.”
译法一:中国人渐渐把慈悲女神描绘成穿着时髦的宫廷贵妇形象,这可严重走样了。
译法二:中国人渐渐把大慈大悲观世音菩萨描绘成穿着时髦的宫廷贵妇形象,这可严重走样了。
佛教是在中国流传最广,影响最深远的宗教,但是译法一很难让人能理解“慈悲女神”就是他们所熟知的“观音菩萨”,因为佛教中的人物已经被换成了希腊神话和罗马神话中的人物。
3.3文化用词
在各种文化中都有一些独特的词语或短语。也就是说,这个词具有文化特征并且能把这种文化特征带到某个社会文化的群体当中去。当它被用于跨文化交流时,就称之为独特文化词或文化用词。
因为源语言和目标语言之间无法完全等同,我们最好采用异化的翻译方式来履行翻译的使命。
举例如下:关于物质文化,西方国家有我们以前从未听说的sandwich和hotdog,译者将它们介绍给我们中国人就称之为“三明治”和“热狗”。而中国的饺子和豆腐被引进国外就称之为jiaozi和tofu.还如,中国有“旗袍”cheong-sam;英国有swallowtail“燕尾服”;美国有jacket“夹克”。
关于社会文化,外国人都知道“中国功夫”Chinesekongfu.在英语中,有他们的church“教堂”andmissionary“传教士”;而在汉语中有“道教”Taoism和“阴阳”yinyang。
3.4习语
习语是指人们长期以来习用的、形式简洁而意思精辟的、定型的词组或短语。在英汉翻译当中有两类习语。一类是在一个相似的文化背景下渐渐形成的,通常情况下将它们归化双方都不会引起文化误解,如:
Selfdo,selfhave——自作自受
雨后春笋——springuplikemushroomsafteravernal
而有些习语用异化的方式更为恰当,如:
Armedtotheteeth——武装到牙齿
3.5新词汇
新词是指随着一个社会中最近或当时发生的事件,出现的人物,发明的产品等的出现而产生的新的说法。
在英语当中有的新词汇在中文中没有对等物,我们就要再充分理解原生词这个首要条件下根据中文的规则想办法创造出与他们相对应的词语。这种情况就要采取归化的翻译方法:
back-to-back——双往返机票
thumbtribe——手机一族
还有一些新生词汇由于解释起来过于复杂,不容易采用归化的翻译方式就最好异化这些词:
bungiejumping——蹦极跳
Namitechnique——纳米技术
参考文献
[1]Eugene,Nida.Language,CultureandTranslation[J].外国语,1993,(3).
[2]郭建中.翻译中的文化因素:归化与异化[J].外国语,1998,(2).
[3]李庆生,郭著章.英汉互译使实用教程[M].武汉:武汉大学出版社,1996.
摘要:语词是语言中最活跃的因素,最敏感地反映了社会生活和社会思想的变化,是语言中最能反映文化特征的部分,具有浓厚的民族色彩和鲜明的文化个性。因此,一方面,译者应尽可能忠实地反映原文的文化背景和文化色彩,再现原文的异域情调,另一方面又要充分考虑目的语读者的接受程度,恰当地“归化”,以更好地译出原意。
一、引言
语言是文化的载体,同时又是文化的重要组成部分。而语词又是语言中最活跃的因素,最敏感地反映了社会生活和社会思想的变化,是语言中最能反映文化特征的部分。所谓语词就是指词和词组,词组的范围包括各种固定说法、习惯用语和习俗语。每一种语言都同特定民族的历史有着特殊的“血缘”关系,而语词就产生于特殊的历史、地理和人文环境之中,是一个民族的历史传统、社会风俗、认知特点和审美习惯等文化因素的折射和呈现。所以,语词承载着各民族的文化信息,浓缩了各民族的文化景观,反映出各民族的人文心态,代表着不同语言的文化背景,具有鲜明、独特的民族特点。英国语言学家莱昂斯•约翰精辟地指出“特定的社会的语言是这个社会文化的组成部分,每一种语言在词语上的差异都会反映使用这种语言的社会事物、习俗以及各种活动在文化方面的重要特征”。因此,语词的翻译要求译者在广泛地、准确地了解他国文化中的观念、信仰、习俗、价值标准等方面的同时,忠实传达本国文化的价值与灵魂,真正做到跨文化交流。
二、文化语境———影响语词翻译的重要因素
文化语境属于非语言语境的范畴,这一概念最早由Mali-nowski(1923)提出,它是研究语言使用和功能的语用学研究的范畴之一,是指某一言语社团特定的社会规范和习俗,它主要分为物质文化和精神文化。近年来,随着语用学研究的不断深入和发展,文化语境的范围进一步拓宽。Samovara1.(1998)认为文化语境包括知识的贮存、经历、价值、行为、态度、、时间概念、空间关系、学科领域等诸多方面。ClaireKramsch(1998)进一步解释了文化语境这一概念。认为部落经济、社会组织、家庭模式、繁殖习俗、季节循环、时间和空间概念都是文化语境的主要要素。一方面,超地域的文化共同性相对保证了译文读者从本族文化角度出发也能从译文中得到与原文读者大致相同的感受。另一方面,因为各族文化的个性,要在异质中寻求对策并不是件轻松的事,不同的文化观念会形成局部的交叉碰撞和冲突。对于外来文化,人们最易于理解和接受的是外来文化的表层结构,即“硬文化”部分。
用一种语言文化把另一种文化的文本再现出来,其将不可避免地反映出两种语言、文化的特征。翻译的作用在于将源语言文化中的文本移植到另一种目的语言文化中去。因此,文化语境在翻译中起到了相当大的作用,文化环境中诸多因素对语词翻译产生深刻的影响。
1.地理环境差异与语词翻译地理文化是指所处的地理环境而形成的文化。由于各民族生活空间不同,因而自然环境各方面的差异影响不同民族对同一事物或现象的看法各有不同。特定的地理文化赋予了语词特定的意义。如汉族习语“有眼不识泰山”泰山位于我国山东省,我国古人以泰山来比喻敬仰的人或重大有价值的事物。英语中也有此类习语。如:AllroadsleadtoRome.(条条道路通罗马)。
2.社会历史差异与语词翻译历史文化是特定历史发展进程和社会遗产的沉淀所形成的文化,各民族的历史发展不同,因而各自都有含有特定的人物和事件的语词来体现本民族鲜明的历史文化色彩。例如,英语中“tomeetone’sWaterloo”(遭遇滑铁卢)是源于十九世纪拿破仑在比利时小城滑铁卢惨败一事;汉语中有“败走麦城”,是指古时三国的蜀国名将关羽被打败退兵麦城一事,两个语词分别来源于不同的历史事件,但喻义相同,都是指惨遭失败。因此这类语词的翻译需要了解各民族历史文化才能使译文更具文化个性。
3.习俗人情差异与语词翻译语言来源于生活,生活习俗与人情世故在一定程度上制约着语言的表达系统。例如:数词“八”在汉语中是现今最受人们喜爱的数额———因为其发音与“发”谐音,迎合人们发财致富的心理,而英语中“eight”则没有这种意义。
4.差异对人们的生活有着重要的影响,特定的产生了语词的特定含义。中西方的不同,也影响着英汉语词的翻译。在西方,以基督教为主的宗教文化深刻影响着人们的语言表达。基督教产生时,欧洲大陆处于四分五裂的状态,世俗的王权只有超越一切世俗力量之上的上帝才能收服人们的“野性”,于是基督教应运而生,人们的语言也深深地打上了民族宗教色彩的烙印。如:Manproposes,Goddisposes.(谋事在人,成事在天。);Godhelpsthosewhohelpthemselves.(天佑自救者)。而在以佛教为主导的中国传统宗教文化中,“老天爷”成了天神。
