從比較語言學來探討口譯的問題

黃素月

《翻譯學研究集刊》 1輯 (1996/05) Pp. 91-102

https://doi.org/10.29786/STI.199605.0007

摘要

法庭上一些口譯的問題可以從字彙、社會語言學及口語結構分析學的角度來看。從字彙上來說，某些語言的某個概念在另一種語言中並沒有對等的詞語，或是有數個對等語，而每個對等語所使用的情境都不同，譯者必須仔細分辨。從社會語言學來看，每種語言在稱呼他人及表達恭維、慶賀、抱歉及尊敬之意時，會有不同的表達形式。即使是在對話者決定如何輪流講話，及要不要回答對方的問題時，也有不同的表達方法。此外，在不同語言中，男女講話方式的差異，以及人們對男女使用的語言的不同反應，也使口譯的工作更複雜。再從口語結構分析學來說，每一種語言在敘說事物時，都有一些獨特的形式架構。如果譯者逐字直譯，聽眾會感覺敘述的方式怪異，因而對說話者的教育背景產生負面的印象。如果譯者自作主張，按照聽眾所用的語言的形式架構來翻譯的話，又容易犯錯。以上的問題，不見得每個都受到重視，然而個個都不容忽視。

關鍵字

口譯 ； 語意學 ； 口語結構分析學 ； 比較修辭學 ； 社會語言學

並列摘要

Many problems in court interpretation can be analyzed from the aspects of lexical repertoire, sociolinguistics, and discourse patterns. Regarding lexical repertoire, scholars have found that a concept may have a linguistic representation in one language but not in another. Even if its equivalent does exist in another language, it may be represented in several forms, and each of these forms may be used in a restricted situation. Therefore, interpreters must make careful analysis. In regard to sociolinguistics, research has shown that each language offers its own unique forms for addressing people, showing respect, and expressing compliments, congratulations, and apologies. Turn-taking patterns may also be different. In addition, the degree of gender differences in language usage and the way people perceive those may vary with each language. These issues tend to complicate interpreters' work. Regarding discourse patterns, scholars also claim that each language presents unique patterns. If interpreters interpret literally, the audience may suffer from the dissonance caused by the difference in the rhetorical structures used in the two languages involved. Thus, for example, the audience may have negative perceptions about the educational background of the speaker. If interpreters edit the original discourse into a form acceptable to the audience, based on their own judgments, they may risk making mistakes in these judgments. All of the above-mentioned problems have received little attention, but this does not mean they should be taken lightly.

並列關鍵字

interpretation ； semantics ； discourse analysis ； contrastive rhetoric ； sociolinguistics