A comparative study of English translations of Mencius from the perspective of ecological translation theory
生态翻译理论视角下《孟子》英译本对比研究

摘要

本文从生态翻译理论视角出发，聚焦理雅各与刘殿爵《孟子》英译本在语言、文化、交际三维度的适应性选择转换，探究不同译者的翻译策略与效果。采用对比分析法，系统研究两译本在三个维度的具体表现：语言维层面，理雅各译本以学术严谨性为核心，采用书面化用词、复式句法及早期音译策略，但存在句式冗余与文化语义泛化问题，而刘殿爵译本则通过动态凝练动词、复合形容词及现代音译，实现语义完整与表达流畅。文化维层面，前者注重语义完整性保留，后者强化跨文化可读性表达。交际维层面，前者保持学术客观性，后者增强互动性与传播效果。研究表明，刘殿爵译本更符合当代翻译生态环境需求，其“读者为中心”策略为中国文化外译翻译实践提供了理论支撑与实践参考。

Abstract

From the perspective of Ecological Translation Theory, this study employs comparative analysis to investigate the adaptive selection and transformation across linguistic, cultural, and communicative dimensions in James Legge’s and D.C. Lau’s English translations of Mencius. The research aims to explore translation strategies and effects of different translators while adhering to academic norms. Methodologically, systematic comparisons reveal dimensional specifics: In the linguistic dimension, Legge’s translation prioritizes academic rigor through formal vocabulary, complex syntax, and early transliteration but exhibits sentence redundancy and cultural semantic generalization. Conversely, Lau’s version achieves semantic integrity and fluency via dynamic verbs, compound adjectives, and modern transliteration. Culturally, Legge emphasizes semantic preservation while Lau enhances cross-cultural readability. Communicatively, the former maintains academic objectivity whereas the latter strengthens interactivity and dissemination efficacy. Findings demonstrate that Lau’s translation better aligns with contemporary translation ecology demands. Its reader-centered approach provides theoretical frameworks and practical references for Chinese cultural translation, validating the necessity of balancing cultural fidelity with cross-cultural adaptability. This study contributes replicable methodologies for optimizing classical translation strategies, offering direct implications for global dissemination of Chinese culture.