汤姆叔叔的小屋的直译与意译

From Two translation version of Uncle Tom's cabin see the differences between literal translation and free translation The definition of Literal translation and free translation Literal translation It is generally believed that the literal translation is a method, which is faithful to the original text and form. In fact, literal translation emphasizes the “form similarity”. It requires the accordance between the original passages and the translated one in the choice of word, syntax and styles. of the western theorists argue that we should give the priority to literal translation when translating articles(P15,Approaches to Translation by Peter Newmark).Because literal translation can preserve the original articles, for example the original text, form and figure of speech. What?s more, the literal translation can make the translated version and the original one have the same appeal. However the disadvantage of literal translation is obvious. It makes the translated version difficult for the target language readers to understand. Free translation Free translation is the way to, according to the main meaning of the original passage, translate a sentence without paying attention to the details, for example the form of the source language, figure of speech and the structure of sentence. Free translation should accord with target language and customs. Then target language readers can accept translation easily. Some of our Chinese theorists insist on using free translation in order to preserve the article …lingering charm. For example, LiuMiqing, a famous Chinese theorist, holds the idea that only free translation can fully express the article? charm.(刘宓庆《文体与翻译》,中国对外翻译出版社,第27页)In addition, free translation can fully express the original passage when it is improper to use literal translation. What?s more, it can make the translation fluent and easy to understand by target language readers. Although most of translators adopt free translation, it brings some problems. If free translation is out of limits, it will distort the meanings of the original articles. Analysis of the main differences between literal translation and free translation 1.Have not many of us, in the weary way of life, felt in some hours, how far easier it were to die than to live? 张译:我们中间有许多人,在人生厌倦的道路上,不是有时候会感觉到,一死了之远比生活下去容易得多吗? 黄译:我们有许多人在令人厌倦的人生旅途中,不是有时候感到生不如死吗? 2.”What the devil?s got into Tom?” Legree said to Sambo.”A while ago he was all down in the mouth, and now he?s peart as a cricket. ” 张译:“到底有什么东西钻进汤姆的肚子去了呢?”雷格利问桑波。“一会儿以前他还是愁容满面,而现在却像蟋蟀一样愉快活泼。” 黄译:“真见鬼,汤姆是怎么了?”雷格里问山宝道。“前两天还是垂头丧气的,现在却这么精神勃勃。” In these two examples, we can see that Zhang?s version was literal translation, which was extremely faithful to the original text and form; its meaning was clean and acceptable. While Huang used the free translation making the language simpler and correct meaning .But it didn?t use the vivid metaphor like the SL, by contrast it was inferior to Zhang?s translation. Thus, we can say if using literal translation can make the meaning clean and also keep the charm of SL, we should not choose free translation as far as possible. And only when literal translation cannot preformat the beauty of the SL, free translation should be choose. FuLei had ever said that:” In effect, the translation should be like drawing the picture, in the desires of spirit likeness not in shape.” What he said spirit means the mind of original text. While good literature always has rich feelings and profound artistic conception, strong appeal and artistic effect, and som e time it?s needed to use free translation. Let look at the following example: 1.But to live,--to wear on, day after day, of mean, bitter, low, harassing servitude, every nerve dampened and depressed, every power of feeling gradually smothered,--this long and wasting heart-martyrdom, this slow, daily bleeding always of the true searching test of what there may be in man or woman. 张译:但是,活下去吧,-一天一天的时间过去,在卑贱,辛苦,低微,折磨的奴役之中,每一根神经都感到挫折与抑郁,每一种感觉的能力都被遏制,——到这长期损耗在心中的痛苦牺牲,这缓慢的,一天天血在流去的内心生活,一滴复一滴,一小时又一小时,——这是对男男女女的彻底考验,看他们到底是何等样人。 黄译:可是要活下去,在卑微,痛苦,下贱,恼人的奴役下,一天天消沉,颓唐,麻木不仁地捱下去,这种精神上的长期损耗和折磨,这种内在生命一点一滴,一个时辰一个时辰,一天一天的销蚀,这才是对人的本质最彻底的考验呢。 Obviously Zhang? version was seriously word-for-word translation, which was not conform to the expression habit of Chinese, and also was not easy to understand. While Huang broke the form of the SL, translated with the expression way of Chinese, and reproduced the original style and charm. 2.Long before his wounds were healed, Legree insisted that he should be put to the regular field-work; 张译:远在他的创伤治愈之前,雷格利就坚决安排他做正常的田间工作; 黄译:汤姆的伤还远远没有复原时,雷格里就逼她照常下地去干活; Zhang?s literal translation had explained the meaning of the SL correctly, but not good than Huang?, who had a further elaboration, showed Legree?s cruel personality vividly. 3.In the height of the season, Legree did not hesitate to press al his hands through, Sundays and weekdays alike. 张译:在这大忙紧张季节,雷格利毫不犹豫,胁迫全体工人工作,礼拜天和非礼拜天一样。 黄译:在农忙高潮时,雷格里索性逼着黑奴们连轴转,连礼拜天也不例外。 Zhang adopted literal translation, though meaning was correct, lost the style and charm of the original text. Relatively, Huang?s words were more attentively and beautifully. 4.“Come, Tom, don?t you think you?d better be reasonable!-heave that ar old pack of trash in the fire, and join my church!” 张译:“来,托姆,你不觉得明白道理比较好些吗?——把这本尽是废话的老书丢在火里,来参加我的教会!” 黄译:“得啦,汤姆,我看你还是放聪明点儿!把那本破书扔进火里去,改信我的教吧!” This was the words the master Legree said to Tom, which was colloquial. Thus, in the view of faith, translation should retain its Anglicize style. Zhang?s translation was seriously faithful in the form but having not shown the spirits of the original text and less emotional color. While Huang?s words made a vivid character of Legree, who was domineered and peremptory, conformed to the original text. From all above, word-for-word translation is so starchy, goes after the form of source language that it never think of the effect of target language. Because word-for-word translation does not accord with the expressive way of target language, it is obscure, hard to understand it even makes target language readers did not know what translator wants to express. Word-for-word translation makes target language readers confused. It is unqualified translation. Literal translation also keeps the general form of source language, and keeps the structure and the metaphor of the original. But literal translation does make some necessary adjustment; make target language smooth, clean and acceptable. After reading, target language readers can have almost the same feeling as the source language readers. But word-for-word translation only translate word by word, it is stiff and unintelligible. Quality of literal translation is good. Word-for-word translation is inferior. Literal translation and word-for-word translation can give different feeling to target language readers. All translation which is hard to accept, which have bad effect, which message is indistinct, which meaning is far from the original is word-for-word translation. This kind of translation is abortive. Some translation though that all translation keeps the form of the original is literal translation. That is erroneous. They confuse the conception of literal translation with word-for-word translation. These translators translate like this: first, they look up the meaning of every word of source language in dictionary. Then, they combine the meaning of every word, never do any change. They do not know what translation is, so word-for-word translation emerges. But excellent translators know the meaning of the original. When translating, they do some necessary adjustment; make target language clearer, smooth and acceptable. They know the difference between word-for-word translation and literal translation. They can use literal translation properly; it is a skill of translation. All in all, literal translation is not word-for-word translation. Literal translation is acceptable and nimble. 参考文献:Peter Newmark , Approaches to Translation,P15, 刘宓庆《文体与翻译》{M}中国对外翻译出版社,第27页 崔永禄《文学翻译佳作对比赏析》{M}南开大学出版社 张培均译:《黑奴吁天录》,漓江出版社,1982年 黄继忠译:《汤姆大伯的小屋或贱民生涯》上海译文出版社,1982年