方剂名中的概念隐喻及其英译探究

隐喻的认知特征让人们意识到,隐喻的翻译绝不仅仅是从一种语言符号转换成另一种语言符号,还应关注隐喻背后文化意义的传递。中医语言是一种基于隐喻认知的语言,从病因、病机到治疗再到方药无不渗透着隐喻的思维模式。然而,当前中医方剂名的英译存在诸多问题,概念隐喻的英译处理主要以直译策略为主,直接移植隐喻意象,由于文化的差异,译文往往失去原文所富有的文化意象,在英语中因不能产生原意象所触发的联想而失败。本文从隐喻的认知角度出发,提出对于方剂名中的隐喻翻译,译者的认知能力在隐喻的翻译中的作用不可忽视。译者对方剂名的认识不应该停留在语言层面,还应从认知的角度深入了解隐喻产生的心理基础,充分了解方剂名中可能含有的隐喻,并尽可能再现原文中的隐喻。此外,由于中医文化的异质性和民族特色,或音译,或加注解,需灵活采用翻译策略。对于结构隐喻采用喻义优先原则,译者应以传达原意象的含义为主要目标,通过意译法摆脱语言形式的限制,通过语义转换传达基本信息,再现隐喻含义。

Conceptual Metaphors in TCM Formulas and Their Translational Strategies

The cognitive features of metaphors make people realize that the translation of metaphors is more than conversion of one language codes into another.It also concerns the transmission of the cultural meaning behind the metaphor.Language of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is a cognitive metaphor-based language, with the cognitive mode of metaphor, ranging from the etiology, pathogenesis, treatment and then to the formulas.However, there are a lot of problems in the translation of TCM formulas into English.Currently, the translation of conceptual metaphors is mainly based on literal translation, and the metaphorical images are directly transplanted.As a result, due to cultural differences, the translational products often lose their rich cultural images and fail to produce the original image triggered by association in the source language.From the perspective of cognitive metaphor, as to the translation of metaphors in TCM formulas, we hold that the translator''s cognitive ability in metaphor translation can not be neglected.The translator should seek a deepened comprehension of psychological basis of metaphors, fully understand the possible metaphors in TCM formulas and then reproduce the metaphor in the target language to the best of their abilities.In addition, due to the heterogeneity of Chinese culture and national characteristics, flexible translation strategies should be adopted, such as pinyin transliteration and explanatory note.As to structural metaphors in TCM formulas, the translator should observe the principle that priority is given to transmission of the metaphoric meaning.The translator should aim at the meaning of the original images and convey the basic information through semantic conversion to reproduce its metaphorical meaning.