5.神话传说与经典著作的差异不同民族的神话传说与经典作品中产生了许许多多的习语与典故,反映了民族风味、社会世态,使各民族的语言充满了情趣与活力,具有独特的表现力。如英语中:“Thinkwiththewise,buttalkwiththevulgar.”(与智者同思,与俗子同语)出自古希腊格言:“swansong”是根据西方传说swan(天鹅)临死时发出美妙的歌声,用来比喻“诗人、音乐家等的最后的作品”。又如“SoOurgrapes”(酸葡萄)出自《伊索寓言》,比喻“可要可不及的东西”,汉语中有“万事俱行,只欠东风”、“逼上梁山”、“叶公好龙”等,以上例子说明在民族各自丰富的文化遗产中产生的语词包含着丰富的民族文化意味,构成了各民族语言表达方式的鲜明独特性,是其他语言文化所不能替代的。在翻译过程中应尊重各民族文化词语的特点与个性,保留语言存在和表现的形式。
6.价值观与审美意识的差异由于文化的差异导致人们的价值观及审美意识的不同,导致人们对同一事物有着不同的甚至截然相反的观点和看法。在价值观念方面体现在个体与集体的观念不同,个人价值至上是西方文化的特点,英语中有不少表现语词的个人进取个人力量、个人意志,如:Wherethereisawill,thereisaway.(有志者,事竟成);Everymanisthearchitectsofhisownfor-tune.”(自然的幸福靠自己);Youhavetoblowyourownhorn.(应吹自己的号角)。与西方“海洋民族”相对的中国“农耕民族”则崇尚社团价值至上,无我精神。如:“单丝不成线,独木不成林”、“大公无私”。群体取向使中国人性格内向、含蓄,不愿引人注目,因而产生了“树大招风,人大惹议”、“人怕出名猪怕壮”等习语。在审美取向方面,中国传统喜庆偏向红色装饰,而西方则多为白色;汉语中的红茶,英译为“blacktea”。以上例子表明,英汉文化在价值观和审美观方面的差异影响语词的翻译。英汉民族存在的文化差异决定了语词表达形式及词义的选择,在翻译过程中,译者应充分考虑原语词所包含的民族文化与语言个性,充分理解语词所蕴含的独特的文化意味,尽可能结合原文的文化背景,保持原文的语言风格、语言形式及艺术特色。
三、总结
将一种语言译为不同文化的另一种语言并非容易的事,而将特定文化语境中的语词翻译成同样体现文化特色的语词就更是难上加难,有时难免出现引起读者误解和曲解的翻译。这就要求译者应特别谨慎,仔细分析隐含在语词背后的容易引起语义冲突的文化因素,根据具体语篇,在不违背原文语言的表达基础上再现原文语词的文化意蕴,达到忠实原文的目的,真正实现两种文化的沟通与移植。因此,译者应该采取审慎的态度,不能一概而论,而要根据具体的情况区别对待,对能移植过来的,尽可能保存其语言表现形式,否则,就得采取其他相应的变通办法,以传递其意义、意味。只有这样,才能既忠实地再现原文的文化意蕴,又不至于违背译入语的表达习惯和译入语的文化产生冲突。
参考文献:
[1]Bell,andTranslating:TheoryandPrac-tice[M].LondonandNewYork:Longman,1991.
[2]王东风.文化缺省与翻译中的连贯重构[J].外国语,1997,(6).
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[4]关孜慧.文化语境与翻译[J].外语与外语教学,2003,(3).
1.翻译能力的培养可以促进大学生整体学习能力良好的翻译能力可以提高学生的英语阅读能力。由于惯性思维的限制,学生在英语阅读、听力的学习过程中遇到长句或者比较难理解的句子时,常习惯于将句子译成汉语,具有较好的翻译能力,可以有效地解决这一问题。当然良好的翻译能力也可以提高学生的口语及书面表达能力。许多学生在开口或落笔前常用汉语构思,后用英语表达,而良好的翻译能力能够让学生用英语准确表达母语,进而提升口语及写作水平。
2.翻译能力的培养可以改进大学生实际应用能力随着全球化发展趋势的加强,国与国之间的交际越来越多,英语作为一种国际性语言,应用广泛。在科研方面,各大网站中的资料、数据以及一些重要的科学论文多数是用英语完成的;在工作方面,外企的工作语言多是英语;在生活方面,越来越多的外国人进入中国,因此提高大学生的英语实际应用能力就显得尤为重要了。大学生想浏览国外网站,熟悉外国文化,与外国朋友沟通,就需要加强跨文化翻译能力,提高自身的跨文化交际能力。笔者认为,跨文化交际能力培养的重点应该放在大学英语的翻译教学中,因为翻译能力是听说读写能力所不能替代的。翻译本身就是一种跨文化交际活动,它不单是语际间的转换,更是一种跨文化转换。翻译教学以及学习中的很多情况表明对原文理解的主要障碍并不是由语言本身造成的,而是由于对英美等国家的文化背景知识了解不够造成的。
3.翻译能力的培养可以提高学生英语考试成绩2013年以来,随着大学英语四、六级考试改革的推进,翻译考察比重的上升也说明了国家对翻译能力的培养的重视程度。2013年大学英语四级考试中,新题型中翻译题的分值比重由原来的5%提高至15%,而且考察的方式也发生很大的变化,由原来的词组、短语等的考察转变成段落翻译;同时扩大了考察的范围,内容涉及到中国的历史、文化、经济和社会发展等话题。以往单句翻译时,考查的重点是语法现象,而现在的段落翻译,考查的则是学生跨文化翻译能力。这些变化从侧面体现出翻译教学在大学英语教学中的重要地位,因此大学英语教学中应该加大跨文化翻译教学力度。
二、大学英语翻译教学的现状
1.大学英语翻译课缺乏整体规划限于授课时数的限制,加之各高校对跨文化翻译缺乏重视,在安排大学英语的整体教学规划中缺乏对翻译课的安排。主要体现在大学英语课没制定专门的翻译授课计划,没有安排固定的翻译课时,没有统一的翻译教学材料,缺少系统的翻译教案。大学英语翻译教学主要精力放在了课文翻译及为数不多的课后翻译习题上。虽然有些教师在课上可能提出某些翻译理论、翻译方法,但随意性太强,缺乏整体规划。
2.高校对大学英语翻译教学重视不够目前,各大高校的教学安排中,大学英语翻译教学在整个英语教学中所占比重较小。大学英语教学的主干课程一直是综合英语课程,主要为了提高学生阅读能力。近几年,随着考试指挥棒的变化,听说课也得到了更多的重视。很多高校都配备了先进的语音室、多媒体教室,设置英语角,合理安排学时训练学生听说能力,在考试中设立单独口语考试。但是大学英语翻译课程却甚少受到重视,没有专门的翻译训练,没有单独的翻译考试,学生翻译水平的高低对学生英语成绩影响不大。随着社会全球化的发展,英语作为一种交际工具其重要性毋庸置疑。但是大学英语翻译教学的现状却使得翻译教学无法跟上社会发展的脚步,学生的翻译能力得不到培养,也影响学生跨文化交际能力的提高。
