评《科学革命的结构》新译本

美国托马斯·库恩的《科学革命的结构》(TheStructureofScientificRevolutions) 1](以下简称《结构》)算得上是 2 0世纪学术史上最有影响的著作之一。其影响不仅仅限于科学史、科学哲学、科学社会学等相关领域 ,而且延伸到社会学、文化人类学、文学史、艺术史、政治史、宗教史等人文和社会科学领域。对于从事科学史研究的人来说 ,《结构》当然是一本必读之书。近来因准备开设“科学史导论研讨班”课程 ,自然要把《结构》列入该课程的必读参考书目。但大陆的老译本现已不易找到 ,正巧我在书店中看见北京大学出版社最近出版的《结构》新译 …

On the New Translation of Kuhn' s The Structure of Scientific Revolution

This essay reviews the new translation by Jin Wulun and Hu Xinhe of Thomas Kuhn's The Structure of Scientific Revolution, published by Beijing University Press (2003). Two previous Chinese translations of the book exist: one is translated by Li Baoheng and Ji Shuli, published in Shanghai in 1980; the other is by Cheng Shude et al, published in Taibei in 1989. The new translation is problematic. It is no better than the former one, which is itself not recommendable, and is not a match to the latter. The examination of a sample of 22 short paragraphs discussing the nature of a paradigm, reveals an alarmingly high rate of occurrence of mistakes. Also, it reveals that the second translator, translating the second half of the book, used the Taibei translation as his major reference, but did not mention it. As a result, the second half of the translation is very similar to the Taibei one; but at the same time it has some improvements made by the new translator. Finally, the author laments on the general low quality of translation works in current academic world of China.