新概念英語第四冊翻譯入門：譯者必備的素質

A Brief introduction to Translation

翻譯原理入門

I. Definition

翻譯的定義

Translation, speaking, implies rendering from one language into another of something written or spoken. It is, essentially the faithful representation, in one language of what is written or spoken in another. It is the replacement of textual material in one language (SL-the source language) by equivalent textual material in another language (TL-target language).

翻譯，說起來其實是指把一種語言翻譯成另一種口頭或書面的文字。在這個語言轉換的過程中，翻譯的實質是對原來語言最忠誠的描繪。翻譯是等價目標語言對其源語言的替換。

II. Qualifications of a translator

翻譯者必備的素質

1) A translator must be well acquainted with the source language. We are inclined to feel too confident of our comprehension when we are reading foreign literary works. We think we know it from A to Z, yet, when we start translating it we find it difficult and there are many points misunderstood. We are playing the fool with ourselves because of careless reading. Therefore, translation serves as the best possible approach to the study of foreign languages.

一個譯者必須很精通源語言。當我們閱讀國外文學作品時，我們通常很自信於自己的理解能力。我們自以爲完全讀懂了文意，可是一旦開始翻譯就會遇到障礙，才發現很多地方都理解錯了。因爲閱讀不仔細，我們一味糊弄自己。爲此，翻譯充當着外語學習的最好方法。

2) A translator must be well acquainted with the target language. Let's take Yan Fu for instance: When Yan Fu, a famous translator in the Qing Dynasty, was translating "Evolution and Ethics and other Essays", the title turned out to be the crux that caused him to cudgel his brains day and night and look pale for it. His wife worried very much and thought about the representation of the title for quite time and eventually had it translated into《天演論》which has since deserved high praise up till now.

一個好的譯者必須很熟悉目標語言。讓我們看一下關於嚴復的小實例。我國清朝著名的翻譯家嚴復在翻譯《天演論》時，題目的翻譯成爲攻克整篇文章的難關，嚴復絞盡腦汁、夜以繼日地思考，甚至都日漸消瘦了。嚴復的妻子很擔心他，也幫着一起思考題目該怎麼取。思考了很長一段時間，最終把題目定爲《天演論》，一直到今天這個題目都爲他們贏得了很高的評價。

3) A translator must be armed with necessary professional knowledge.

一個好的譯者必須具備必要的專業知識。

4) A translator must be armed with the ability to live his part. As famous play writer Maryann pointed out: "a translator must enter into the spirit of character (regard himself as one that plays a role in a play). That is to say, he seems
1. present at the very spot.
2. involved in the very occurrence.
3. witnessing the very parties concerned.
4. interating the very utterances.
5. experiencing the very joy and annoy.
6. sharing the very weal and woe.
7. partaking of the glee and grief.

一個好的譯者必須具備活出他的角色的能力。就像著名劇作家瑪麗安說的：“一個好的譯者必須能夠進入到角色的精神層面（把自己當成話劇的一個角色）”。也就是說，他必須具備以下能力：
1. 親臨其境
2. 親臨其事
3. 親睹其人
4. 親道其法
5. 親嘗其甘，親領其苦
6. 親享其福，親受其哀
7. 親得其樂，親感其悲

5) A translator must be armed with the excellent ability of expressiveness and vivid imagination. "Toiling yourself and endure hardship for obtaining a well-chosen word" just as the famous poet Du Fu did "Never give up until an amazing poetic masterpiece is gained".

一個好的譯者必須具備出色的表達力和生動的想象力。“爲求一字穩，耐得五更寒” ，好的譯者還需要像詩聖杜甫那樣具有“語不驚人死不休”的精神與毅力。