浅谈散文翻译的功能对等.doc

浅谈散文翻译的功能对等李婷指导老师 评 阅 人 完成日期 Functional Equivalence in the Translation of English Literary ProsebyLi TingA 2007 Undergraduate of theForeign Languages Department,Taizhou Institute of Science and TechnologySupervisor: Xu GuixiangMay 2, 2011声 明本人郑重声明：1、坚持以“求实、创新”的科学精神从事研究工作。2、本论文是我个人在导师指导下进行的研究工作和取得的 研究成果。3、本论文中除引文外，所有实验、数据和有关材料均是 实的。4、本论文中除引文和致谢的内容外，不包含其他人或其 机构已经发表或撰写过的研究成果。5、其他同志对本研究所做的贡献均已在论文中做了声明并 表示了谢意。 作者签名：李 婷 日 期：2010年5月4日Thesis:Functional equivalence in the Translation of English literary prose.Brief Introduction of Literary ProseA. The definition of Literary ProseGenerally, prose, in this paper called literary prose, is a kind of article which pays little attention to the length. According to Wei Jimu, literary prose traditionally means that: Via the vivid and authentic description of objective things, community affairs and a certain individual to express authors feelings and thoughts with vivid and beautiful language (韦济木 270).In broad sense, excepting the novels, poems, plays, it includes all kindsofessays,expositionandargumentation,suchas:politicalcommentshistorycomments biographies, travel notes, letters, diaries, sketch, table, prologue and so on. These articles, both the carrier of sentiment and the model of language art, have the very high aesthetic value. In long-term circulated process, the literary prose watered a variety of ages in the literary field.In narrow sense, literary prose is lyric prose. Unlike other literary style, lyric prose is charactered by what is one experience and undergo, what is one hear and see and what is one think and meditate. B. The characteristics of literary prose1. Scrambled in appearance but united in spiritThis theory is put forward by Xiao Yunru which is acknowledged and spread extensively. “Scrambled in appearance” denote that it is not only a easily material-getting one but also free of time and space. Literary prose follows no set form in the technique of expression, such as narration, description, argument and exposition. The author is free to zoom in his/her own way. “United in spirit” refers that the theme the author want to convey is supposed to be clear and definite. All without exception serve for a better expression of the theme.2. Bantam length and far-reaching prospectThe author draws support from imagination and association, processing from one to another, from the shallow to the deeper to communicate the true emotion. Or rather, literary prose is closely related with such lyric art as bi xing and expressing one ambition by describing natural objects.3. Graceful, concise language and full of literary talent“Graceful” refers to the language of literary prose, pictures a gentle stream to voice the authors genuine sentiments, and is pure, fresh, bright, and beautiful. “Concise” is quoted for a terse, unadorned and flow language style of literary prose, which, barely in a nutshell, can trace out lively images and affecting scenes. That is to say, literary prose strives to speak the circumstances and refresh the emotions of the readers. The Concept of Translation EquivalenceA. The definition of the Translation EquivalenceThe most authority of the theory is Nidas “equivalence effect theory”(等效论), “equivalence theory”(奈达的等值论), or “functional equivalence”(功能对等). However, by no means does Nidas “equivalence” theory drive at perfect similarity. He and Taber put forward the term “equivalence” in 1969 and clarified as follows: The translator must strive for equivalence rather than identity. In a sense this is just another way of emphasizing the reproducing of the message rather than the conversation of the form of the utterance (Nida and Taber 12).As far as he can see, translation was not intend to render everything identity, but rather reproducing “the closest natural equivalence to the source language message” in the target language. The Translation equivalence divided into two parts, the minimal level and the maximal level. The minimal level of the “functional equivalence” shows that “The readers of a translated text should be able to comprehend it to the point that they can conceive of how the original readers of the text must have understood and appreciated it.” The maximal level is defined as “The readers of a translated text should be able to understand and appreciate it in essentially the same manner as the original readers did” (Nida 1993 118; 1995 224). B. The development of the Theory “Dynamic equivalence” is reader-directed when Nida developed two essential types of equivalence in translating: dynamic equivalence and formal equivalence. A dynamic equivalence translation does not want the readers to comprehend the cultural background of the source language for the sake of understanding the message. However, the wording of “dynamic equivalence” has often been misconceived by other translators as mentioned that “anything which might have special impact and appeal for receptors”(马会娟 92), Nida took the replace of “functional equivalence”, which means “the communicative functions of translating”.1. If a close, formal translation is likely to result in a misunderstanding of the designative meaning. Some changes should be imported into the version of the translation or the literary translation may be reserved and a foot notation explaining the possible misreading must be appended.2. If a close, formal translation makes no sense, i.e. is totally obscure in designative meaning. Some changes should be imported into the version only when the source version is deliberately obscure. In this case, this kind of obscurity is supposed to be reserved and a foot notation explaining the nature of the obscurity must be very helpful and on most occasions fully reasonable.3. If a close, formal translation is so semantically and syntactically difficult that the average person for