功能对等视角下传记散文的翻译批评与鉴赏——以《In Memoriam: Rena C. Hayden》两译本为例

Translation Criticism and Appreciation of Biographical Prose from the Perspective of Functional Equivalence—A Case Study of Two Chinese Translations of “In Memoriam: Rena C. Hayden”

摘要: 本文以尤金·奈达的功能对等理论为框架，对传记散文《In Memoriam: Rena C. Hayden》的两个中文译本(下称“孙译”和“李译”)进行了系统地对比分析与评价。功能对等理论强调翻译应使译文读者获得与原文读者相近的阅读体验。本文通过具体译例，从词汇、句法、语篇和文化四个维度考察了两译本在人物塑造、情感表达、句式重构与文化传递等方面的处理策略与效果。分析发现，孙译在形式上更贴近原文结构，但在情感融入与文化意象传递上有所不足；李译则更注重译文的可读性与文化适应，通过灵活的句式调整与适度的显化翻译，更好地实现了情感共鸣与文化信息的有效传递。研究表明，功能对等理论对传记散文翻译具有指导意义，译本的成功不仅取决于语义准确，更在于整体文学效果与文化语境的再现。

Abstract: This paper employs Eugene Nida’s Theory of Functional Equivalence as its framework to conduct a systematic comparative analysis and evaluation of two Chinese translations of the biographical essay “In Memoriam: Rena C. Hayden” (hereinafter referred to as the “Sun translation” and the “Li translation”). Functional Equivalence Theory emphasizes that translation should enable target-language readers to achieve a reading experience similar to that of source-language readers. Through specific translation examples, this study examines the strategies and effects employed by the two translations in areas such as characterization, emotional expression, syntactic reconstruction, and cultural transmission across four dimensions: lexical, syntactic, textual, and cultural. The analysis reveals that while the Sun translation adheres more closely to the original structure in form, it shows certain shortcomings in emotional resonance and the conveyance of cultural imagery. In contrast, the Li translation places greater emphasis on the readability and cultural adaptation of the target text, achieving more effective emotional engagement and cultural communication through flexible syntactic adjustments and appropriate explicitation. The research indicates that Functional Equivalence Theory provides valuable guidance for the translation of biographical prose, and that the success of a translation depends not only on semantic accuracy but, more importantly, on the reproduction of the overall literary effect and cultural context.