三、大学英语教学中翻译能力培养的策略
德国功能主义翻译目的理论中指出,翻译目的、文本功能和译入语的文化环境都是功能主义在翻译文本时要重视的要素,而这些要素也是英语翻译教学中需要考虑的问题。以翻译目的论为指导,在教学过程中讲解增补、删减、直译、改译、解释等翻译方法,有助于学生更好地掌握翻译技巧,提高翻译能力。结合目前大学英语教学现状,笔者认为可以采用以下几种办法。
1.调整教学大纲,完善英语教学体系提高学生翻译能力,首先要提高高校对大学英语翻译教学的重视程度,制定出有效合理的大学英语教学指导方针,提高翻译教学在大学英语教学中的地位。教学大纲指明了英语教学的方向,它的指导作用是不可忽视的。因此,要在科学调研、论证及教研的前提下调整不合时宜的教学大纲,制定出符合时代要求的教学方案,安排合理的授课时数,切实提高学生的跨文化翻译能力。
2.改变教学内容,加强跨文化翻译培养目前,大学英语课程教学中选用的教材多是综合教程,主要培养学生的阅读能力,其中没有涉及或者是很少涉及到翻译能力训练,仅在课后习题中有句子翻译的练习。所以,要提高学生的跨文化翻译能力水平,就必须在大学英语教学的内容上下功夫,根据课时有步骤、有计划地加入翻译理论、翻译技巧、西方文化、跨文化交际等内容,并根据学生的学习状况及社会需求集体教研,适时调整翻译教学的内容,达到提高学生跨文化翻译水平的目的。
3.运用多种手段,提高学生学习兴趣在大学英语教学中,翻译教学和学习是比较枯燥的,而且学习难度大,难点多,学生往往对翻译缺乏兴趣,这就需要英语教师在授课过程中采用多种教学手段来提升学生的学习兴趣。在讲授翻译技巧和翻译练习时,可以适当加入翻译材料的文化背景知识,这样不仅可以扩大学生的知识面,同时还能激发学生学习翻译知识的兴趣。多媒体教学也是提高学生翻译学习兴趣的一个重要手段,精心设计的多媒体课件可以提高学生的学习兴趣,而设计丰富多彩的第二课堂,将学生分成小组,完成翻译任务,也是学生喜欢的教学方法。
4.重视理论学习,提高翻译技巧大学英语教学中几乎没有翻译理论和翻译技巧的教学内容,这很难满足现代社会对学生英语翻译能力的需求,所以增加翻译理论和技巧的教学内容是必要的。适当的在英语翻译教学中讲授翻译理论,让学生对翻译课程有初步的认识,从而让翻译理论来指导学生的翻译学习,提高其翻译能力。同时,应选择适合非英语专业学生学习的跨文化交际理论,在课堂教学过程中适当介绍一些跨文化理论,如不确定因素减少理论、适应理论、文化构建主义理论、文化冲突理论。笔者认为,在大学英语教学中,可有机地把这些理论融入进去。
四、结语
(1)语汇的不足
源语词汇所承载的文化信息在译语中不存在,找不到对等的语汇。科技文本中经常会提到有关我国的传统医学,其中很多用语都是独有的,无法在西方文化中找到对等的词汇进行解释。中医中“刮痧”一词就很典型,西方文化中没有这个词,并且西方人也不相信中药与刮痧就可以治病,这就是“文化不对等”现象的典型体现。因此,只能以最大程度描述其治疗过程与使用工具为基础对其进行翻译。而面对“五行(金、木、水、火、土)”的翻译,也只能言不尽义地直译为five elements (metal、wood、water、fire、earth)。此外,我国所特有的阴阳八卦以及属相等方面,西方文化中也没有对应的词汇可以与之对等。“据说,曾经美联社的一位编辑打电话给一位美籍华裔学者,请教中国‘羊年’的‘羊’该用sheep(绵羊)、goa(t山羊)、还是lamb(羔羊)?这位学识渊博的学者经过一番冥思苦想后,只能如实相告‘I’msorry。’。
(2)源语词语与目的语词语的不同意义
每个民族都具有自己独特的文化,词汇作为民族之间传达信息与表达思想的工具,具有不同的民族性和强烈的时代性。译文要符合目的语习惯,不能造成负面影响,因此在进行文化的广告宣传的时候,在广告的内容涉及和广告商标的设计之中,就应该充分考虑到文化的差异性,进行文化内涵的翻译。
然而,我国也有不少因忽略文化差异而严重影响产品外销的译例。在中国文化中,龙是尊严的化身,是中华民族的象征。但在英文文化中,由于《圣经》中将与上帝作对的撒旦称为the great dragon,在现代英语中,dragon常用来表达“凶暴之徒”的含义。所以,在进行翻译相关的宣传内容时,如果根据dragon的名词直译会对中国文化的传播产生一些负面的影响,不利于外国人理解中国文化。在翻译“以外贸企业为龙头”时需要注意“龙头”的翻译,译为“with foreign trade firms as the locomotive”,此处为了避免歧义巧妙地用火车头代替了龙头。再如“白翎”牌钢笔,在出口时直译为White Feather,没有很好的销量。滞销的原因是英文中经常用to show the white feather 来表达“临阵脱逃”的意思。同样有例子举出,有一男女内衣商标为“紫罗兰”,竟然将其译为“Pansy”。“Pansy”不仅有“三色紫罗兰”的含义,也指“女性化的男子”。这样商标的产品怎有好的销路。不仅广告宣传过程会出现这样的失误,旅游景点的翻译中也容易引起误会。如有一个著名的景点——“清明上河园”,曾有人将其译为Park with“Up-the-River-on-Chingming Festival”。仔细分析就发现这一翻译会让别人产生错误的理解,因为“up the river”是一个俚语,指“坐监狱”,而不是“上河”的意思。在美国硅谷地区也有自己独特的文化,体现在依据日常表达——“What’s your space?”,其中“space”是指“谋生的手段”,而不能将其译为“空间”、“宇宙”。再如,在祝酒词中表达对苏格兰人民祝福时,如果将“为了中国和英国人民之间的友谊而干杯”译为“I wish to propose a toast to the friendship between Chinese and English People”,会让苏格兰人在情感上感觉不适应,而将“English”改为“British”就会避免误会。
从上面的一些例子看来,我们可知出口商品的销量与品牌推广在一定程度上受到品牌名称的制约,由此可见商标名称翻译的重要性。因此,在为出口商品设计广告与翻译商标时,要充分了解目的语国家的语言文化与文化背景,避免由于跨文化意识不强引起的语用失误,特别是在源语中代表祝福的词在目的语中却恰恰相反。
二、总结——译者的任务
1.地域文化不同导致的文化差异。地域文化指的是由所处地域、自然条件和地理环境所形成的文化,表现在不同民族对同一种现象或事物采用不同的言语形式来表达。[3]112-113中国是个地大物博,幅员辽阔的国家,人们常常用“挥金如土”形容人花钱慷慨或挥霍无度。而英国是一个四面环海的岛国。水对于英国人来说是取之不尽,用之不竭的资源,所以他们用“spendmoneylikewater”来表示相同的意思。由于“土”对于他们来说是很珍贵的,若将“挥金如土”直译为“spendmoneylikeearth”英国人可能难以理解,从而造成交际障碍。作为岛国,英国在历史的发展中积累了大量与“boat”,“water”,“sailing”,“fish”相关的习语,而我国是农耕民族,习语自然与土地及耕作工具相关,所以英汉翻译时一定要根据各自的文化做出等值译文。如:“neveroffertoteachfishtoswim”(不要班门弄斧),“abigfishinalittlepond”(山中无老虎,猴子称霸王)。
