从译者主体性论阿瑟·威利《道德经》误译及其原因_英语论文

On Mistranslation and Its Causes in Tao Te Ching’s Translation by Arthur Waley fromTranslator’s Subjectivity

摘要

《道德经》不仅是一部哲学经典，同时也是一部文学经典。它在国内外有着深远的影响力，因此也有多种译本。该文旨在以阿瑟·威利翻译的《道德经》版本为个案,从精神文化词、形象比喻词和数词这三个方面来说明该译本所存在的诸多误译及翻译不当现象,并从译者主体性角度探究其原因。

关键词：阿瑟·威利；《道德经》；误译；译者主体性；原因

Abstract

Tao Te Ching is not only a classical philosopical works, but a literary works, which has great influence at home and abroad, so many translated versions appeared. Focusing on Tao Te Ching translated by Arthur Waley, this thesis attempts to analyze the mistranslations in it. Besides, the thesis will illustrate the mistranslations and improper translation phenomenon from the three aspects of spiritual cultural words, metaphor words and numerals. Furthermore, the thesis makes a further research on the causes of the mistranslation from the translator’s subjectivity.

Key words: Arthur Waley; Tao Te Ching; mistranslations; translator’s subjectivity; causes

Contents

1. Introduction 1

2. Literature Review 1

2.1 Study on the translation of Tao Te Ching at home 2

2.2 Study on the translation of Tao Te Ching abroad 2

3. Arthur Waley’s Mistranslations of Tao Te Ching 3

3.1 Spiritual cultural words 4

3.2 Metaphor words 5

3.3 Numerals 6

4 . Analysis of Mistranslation and Improper Translation in Tao Te Ching from Translator’s Subjectivity 7

4.1 Definition of the translator’s subjectivity 7

4.2 General manifestation of the translator’s subjectivity 7

4.3 Causes in the limitations of the times 9

4.4 Causes in the translator himself 10

5. Conclusion 10

Works Cited 12