whom the translation is being made is very likely to give up trying to understand it; some changes are of the essence, although it perhaps helpful to point out the nature of such changes in an introduction part or in foot notation.4. If a close, formal translation is likely to result in serous misunderstanding of the associative meanings of the source text or in a significant loss in a proper appreciation for the stylistic values of the source text. It is vital to to make these adjustments as they are indispensible to mirror the associative value of the source text.C. The principles of functional equivalenceNida put forward a quantity of correlative principles necessary to explore a favorable functional equivalence of a source text, some of which presented by Nida are very beneficial in studying the translation of literary prose:The misunderstanding and obscurity of the designative and associative meanings, the difficulties in semantics and syntactic structures, the loss of the stylistic values, all these factors require adjustments in formal structures so as to guarantee the success of communication, which provide regulation and guidance for the analyses of the translations of literary prose. (Nida 78) Functional equivalence in the Translation of literary proseA. Functional Equivalence in words and phrasesWords are the basic elements of meaning, but they have not been easy to translate on account of their meanings being flexible and difficult to confirm. The meanings of words are diverse, and, for the sake of analyses, Leech raises two basic meanings of lexical units: conceptual meaning and associative meaning. Conceptual meaning, which can also called designative meaning. The understanding of the designative meaning is the fundamental and premise of a successful translation as it express the essential message. However, the associative meaning, containing much more culture, history and other social elements, is more intricacy.1. Functional equivalence in conceptual meaningConceptual meaning contains those basic essential components of meaning which are conveyed by the literal use of a word (Yule 49). It is a basic need for translators to understand and transmit the conceptual meaning by rule and line so as to regenerate the basic meaning of the information in target language. Through analyzing the prosperous in transference of the conceptual meaning in the following examples, it can tell that a formal equivalence is supposed to get out of the road to functional equivalence. In other words, in the first instance, a successful translation is the one that properly wake up to the notional function of the original text.Example1. For expert men can execute, and perhaps judge of particulars, one by one; but the general counsels, and the plots and marshalling of affairs, come best from those that are learned. (Bacon 257). 练达之士虽能分别处理细事或一一判别枝节，然纵观统筹，全局策划，则舍好学深思者莫属。The beautiful version is translated by Wang zuoliang, who give us a exact and vivid translation of Bacons of studies, which is written 300 years ago. For the sake of originals elegance, Wang deliberately utilized formal written words and expression mode with the proper arrangement with adjacent words and phrases. In the above sentence Wang interpreted “expert men” to 练达之士and “come best from” to 舍莫属. That is to say, a triumphant translation has to gain correct understanding of the original text by way of being on to the equivalence in the notional function. Example2 Though the rope may part and the great junk swing back, in the end the rapid will be passed; and at the close of the weary day there is the hearty meal (Maugham 253) 但最终险滩必将通过，在精疲力竭的一天结束时可以痛快地吃上一顿饱饭 This article is written by William S Maugham, drew a picture of boat trackers song when they were working. The version interpreted by Chen Bowen not only expressed the scene of the original, but express the compassion and commiseration of the author with boat trackers. Such as the phrases “the weary day”, which can also be understood of “疲惫，令人厌烦的一天” and the word “hearty” of “健壮的，精神饱满的”. In that case, the emotion of the author will not be emerged. Only when a translator is correct in deciding the conceptual meaning in the context, can he catch the accurate meaning and thus getting equivalence in translation.2. Functional equivalence in associative meaningAccording to Nida, it is the associative meanings that are specially handicap for translators, since they are inclined to be tender and deep. A successful translation wants an abundant rendition of associative meaning to give voice to the message of the original text.Example 3 Ed asked numerous questions night after night in the candle light, painstakingly writing out the longhand chairman Maos brilliant delineation of the goals and aspirations of the Chinese people. 一夜一夜，在烛光下，埃德加提出许许多多的问题，又不辞辛苦，把毛主席栩栩如生描绘的中国人民的奋斗目标和远大前景，详详细细，一笔一画记录下来(15)。Translating the word “brilliant” into “栩栩如生” and “in longhand” into “详详细细，一笔一画记录下来” are shown originality, which turn abstraction into material scenes on the basis of fulfilling the equivalence in readers response.The associative meaning of a word, in translation of literary prose, should be very carefully interpreted, because language itself involves rich culture deposits. The same word may bring various psychological imaginations in different countries and regions. Translators should not fail to see the culture influences and try to achieve the equivalence of the original text for the target language. B. Functional Equivalence in sentencesBased on Nidas theory, translation intends to find the closest natural equivalence in the target language to regenerate the meaning of the source language. In virtue of the development of history and the difference of cultural deposits, it comes to light that English and Chinese have access to many a difference