2.习俗文化不同导致的文化差异。不同的民族在历史发展进程中,形成了自己特有的文化规约和习俗。语言,作为文化的重要组成部分,也必然反映民族的风俗习惯。日常打招呼,中国人大多使用“吃了吗?”“上哪呢?”等等,这体现了人与人之间的一种随意感。可西方人会把这种打招呼的方式理解成为一种隐私干涉。在西方,日常打招呼他们会。单地说“Hello”,“Hi”,或按时间段问候,“Goodmorning!”“Goodafternoon!”“Goodevening!”。而英国人见面也会说:“Aniceday!”。中国传统婚礼习惯用红色,因为红色象征吉祥。在丧葬习俗中,丧色为白色。而在西方的风俗习惯中,白色却代表圣洁美好。所以,婚礼上新娘总是身着白色婚纱。所以,在翻译红色和白色时,译者要注重了解不同文化的风俗习惯,准确地表达语言所赋予的文化内涵。因此,“awhiteday”要译成“好日子”或“吉日”而不能直译成“白色的日子”。再如:yardsale(庭院售物)、garagesale(车库售物)、porchsale(门庭售物)或movingsale(搬家售物),是英美国家一种独特的售物方式。由主人把家中多余不用的物品放在庭院中,车库里或门廊下廉价出售。而国内是没有这种做法的。因此,只有了解这种文化,才能正确翻译,否则,会根据字面意思造成误译。
3.思维模式不同导致的文化差异。思维模式是使用某一种语言的民族群体在漫长的历史过程中形成的语言心理倾向。不同文化的人对外界认知模式的差异,往往导致思维模式的差异。中西文化认知角度的差异,表现在对同一事物具体与抽象特征敏感落点的不同。在对事物进行描写时,英语思维习惯往往把观察重点和视觉中心落在较为抽象的特征上,并以抽象的特征来说明更为具体的东西,而汉语的感知视点恰恰与此相反。如:中国人习惯性用具体的“锅碗瓢盆”指代厨房里的炊具,但因为认知视点的差异会误译为,“wok,bowl,gourd,la-dlebin”,而应抽象概括为“cookingutensils”。再如:“Hisbodyisveryhealthy.”(他的身体非常健康)、“Histwoeyesareblind.”(他双目失明)。从汉语的语言使用习惯来说,这两句说法没有问题。由于英语思维习惯把句意中心落在较为抽象的特征上,而汉语习惯落在具体的特征上,所以译文中的“body”,“eyes”就是一种汉语具体思维的体现,更地道的英语表达应该是“Heisveryhealthy”,“Heisblind”。语言与思维关系密切,不同的思维方式制约着语言的表达方式。所以,翻译时应充分了解两种语言的差异,排除思维习惯的干扰。
4.宗教文化不同导致的文化差异。宗教文化,作为一种以信仰为核心的特殊文化,影响着人们的思想意识、生活习俗。英美人多信仰基督教,认为世界是“上帝”创造的,凡事要遵从上帝的旨意。因此,英语中经常出现与“上帝”有关的语言表达,如:“Godblessme”、“Godhelpsthosewhohelpthemselves”。有些译者将这两句话直译成“上帝保佑”“上帝帮助自助者”。显然,这样的表达是不符合汉语文化的。由于中国受佛教、道教和儒家思想的影响较深,所以,“Godblessme”译成“菩萨保佑”,“Godhelpsthosewhohelpthem-selves”译成“天助自助者”更符合汉语的文化传统,也更容易让中国读者理解。再如:“半路出家”(switchtoanewtradewithoutsolidfoundation),“做一天和尚,撞一天钟”(takeapsiveattitudetowardone’swork),“借花献佛”(topresentBuddhawithborrowedflowers—toborrowsomethingtomakeagiftofit)。“出家”、“和尚”,“佛”均是中国的宗教文化,为了避免理解上的难点,括号中的译文均采用了意译法。对于宗教文化方面存在的差异,在翻译时应予以注意,否则就会造成交际障碍。
5.情感联想不同导致的文化差异。语言的联想意义和社会文化是紧密相关的。在翻译中,尽管字面意义相同,但潜在的背景因素引起的心理联想会存在差异。一些看似相同的事物,不同文化习俗的读者,往往会有完全不同的理解和联想。如:英语中“goose”含有蠢笨、呆头呆脑的意思,故而英语中有“stupidgoose”的说法,但对中国人来说,“鹅”是优雅、美丽、甚至高贵的化身,我们有洛宾王那首家喻户晓,妇孺皆知的《咏鹅》为证,中国人无论如何不会将“鹅”与“蠢笨”联系起来。[2]狗在中国词汇中经常具有贬义色彩,“走狗、狗仗人势”等都带有强烈的讽刺意义。在西方,狗被视为宠物,带有褒义色彩,如aluckydog(幸运儿)、Loveme,lovemydog(爱屋及乌)等都体现了狗在西方人眼中的特殊地位。
6.价值导向不同导致的文化差异。价值导向是指社会或群体、个人在自身的多种具体价值取向中将其中某种取向确定为主导的追求方向的过程。由于价值导向不同,两种文化对于“谦逊”的看法截然不同。如:“modestdogsmissmuchmeet”(谦虚的狗没有肉吃),“anexcessofmodestyobstructsthetongue”(谦虚过分束缚舌头),“rulesmodestydestroygeniusart”(规则与谦逊会毁掉天才和艺术)等等。诸如此类的说法表明西方人认为“谦逊”无用。而中国人自古以来就很注重“谦逊”。如:“虚心使人进步,骄傲使人落后”(Modestyhelpsonegoforward,whereconceitmakesonelagbehind),“满招损,谦受益”(Pridehurts,modestybenefits),等等。西方英语国家一般强调个人行为,成就及个人价值。如:“Everymanforhimselfgodforusall”(人人为自己,上帝为大家),“Godhelpsthosewhohelpthemselves”(自助者天助),“Everymanisthearchitectofhisownfuture”(自己的命运自己掌握)。而我们更强调集体价值观,集体的成就。为了大局,可以牺牲掉个人的利益。因此,就有以下说法:“吃苦在先,享受在后。”(Thefirsttotoilthelttoenjoylife)这是典型的中国人的价值观,强调集体的力量。再如:“众志成城”(Thereisverybigstrengthwhenpeoplejointogether),“众人拾柴火焰高”(Manyhsmakelightwork),“单丝不成线,独木不成林。”(inglethreadcan’tmakeacord,noringletreeaforest.)
