自是译界第一流——由林纾“二三流”选材说起，兼论其对中国文化走出去的启示

林纾的翻译在清末民初大受欢迎，但后期却受到广泛批评。很多学者认为其选材皆是“二三流作品”，原作者大多数属于“二三流小说家”，学界评论与林译本的接受形成强烈反差。本文认为后期学者对林纾选材的批评主要是出于政治等因素的考量，而林纾的翻译策略是适应时代的产物，对原文文本地位的评判应考虑历时性与动态性因素；原语文化中占据次要地位的文学作品经由翻译进入译入语文化系统，其地位会发生变化甚至提升；脱离了具体语境的“一流”与“二三流”之争无助于了解历史真相；对于林纾选材以及译本的评价应该结合具体历史语境给予合理的评判。文章最后探讨了林纾翻译方式和选材为中国文化“走出去”提供的借鉴。

Lin Shu’s translations, which were very popular in China around the turn of the 20th century, were also criticized for his choice of “second- or third-rate” source works by scholars of his time. The criticism stands in sharp contrast to his popularity among readers then. While pointing out that Lin’s modus operandi in translation conforms to the prevailing translation norms at that time, the paper argues that scholars’ scathing attacks on Lin Shu were mostly out of political motivations, not based on a diachronic evaluation of source texts. It is further argued that the status and function of a source text, which will change diachronically, cannot simply be replicated in target culture. Thus, the evaluation of Lin Shu’s translations should not be detached from the historical contexts against which his translation activity took place. The article concludes by pointing out how Lin’s translation method and selection of source texts can shed light on the currently on-going“ Chinese culture going global” initiative.