功能对等理论指导下中国农业典籍名称的英译处理——以《中国农学史》第五章为例

Translation for Titles of Chinese Agricultural Classics under the Guidance of Functional Equivalence Theory—A Case Study on Chapter 5 of A History of Chinese Agronomy

摘要: 中国农业典籍承载着丰富的农耕文明与文化内涵，其名称的准确英译是促进国际传播的重要前提。然而，农业典籍名称因语言凝练、文化特质浓厚，英译时易产生理解障碍。本文以《中国农学史》第五章中的农业典籍名称为研究对象，在尤金·奈达功能对等理论的指导下，探讨其英译处理策略。研究发现，通过对信息进行增删取舍、对人物称谓进行考证释义、对抽象题名进行转换表达等方式，可有效减少文化差异带来的误解，使译文在功能上与原文对等。研究旨在为农业典籍名称的英译提供实践参考，助力中国传统农业文化的国际传播。

Abstract: Chinese agricultural classics carry rich connotations of farming civilization and culture. The accurate English translation of their titles is a crucial prerequisite for promoting international dissemination. However, due to their concise wording and strong cultural specificity, these titles are prone to comprehension barriers in English translation. Taking the titles of agricultural classics from Chapter 5 of A History of Chinese Agronomy as the research object, and guided by Eugene Nida’s Functional Equivalence Theory, this paper explores strategies for their English translation. The study finds that by adding or omitting information as appropriate, verifying and explicating personal appellations, and transforming abstract titles through alternative expressions, misunderstandings caused by cultural differences can be effectively reduced, thereby achieving functional equivalence between the target text and the source text. This research aims to provide practical references for the English translation of agricultural classic titles and to support the international dissemination of traditional Chinese agricultural culture.