二、结语
文化差异问题内容丰富而又复杂。在翻译过程中,只有充分了解中西方文化的差异,弄清源语言的真实涵义才能使译文贴切而又自然。在英汉翻译中,为了有效避免因文化差异而造成的误译,可以灵活采用不同的翻译技巧。在直译与意译都不能解决问题的情况下,可以采用以下三种补偿策略。
1.对于词义空缺的词汇可以采用音译法。如:“阴(yin)”、“阳(yang)、bowling(保龄球),disco(迪斯科)。
2.为了保留原文的文化色彩,可以采用释义法,注译法。如:theheelofAchilles(阿基里斯的脚跟———唯一致命的弱点)。
(一)制度文化差异制度文化指人类的社会制度、宗教制度、生产制度、教育制度、劳动管理分配制度、家庭制度、亲属关系、礼仪习俗、行为方式等社会规约以及与其有关的各种理论。其中大家对家庭制度中男尊女卑的观念耳熟能详。传统的农业社会和军事战争,使男子成为社会的主力,再加上儒家思想的影响,男尊女卑观念深入人心。《周易》有云:“女正位于内,男正位于外。推崇妻受命于夫和三从四德(“三从”,是指妇女应“未嫁从父、既嫁从夫、夫死从子”“;四德”,是指“妇德、妇言、妇容、妇功”)的纲常关系。西方的家庭观念淡薄,个体本位主义浓郁,虽也存在过男女不平等的现象,但由于受到文艺复兴、启蒙运动思想的影响,比较重视人的价值,有一定的平等和自由权利。体现在翻译上,表现为受不同文化影响的人,采取的翻译策略各不相同,以“你倒也三从四德的,只是这贤惠也太过了”为例:杨译:Quiteamodelofwifelysubmissionandvirtue,aren’tyou?Onlyyoucarrythisobediencetoofar.霍译:Imustcongratulateyouonyourwifelyvirtue-thoughImustsaythatinthiscaseyouarecarryingwifelinessalittlefar.毋庸置疑,杨、霍二人翻译的各有千秋,霍把“三从四德”一词译为virtue,省译了“从”的内涵,把“贤惠”一词译为wifeliness,无形中提升了古代中国女性的地位,但翻译的也是文从字顺,用奈达的同构理论来看也是形神皆备,但从巴斯奈特的“文化翻译观”角度看,杨的翻译更能反映源语文化的特征,表达原文的真实意义,不仅能让读者了解异域风情,从差异中获得新知,还能保护源语民族的文化特色,丰富译入语的文化,特别是在当今英语文化主导全球的文化潮流的背景下,意义愈加非凡。
(二)心理文化差异心理文化指人类的思维方式、思维习惯、价值观念、审美情趣、信仰、心态等[2]。其中思维方式的差异在翻译中举足轻重。西方文明的源头古希腊文明,诞生于爱琴海域的海湾、岛屿之上,农业耕种条件差,商业贸易相对发达,但变幻莫测的大海不断的干扰着当地的商业贸易,迫使他们开始认识宇宙自然,而宇宙自然的规律又往往是抽象存在的,这就孕育了最早的历史理性主义文化,高度重视逻辑推理,相信只有遵循正确的逻辑步骤才能求得真理。而我国占据了整个亚洲东部最大的可耕种土地面积,小农经济发达,工商业、科学技术相对滞后,人们逐渐意识到丰收离不开风调雨顺,生存离不开自然的恩赐,进而从自然现象中悟出阴阳交感、万物一体、天人合一的观念,再加上佛教思想(认为静默、沉思、等待,真理会自然而然地显现)的影响,共同催生了中国人用系统、全局把握事物的整体性思维。
二、文化影响下的翻译策略
宏观翻译策略:
(一)洞察文中的文化内涵。有些文章中的文化符号比较明显,我们可以一眼辨之,有些则比较隐晦,需读者有一定的文化底蕴,不然写者有意,听着无心,其中的内涵只能埋没。例如:Life,aseverybiographyandobitIhaveeverreadconfirms,iswhathappenswhenyouaremakingotherplans.文化积累不多的人看普普通通,但如果是列侬的歌迷或有相当的背景知识,他一定能辨出,这和BeautifulBoy中的Lifeisjustwhathappenstoyouwhileyou’rebusymakingotherplans.有异曲同工之处。
(二)采用归化与异化相结合的翻译策略。归化是“采取民族中心主义的态度,使外语文本符合译入语的文化价值观,把原作者带入译入语文化”,异化法则是“对这些文化价值观的一种民族偏离主义的压力,接受外语文本的语言及文化差异,把读者带入外国情景”。归化和异化旗鼓相当,不分轩轾,我们不能顾此失彼或厚此薄彼。好的译文是归化和异化的完美结合。微观翻译策略:民族特色词的翻译
(一)直译法,用拼音直接写出单词或用英语直接翻译。例如:剧名《刘巧儿》可直接译为LiuQiaoer、风水译为(Feng-shui)、麻将译为(Mah-jong)、功夫译为(Gongfu)。
(二)异译或增词进行解释。例如:若有必要,在译松、竹、梅岁寒三杰时,可把它们的寓意进行增词解释。得陇望蜀若译为covetSichuanaftercapturingGansu意思可能不能有效传译,这时就可异译为Themoreonereceives,themoreonede-sires。
三、小结
(一)风俗习惯方面的差异对翻译的影响
人们所处地域不同,文化也会有差异,每个人都受到地域文化的影响。风俗习惯是一个地区的人们的生活方式,涉及到社会生活的各个领域。多方面的英汉风俗习惯的差异使得翻译过程中对某些词汇的理解大相径庭。中西方对“狗”(dog)这一词语的理解则最为突出。西方把狗看做是最忠诚的朋友、最忠实的伴侣,有关狗的习语也大都是褒义的。如:Loveme,lovemydog.(爱屋及乌)Everydoghasitsday.(人人皆有得意时。)而在汉语中,狗是一种相对来说较为低级的动物。“狗”这一词条往往作为贬义词来用,那些汉语中与狗有关的成语大多表达了贬义。如:“狐朋狗友”、“狗嘴里吐不出象牙”、“走狗”、狼心狗肺、鸡飞狗跳等。另外,中西方在生活习惯方面也大不相同。就餐点而言,西方人喜欢面包加牛奶,而东方人喜欢米饭。在翻译成汉语时,带有“bread”的词组完全失去了“面包”之意。例如:“breadandwater”译为“粗茶淡饭”。再如:“Onecannotmakeanomeletwithoutbreakingeggs”意为“巧妇难为无米之炊”。因此,在日常翻译工作中,译者要尤为注意此类风俗习惯的差异,否则会产生很多翻译曲解,甚至是错误的译文。
(二)思维方式方面的差异对翻译的影响
思维方式不同,对同一事物的语言表达方式往往也会不同。思维方式的不同实际上就是内在的文化差异。西方人的语言表达比较抽象是因为西方的思维方式重视抽象思维。而汉语则比较具体,这是因为中国人在语言上重意合。例如,在Thereisawhitebirdbetweenthegreenoftheforest中,“green”是典型的抽象词,它是用抽象的表示颜色词语来形容具体的森林的植被样态。所以译为“翠绿的森林中”比较合适。因此,在翻译的过程中,译者要研究中西方的思维方式,然后用符合各自思维方式的语言将原文作者的意思准确无误的表达出来。
(三)生存环境方面的差异对翻译的影响
语言的产生与人们的劳动和生活息息相关。航海业在英国十分发达,一度领先于世界。他们通过航海认识了世界,对大海有着深厚的感情,因而生活中有许多习语源自航海业。如allatsea(不知所措),drunkasasailor(烂醉如泥)。汉族人世世代代生活在亚欧大陆,人们的生活和土地密切相关。用“挥金如土”来比喻花钱大手大脚,英语则是“spendmoneylikewater”。可见,英汉两个不同的民族,由于地理环境不同,他们观察事物,反映客观世界的角度和方式并不一致。所以翻译切忌照词典上的词义逐词逐句对译,不合习惯的词使会使信息出差错或觉得美中不足。(四)宗教方面的差异对翻译的影响是民族文化的重要组成部分,每个民族也都有不同的,翻译时把宗教差异因素考虑进去是很有必要的。西方人信仰基督教者居多,因而有Godhelpsthosewhohelpthemselves.(上帝帮助那些帮助自己的人)的说法。在中国,人们多信仰佛教,这使得在汉语中涉及到宗教的词汇多与佛教有关。比如借花献佛、菩萨、佛祖、玉帝等。所以在翻译含有宗教的句段时就要特别注意,以免引发错译、漏译,而使翻译失去了其文化交流的作用。
二、中西译论的相异性
中国强调人对事物的往往无法“言传”、只能“意会”的领悟;而起于柏拉图和亚里士多德的西方思想哲学传统,则强调人的理性思维,强调人对于世界的万事万物都应当、同时也能够作出理性的认识,并能予以形式上的解释。
三、中英句法的差异
英语句子常常由好几个从句和复句构成,将不同的主体粘连到一个长句中,即化零为整。但是汉语句子通常不长,邻近的句子之间通过不同的主体分开,也就是化整为零。例如:“Thehuntforthepumabeganinasmallvillagewhereawomanpickingblackberriessaw“alargecat”onlyfiveyardsawayfromher.”(L.G.Alexander,1997)在这句话中有好几个主体,第一层面:“huntforthepuma”beganina“village”,“awoman”saw“alargecat”第二层面:The“woman”livesinthe“village”.通过“where”引导的定语从句,两个层面的句子连在了一起,第二个层面成为修饰语。如果不调整结构直接按照这个复杂结构翻译的话,中文译文是这样的:“对美洲狮的搜寻在一个某采摘黑莓的妇女看见离她五码远的地方有一只‘大猫’的小乡村开始。”不用说,这个版本对中文读者来说很费解,他们更希望看到化整为零的句型,在这种情况下需要根据目标语言对源语言句子的结构进行解构,更合适的译文应该是:“对美洲狮的搜寻从一个小村庄开始。那里的一位妇女在采摘黑莓时看见离她五码远的地方有一只‘大猫’。”
四、人本主义和物本主义的差异
On Culture Taboos in Translation of Trademark Words and Coping Strategies
Xu Huimin
Abstracts: With the advent of economic globalization, more and more commodities are going out of the country and have a share in world market. Trademark is a special language symbol and important component of commodity culture,representing the unique characteristics of the commodity. It is also a powerful weapon for enterprisers to participate in international competition. Good trademark translation can bring tremendous wealth to the enterprise while the adverse trademark translation can make the enterprise pay a heavy price; therefore the survival of the enterprise has an intimate relationship with trademark translation. Trademark translation should follow the principles of translation and pay attention to the cultural forbidden zone in trademark translation. Here are many ways to translate trademarks, such as pinyin, transliteration and so on, which should pay attention to the cultural taboos of different countries and nationalities in order to avoid unnecessary troubles.
