浅议翻译理论的历史沿革

翻译作为一种普遍存在的语言观象,是实现跨语言、文化交流的重要工具.从某种意义上说,成功的翻译活动是否在一特定文化中存在,将决定该文化发展、更新和自我适应的能力.任何具体的活动都离不开系统的理论指导,翻译活动也不例外.翻译理论在不同的历史发展时期具有不同的观点,对其进行总结,可以揭示翻译理论的基本发展导向,未来的研究重点和方向.

A Historical Review of Western Translation Theories

Translation, as a common linguistic activity, is an important tool of cross-language and inter-cultural communication. In a sense, the very existence of successful translation activities in a specific culture will determine the chance for the development, self-renewing and adaptation of that culture. Any concrete activity needs a theory as its guiding force and translation is not an exception. A brief review of the development of western translation theories along the historical dimension may shed some light on our understanding of the future trends in this field.