文学作品只具有有限可译性——介绍季羡林先生的“橘枳说”

季羡林先生曾形象地利用古人关于橘和枳的论述来阐述文学作品只具有有限的可译性。他认为文学作品的＂意味＂基本不可译。这一现象有诸多原因：译文难以同时做到＂信、达、雅＂;部分作品思想性与艺术性高度结合,难以复制;东、西方人思维方式不同;汉语结构相对模糊;中国人好＂炼＂字;中国诗歌与禅趣密切相联等。该观点描述了翻译学的一个普遍规律,支持了文学翻译应追求神似的观点,并强调了反复推敲译文词句的必要。

Literature Has Only Limited Translatability JI Xian-lin's Theory of Orange versus Trifoliate Orange

Using the words of ancient people for describing the differences between oranges and trifoliate oranges,JI Xian-lin set forth the view that literature has only limited translatability.He held that the lingering charm of literal works is basically not translatable.This point of view is proves.Many reasons for this phenomenon of untranslatability are explained.The significance of the theory is also pointed out.