作为认知目标与工具的翻译:概念隐喻理论视域下的翻译隐喻-《南京师大学报》（社会科学版）

文章信息/Info

Title:: Translation as Both Epistemological Target and Tool: Analyzing Translation Metaphors from the Perspective of Conceptual Metaphor Theory

Keywords:: translation metaphor; “YI IS YI译即易”; translation as target domain; translation as source domain

摘要:: 中外有关翻译的理论话语中充满了隐喻,可分为两个大的类别:一类为“翻译即X”,另一类为“X即翻译”。以概念隐喻理论为工具对这些翻译隐喻进行分析后发现,前一类隐喻中,翻译是作为目标域概念的认知对象,具有本体论意义; 而后一类中,翻译则是作为始源域概念用以识解和表征其他活动的工具,具有方法论意义。中国传统译论中的“译即易”这一思想深刻地揭示了翻译最为核心的特征,以之为根隐喻构建出的概念隐喻层级系统,更好地揭示了中外译论中形形色色的翻译隐喻话语背后的认知动因。与此同时,“译即易”这一根隐喻对于翻译核心特征的突显,也为翻译能够作为始源域去识解与表征诸如教育、跨组织知识转移等概念域的动因提供了更为合理的解释。

Abstract:: The theoretical discourse on translation in both Chinese and Western contexts is replete with metaphors, which can be broadly categorized into two main categories: one is “TRANSLATION IS X”, and the other is “X IS TRANSLATION”. Utilizing Conceptual Metaphor Theory as a tool, an analysis of these translation metaphors reveals that in the former type of metaphor, translation is conceptualized as the cognitive object, i.e., the target domain concept, imbued with ontological significance. In the latter type, translation is conceived as an epistemological tool, i.e., the source domain concept, for construing and representing other entities, thus carrying methodological significance. The profound insight of the Chinese traditional translation theory “YI IS YI译即易”(TO TRANSLATE IS TO CHANGE)encapsulates the core feature of translation. By using it as a root metaphor, a hierarchical system of conceptual metaphors is constructed, which delves deeper into the cognitive motivations underlying the diverse array of translation metaphor discourses in both Chinese and Western translation theories. In addition, this root metaphor “YI IS YI译即易” not only highlights the core feature of translation, but also offers a more rational explanation for translation being able to serve as a source domain for construing and representing conceptual domains such as education and cross-organization knowledge transfer.