论直译的英译

直译作为中国翻译界一个特有的名词至今仍为人们所常用,但是却很少有人对其涵义进行深究。中国人所说的直译和西方人所谓的literal translation并不是一回事,把直译简单地等同于literal translation无异于以辞害意,既不利于对直译的理解和使用,也不利于中国译论的对外传播。有人将其等同于字字对译而彻底加以否定;有人将其奉为至高的原则,并与意译对立起来,认为两者水火不能相容。这些观点往往只集中于直译的某个侧面,见木不见林,未免失之偏颇。直译的适用有其局限性,应与意译交相为用,方能产生好的译文。

On English translation of transliteration

Transliteration,as a special noun in China's translation circle,is still often used by Chinese but fewer people have thoroughly studied its meaning.Transliteration which Chinese called is not the same case as literal translation of westerners.If transliteration is regarded as literal translation,the meaning of transliteration is not properly explained,which is not only unhelpful to the understanding and use of transliteration but also is not helpful to disseminating China's translation theory to foreigners.Some people regard it as word for word translation to completely negate it and some people think of it as highest principle.Some people use it to be antagonistic to free translation and think that both of them are not in harmony.These opinions only focus on side-view of transliteration and do not understand the thorough meaning of transliteration.Application of transliteration is limited and the effect of transliteration will be better if transliteration is combined with free translation.