1. Introduction
The emergence of trademarks as a symbol of enterprise, it is a bridge between producers and consumers in direct dialogue it is a powerful weapon for enterprises to participate in international competition. The deepening of China's opening-up and the increasing economic activity of foreign-funded enterprises in China has greatly enriched the economic life of the Chinese people and created many new economic and commercial activities for the Chinese people. A large number of domestic exports to all parts of the world, foreign goods also flooded into the domestic market. Legitimate goods have their own trademarks. Today, with economic globalization and regional economic integration, more and more Chinese enterprises in order to seek larger development space and seek higher economic effectiveness for go out of the country and tend towards the world. At the same time, our lives appear many foreign brands with the same idea and purpose. A company whether can set up its own brand in this time of rapid economic growth and gain more development space, the key depend on product quality and research and development. But once you out of the country, you will face different culture, language, customs... under the background of the international market. The trademark language is a kind of language different from the ordinary word, and the ordinary word comparison implication is more profound and the content enriches makes the people easy to remember. For example advertisement and translation of trademark will play a crucial role in the early stage. It is not an exaggeration to say that when an enterprise’s brand is in the international market, the name of the commodity translated appreciately or not. In a sense, it is directly related to the brand in the international market, in a way, is directly related to the enterprise brand in the international market.
Nowadays we can see all kinds of trademarks when we walking in the street. The trademark is has the remarkable feature of a commodity producer or business operator who use it in order to distinguish his goods from other people's goods. Therefore, in the circulation of commodities, trademark is the symbol of commodities. Some trademarks is a word, some trademarks are just a simple image design, while some signs are the combination of graphics and words. Taking trademarks advertising commodity has become an important way of enterprises to tap the potential of international market and promote the development of international trade. Trademark translation is the transformation from one language to another, and to maintain its original style and connotation. Nowadays more and more foreign goods are entering the Chinese market. Meanwhile, more and more Chinese products are selling goods all around the world. How successfully translate the English trademark into Chinese trademark has become a problem for many enterprises and the translator to consider, and if China's enterprises have intention to enter the international market, that must be consider how to have good translate for Chinese trademark the into the English trademark.
This paper starts from the taboo of trademark translation, analyzes the cultural taboos which should be paid attention to in the process of trademark translation due to different cultures of various countries. With the exchange of Chinese and foreign products, the translation of trademarks is inevitable, so the translation of trademarks plays an important role in the sale of goods outside the home. The first chapter mainly introduces the background and significance of trademark translation. The second chapter mainly introduces the method of trademark translation. The third chapter mainly introduces the different cultural taboos in different cultures, and the fourth chapter mainly puts forward some corresponding strategies for the cultural taboos in the world. The fifth chapter mainly summarizes the full content.
2. Translation Methods of Trademark
In the process of trademark translation, businessmen strive for trademark individuality, concise content, break through the rules of grammar, as far as possible with the least content text bearing the most corporate culture and commodity value, and to make consumers have the desire to buy the goods and facilitate the effect of memory.( 许金杞. 意美、音美、形美——英文商标的汉译[J], 外语与外语教学,2002, (11): 48.).
2.1Transliteration
Transliteration is based on the pronunciation of English trademarks, which are translated in the same or similar pronunciation of Chinese characters. Its advantage is that it can maintain the original pronunciation advantage of the original brand and brand name, which can reflect the exotic atmosphere of the goods. Taking transliteration of trademark name is mainly composed of a person's name, enterprise name or other proper noun. This method is used in both English trademark translation and Chinese trademark translation. A common used for transliteration English trademark, such as Sony, L 'Orea, Nike, Casio, Revlon, Ikea etc.
2.2 Synthetic Phonics
Synthetic Phonics is to cut words or make words together, create a new word to translation brand name, make the brand name novel and interesting, impressive, and have abundant association. Therefore, it can play a role in the advocacy. Such as 新意达集团“Newit” (New + Wit), 东方星钟表“Eastar”(Eeast + star), 肤美灵化妆品“Skinice”(skin + nice), 金霸王电池“Durable cell” (Durable + Cell), 尤妮佳“Unicharm”(union + charm), 德生电 “Tecsun”(technology+ sun).
2.3 Spelling
The trademark taking spelling which is more simply and intuitive, and is named directly in the form of pinyin. Such as:大宝(DABAO)、六神(LIUSHEN)、华为(HUAWEI)etc. When we use pinyin to translate the name of an English trademark, sometimes it does not have corresponding words or expressions of Chinese. Some trademarks will be presented in the form of pinyin in the translation process, but the word may have different meanings in English-speaking countries. For example, there is a trademark called “FUCK Pincers”, which probably initials of the company name. But in English, the word means “cheating, cajoling” or even sex slang. Therefore, when we translate trademarks, we should be careful of each country of cultural differences and cultural taboos. Although the use of pinyin translation of trademarks have failed cases, but the use of Pinyin translation of trademarks have a successful case. Such as “Chun Lan”(春兰空调)and “Chang Hong”(长虹空调). But these successes are in the minority. Some trademarks that use pinyin translation can be misleading, produce negative associations and cause ambiguity. Such as the lipstick brand “芳芳”, translated by pinyin as “Fang Fang”, but in English, the word “Fang” means “along, sharp tooth of a dog; a snake’s poison-tooth”. So, for cosmetics that want to make people beautiful, the translation is too different from its original meaning, and it can't arouse consumers' desire to buy. Although pinyin translation is relatively simple compared with other translation methods, but the trademark is only a sign, which usually loses the deep meaning of the original trademark. For example, “金龙” translates to “King Long”. The pronunciation of “金” and “King” is very close, and it has a noble meaning, and this conversion is reasonable. In China, “龙” is the symbol of Chinese culture, symbolizing the meaning of justice and prosperity, but the word “Long” in English pronunciation for “Wolf” so with the meaning of “龙” have a clear difference in meaning. In these cases, the loss of the original meaning of the trademark but also to foreign consumers puzzled, do not understand what these trademarks mean, thus affecting the sales volume.
