“南极”术语翻译引发的思考:语言经济原则与非同质术语翻译

在当代的语言环境下,非同质术语做同质化翻译的现象并不鲜见。作者以地理术语“南极”一词的翻译为例展开讨论,阐明具有不同内涵概念的术语在翻译过程中会被简化为同形异义词,从而违反了术语学“一词一义”的原则。作者主张,对于非同质术语应力避同质化翻译;概念相近、内涵不同的同类词应有明显区别,专词专译,使它们的中文译名的区别如同英文原名那样鲜明。同时指出,社会文化导向对于非同质术语的正确翻译也是具有一定影响力的,在这一方面应予以重视。

Discussion on Terminology Translation: Language Economic Principles and a Homogeneous Terminology Translation

Non-homogeneous terms sharing a homogenized translation is a widespread phenomenon under contemporary language environment. Based on the translation example of South Pole and Antarctic in geographic domain, we point out that the homogenized translation of homogeneous terms violates the “one word one signification” principle. We insist that this translation mistakes should be avoided, and words with similar connotations should be translated exactly according to their origin names. We also point out that social cognition has certain orientation to term translation.