in conveying perplexing and particular information. Their unique syntactic structures result in different division of sentential elements. In other words, if not inevitable, the reorganization of the original sentences is desired. Only when the translator realizes the formal characteristics of the language and is capable of getting rid of the limitation of them, may he take measure to stride over the gap between the two languages.The fact that English is subject-oriented and Chinese is topic-oriented determines their difference of meaning units thus making it impossible for word to word translation. Namely, formal equivalence ought to give way to functional equivalence. Especially the translation of literary prose, due to its characteristics, should not only be flowing and nice but communicate the literary flavor of the original text. The following examples about versions of literary works will inspect how the application of functional equivalence benefits to translate the original text and how it benefits to make a better translation in accordance with different requirements.Example4. It does not do to live in memories, in regrets for the good old days, or in sadness about friends who are dead. 老想着过去，总觉得过去怎么怎么好，或者总是为已故的朋友而哀伤，这是不妥的(268)。English tend to show declaration earlier than the relevant information, while Chinese is the other way round. The translator has a good consciousness about the typical Chinese sentence structure. He transforms the original nouns or nominal phrases into Chinese verbs, such as “memories”, “in regrets for” and “in sadness”, which gives the reader a close natural equivalence of the original text, very excellent Chinese without the trace of artificialness. Though he breaks the formal equivalence, he succeeds in gaining a better translation version.Example5. Ask yourselves how this gracious reception comports with those warlike preparations which cover our waters and our land. 你们在接受我们请愿书时彬彬有礼，而你们种种备战却搞得我国领海上空战云密布，我国河山黯然失色，请诸位扪心自问，这两者如何统一(31)？The translator firstly shows the fact according with Chinese topic-oriented specialty, and then point out the key to the question, which is clear and logical. In this case, the authors intention of anger can be visualized through the rearrangement of the word order, though the formal features of English are altered to some extent, the emphasis is regenerated more famous.On account of the customary usage and fixed semantic relations in the two languages, some adjustments should be necessary to avoid misunderstanding or obscurity. Actually, after adjustments the formal equivalence is lost but the message of the original text is guaranteed as much as possible and meanwhile the response of the reader evoked by the translated version is taken into consideration. In a word, a better translation is born as functional equivalence is applied. The maintenance of functional equivalence can check the validity of the translation version.C. Functional Equivalence in textsThough the functional equivalence in the level of words and sentence has been discussed, there is no way to ignore the discussion of functional equivalence in the level of text. From what Neubert said: “translation is a textual process in which linguistic form and process are incorporated. Texts are the building blocks of communication in general and of translation in particular (10).” It is known to all that text is the complete and ultimate unit to convey information and message. When interpreting a text, it is crucial to lay emphasis on coherence and cultural background.The coherence in the target language is different from that in the source language. Accordingly, some adjustment should be made in translation. Coherence is crucial for any text, understanding of which is critical for the understanding of a text and then to the proper translation of the message of the text. In translation, functional equivalence is the very strategy to a successful rendition. Translators should bear in mind the coherent model in the original text and strive for being aware of the functional equivalence in order to guarantee the coherence between the two languages. To illustrate:Example6. It was the day by itself, coming after a fortnights storm and rain. The sun did not shine clearly, but it spread through the clouds a tender, diffused light, crossed by level cloud-bars, which stretched to a great length, quite parallel. The tints in the sky were wonderful, every conceivable shade of blue-grey, which contrived to modulate into the golden brilliance in which the sun was veiled. I went out in the afternoon. It was too early in the year for a heavy fall of leaves, but the nevertheless the garden was covered. They were washed to the sides of the roads, and lay heaped up over the road-gratings, masses of gorgeous harmonies in red, brown, and yellow.(115) 连续两个星期，一直雷雨交加，这个晴天也就分外难得。太阳并不灿烂，但是柔和的光线穿过条状云彩，向四处弥漫；条状云彩横贯长空，仿佛一条条平行线。天空的色彩美得令人惊叹，各种深浅不一的青灰色云彩，仿佛都在竭力化作一片灿烂金光，把太阳遮住。这天午后，我信步出门，这时候还不到败叶萧萧落的季节，但是花园已被落叶覆盖。落叶被雨水冲到路边，堆积在排水栅格上面，红色的、褐色的、黄色的叶子，一堆堆，一丛丛，既绚丽多彩，又和谐悦目。Both of the two are beautiful description of the peaceful scenery. A translator, due to the large difference between English and Chinese, is necessary to throw over the sentence structure of the origin after holding the meaning and understanding the authors conception. Then rearrangement is indispensible in order to achieve a better translation of the literary prose. The version above has cast a aesthetic effect in Chinese. The rendition “连续两个星期，一直雷雨交加，这个晴天也就分外难得” (It was the day by itself, coming after a fortnights storm and rain), the sentence sequence is almost contrary to the original sentence, but seems to be more suitable to the original text. It is also true in “masses of gorgeous harmonies in red, brown, and yellow”, the addition of words and phrases, on the contrary, harmo