2.4 Liberal Translation
The liberal translation refers to the translation according to the purport of the original text, not the word translation. Usually in the translation of sentences or phrases used more, liberal translation is mainly used in the original language and the translation of large cultural differences in the case. Liberal translation is more able to reflect the language characteristics of the nation. The transliteration of trade mark means that the translator has to abandon the literal meaning of the original text in order to conform to the original content and the main language function, which is based on the national culture and focuses on the cultural connotation. In other words, the transliteration is a completely literal translation. Such as “Red Bull”(红牛饮料),“Microsoft”(微软),The liberal translation, also called "Functional equivalence translation", usually only chooses the content of the original text and discards its form, which is a kind of translation after digestion. For example: “雀巢咖啡”translated into Nescafe. Nescafe is the abbreviation of Nestle Coffee, why do you have this translation? Because the coffee's outsourcing bottle cap is printed with the design of Nestle, its English is Nestle, and the “咖啡” translation is coffee, so in translating, The translator according to the meaning take two words together is “Nescafe”.
3. The Culture Taboos in Translation of Trademark
Because in international trade different countries have different social, historical and cultural backgrounds, a commodity often appears to be popular in one country, but in another it is neglected. This is because the translator did not take fully the cultural and historical background of the trademark translation into account, which led to the marketing failure. Translators should have a certain understanding of different countries of national culture and cultural taboos, there will not due to the mistake of trademark translation, result in the failure of commodity marketing. ( Nida, E. “Language, Culture and Translating”, 上海: 上海外语教育出版社, 1993.).
3.1 Taboos of National Psychology
National psychology refers to the character, temperament, emotion, value orientation, religious mentality and aesthetic psychology of a nation. Although the psychological model of a nation has the same characteristics as other nationalities, but most of them are different and mutually exclusive. The national psychological differences make people have psychological conflict in the people intercourse, and form the barrier of mutual intercourse. National psychology is the inherent psychological characteristic of a nation in the process of long-term evolution. Because different ethnic groups are affected by different ecological environment, religious belief and historical political and cultural background, different ethnic groups form different national psychology. Different national psychology has created different values and consuming psychology. The psychological mode of a nation inevitably influences its shopping mentality. In the process of trademark translation, if we ignore the national psychological differences, the good products will not be bought for the unacceptable translated trademark in sales place. Such as “帆船” carpet is also the traditional export products translated into junk results in the United States market no one to buy. Originally junk in English sailing accident also have rubbish, tattered meaning. Later it was translated into “Junco” to attract the attention of foreign people. Because of the different customs and morals of each country and nation, the translator should consider the culture and customs of the place of sale. The trademark of the “太阳神口服液” wants to show the world that the oral liquid can be full of youthful vigor, not directly translated into the "the god of the sun", the translator in the translation of the Cultural transformation, translated as "Apollo", the ancient Greek sun God's meaning, representing the light and youth, with the original language.
3.2 Element of Politics, Economy and History
Politics, economy and history determine the status of a country in the world, so it is a cultural taboo is an important factor to be considered in the translation of trademarks and a sensitive factor, so it is very important to take into account the political, economic and historical taboos in translation. Such as OPIUM perfume, inventor of the trademark in 1977 had been to China, he started from the Chinese snuff bottle modeling inspiration, created the "OPIUM" brand perfume, trademark means "OPIUM", translated as OPIUM will remind the Chinese of humiliation of the opium war, the strong national pride makes the perfume was listed in China slammed by consumers, and eventually banned due to violation of China's trademark law. Bear in modern economic terms, it can be matched with market, which means "market of falling market", popularly known as "weak city, market and bear market". Such words should not be used on trademarks.
3.3 The Variation of Culture Taboos in Different Countries
3.3.1 The Variation of Animal’s Symbolic Meaning
Panda: in China, they are seen as animals and pets, but in Muslim countries, they are seen as pig. African trademark also bans the panda.
Bats: westerners believe it is a symbol of terror, death and foreboding. Even kids know it's a vampire. However, in our country, it is regarded as a symbol of happiness, as an auspicious omen.
Elephant: in India, Sri Lanka and other countries are auspicious things and solemn symbols. But in some European countries, elephants have the same meaning as idiots
Owl: in our country, the owl is regarded as an ominous sign. In addition to the Swiss, westerners believe that it is the embodiment of wisdom, courage and toughness.
Peacock: in our country and south Asia, it symbolizes auspiciousness and beauty. India also sees it as a national bird, but Europeans see the peacock as a scourge.
Dogs: dogs in the west are seen as a loyal partner, protected by law. Instead, in some parts of northern Africa, people hate dogs and taboo dogs.
Cats: in many countries, they are considered pets. Europeans think cats can bring good luck. But many people in western countries think black cats are unlucky.
The crane: our country regards it as a symbol of good luck and longevity, while the French think the crane is a stupid man's name.
Rabbit: many countries think that rabbits are cute and docile, but in Australia they are the exception. Because rabbits eat grass, they are the bane of wool production, so they don't like the “rabbi” brand.
Phoenix: in our country is a kind of the miraculous animals, on behalf of the "lucky, happiness, and elegant. Chinese people believed that a “凤凰”bicycle can bring good luck, but in western culture legend phoenix is not dead bird, there is the meaning of" renewable "and" resurrection ", so the goods no takers in the west it is not surprising. A similar example of “喜鹊”,but the English word is “magpie” is talking about boring people in the west.
3.3.2 The Variation of Number Symbolic Meaning
0: Indians believe that the number ending in 0 is positive.
1: in the eyes of westerners, “1” means perfection and initiation.
3: the Greeks and Egyptians considered the “3” to be sacred, dignified and auspicious. Some western countries see this as an unlucky number.
4: North Korea, Japan and China think this number is unlucky. In the eyes of Japanese, it is lazy and useless. The Arabs thought it was immortal, so they attached great importance to this number.
7: Some Europeans and Americans think this is a good luck, while Singaporeans have the opposite idea.
8: this is a lucky number in China, which is very similar to the word "发", which people tend to choose when choosing a number. Singaporeans, however, say the Numbers are not good.
13: the west and Singapore think this number will bring bad luck and misfortune. So there are no 13 floors in western countries.
Digital deification also shows the difference between east and west. In our country “666”, “999”, “金六福”, “三元” and “13” these digital products, in the United States can see the “7-up”, “Modle Seven” and “7-eleven”and other trademarks of goods, but “666”, “13” goods exported to the United Kingdom and the United States will become a problem, because the “six” in the west is the symbol of the devil, 13 is an unlucky number. It is difficult for us to master the culture of each country, which requires us to accumulate knowledge to avoid the cultural taboos of other countries in the translation of trademarks.
3.3.3 The Variation of Color Symbolic Meaning
In China, green symbolizes life, red symbolizes passion, white symbolizes purity, and black symbolizes solemnity. In the United States, light colors are generally liked, such as ivory, light green, light blue, yellow, pink, light yellow, and they don't like purple. In France, people have imaginative about color. In addition, the color research and application is very exquisite, like red, yellow, blue and other colors. Bright-color is regarded as the symbol of vogue, luxuriant, nobility, so bright-color is popular in France. In eastern France, boys in fashion wear blue and girls wear pink. For Belgium, chrysanthemum means death, so similar to the chrysanthemum color won't welcome. For southern Belgium, girls love pink and boy love blue, ordinary people love the elegant grey. Avoid dark green, black and green color for Nazi uniform. It is not appropriate to use blue and yellow as a commercial in Sweden. Many countries like green, especially in the desert where Arabs see green as life, and green as a symbol of life for the flag. The Japanese, however, taboo green, who think green, is unlucky. In Malaysia, green is the symbol of disease. Westerners use white to symbolize purity, and black symbolizes death. Britain regards “red” as cruel and unlucky. In western countries, westerners regard white as a symbol of purity and beauty, and the bride's wedding dress is white, which symbolizes the purity and fidelity of love.
4. Coping Strategies of Cultural Taboos in the Process of Translation
Trademarks are the unity of language and culture. Trademark translation, with the perspective of cross-cultural communication, accurately grasp, the surface culture and deep culture, which can turn the material value to the abstract spiritual value. It allowed consumers to understand the material value of goods and material language culture and spiritual culture. Goods are sold to different countries and regions, so cultural differences between different types and degrees are necessarily reflected in the language. Although the translator deals with individual words in trademark translation, the translator always faces two cultures. Facing with fierce competition, the translator must have a strong awareness of intercultural communication, and break the bondage of language form equivalence concept in order that bring out the sound and make all brand names of goods have broad market prospects.( [3] Newmark, Peter. A Textbook of Translation[M]. Shanghai: Shanghai Foreign Language Education Press, 2001.).
4.1 Catering to Consumer Psychology
Culture affects all aspects of our lives. It restricts and regulates the process of feeling the world and forming ideas, thus forming some perceptual cultural determinism. These perceptual stereotypes affect people's values and consumer psychology. The translation of trademarks must take into account the cultural habits and aesthetic psychology of consumers. In international trade, it is not difficult to find that the product of the same trademark is popular in one place and suffers from a snub in another. It is important that whether trademark translation can cater to consumers' aesthetic psychology. A people said that "The translator must be a real cultural person". If the translator is not sufficiently knowledgeable about the language and cultural phenomena of the target language, it is likely to make unavoidable mistakes in language or culture. For example, the “白象” battery produced in our country is translated as “White Elephant”, originally in English, “White Elephant” meaning is “big and useless”. For example, there is a kind of electric appliance called “蝙蝠”, the Chinese will take their homophonic, “蝠-福气”. When translated into “Bat”, it will cause Westerners to resent it because they hate the animal. It is important to know how to translate the correct trademark. The import trademarks translation needs to take into account the traditional culture of China and the consumption psychology of Chinese consumers. Foreign products enter the Chinese market, if they want to set up a good product image, and be loved by Chinese consumers, they should have a translation which is consistent with Chinese consumers' cultural habits and aesthetic psychology Such as the United States drink “Coca Cola”, a translator used several of its similar homophonic Chinese characters as their trademark name in its first sale in China, the result is no one buy, because these several Chinese characters together reminiscent of the shape of the tadpole, meaning of “啃蜡蝌蚪”. Later, a called Jiang Yi translator careful study of the translation of the “Coca-Cola”, not only retained the “cola” pronunciation, but also cater to the Chinese consumer's psychology, point out its “delicious” taste, and the “happy” effect. In a sense, “cola” can be sold in the Chinese market, which is a good idea of the translation has played a great role.
4.2 The Use of Concise Language
For trademark translation, consumers are impressed by the simple and easy to understand and easy to understand. Because of the significant differences in pronunciation, word formation, historical background and cultural tradition between Chinese and English, some of the most concise and powerful trademarks in one language may appear to be protracted and difficult to remember. For example the American beer “Budweiser”, translate into“百德威斯” is difficult to remember Obviously there is no “百威” to be concise, and "百威" makes people feel refreshed and infinitely powerful. The trademark translation should make the reader feel good, remember, love and be willing to buy its goods, such as “Panten”(潘婷), “Olay” (玉兰油), the translation is elegant and pleasant to hear. Therefore, when translating trademarks, we should bear in mind the memory function of trademarks, make the translation straightforward and simple, easy to read and easy to remember, and try to avoid those lengthy and cumbersome ones, that is, no real meaning, difficult to read and hard to remember . The most important goal of trademark translation is to enable consumers to remember the products they represent through the translation of trademarks. Therefore, trademark translation must be simple, easy to remember and vivid image.
4.3 Reflecting Commodity Information
The function of a trademark is to illustrate the performance of the commodity and reflect the characteristics of the commodity. A trademark is also a concise advertisement. A commodity wants to open sale, besides the quality is good, the variety is opposite the road, the price is reasonable, very important one is the translation of the trademark. By trademark, people can have the most basic understanding of the commodity, as far as possible to the purpose of pre-sale. Therefore, the translation of the trademark should indicate the performance of the commodity from one aspect of the commodity, leaving a deep impression on the consumers. The translation must conform to the nature of the product and reflect its accurate positioning in the original text. For example: the world famous toothpaste brand Crest has the meaning of “Top, Peak point, Helmet” and so on, which makes people think of the “hard and hard surface protection”. If it can protect the teeth like a helmet, who can say no? Today, P&G products are almost everywhere in the world, and the “Safeguard” is particularly profound. The word is composed of “safe + guard”, safe means “safe, safe, reliable” and “guard” means “protection” two words together, became a “security”. This can make people think that the product is safe and does not stimulate the skin and can also play a role in skin care. The translation of the trademark should indicate the performance of the product and impress the consumers. Such as: the name “Benz” of Germany comes from the name of “KarlBenz”. In Taiwan, it was translated as “朋驰” and also translated as “本茨”. Although these translations are similar to the original name, the literal meaning does not reflect the performance of the goods, or it can be said to have no meaning. Now, "Benz" is translated as “Benz”, which is similar to the original name, which can also be thought of in the literal meaning of the translated name to the excellent performance of the car. Again such as “Nike” and “original intention”, the Greek goddess of victory, “娜姬”, “Nike” to the original feeling of propaganda object may be like a beautiful and victory, and the feeling of “Nike” to the Chinese tend to be more abrasion resistance, more in line with the consumer psychology of the Chinese . Excellent trademarks try to reflect the characteristics and advantages of commodities to cater to consumers' purchasing psychology. These logos are full of allegorical or inspiring people's rich associations to create an irresistible feeling.
The trademark language is a kind of language different from the ordinary word, and the ordinary word comparison implication is more profound and the content enriches makes the people easy to remember. Trademark language has several characteristics,First, the trademark language to have independence, only has the independent trademark to give the consumer the visual impact and the appeal, thus achieves the recognition and the approval goal. In other words, there could be no other identical trademarks. Second, the trademark language should be symbolic, trademark logo must have a high cohesion and profound implication. This requires businesses in the development of trademarks to the corporate culture, entrepreneurial spirit and the characteristics of enterprise products in the brand. Third, the trademark language should also be descriptive, refers to the trademark language generally implies the quality of goods, indicating its characteristics and performance. Four, the trademark language should also have the imagination characteristic, this can give the consumer an imaginary space, lets the consumer feel that uses this kind of product to have the unexpected effect. Five, use foreign words to do trademark language, according to their own cultural patterns, new things to be reconstructed.