“缘”的嬗变及其译法的多元与协调

doi:10.12339/j.issn.1673-8578.2025.06.035

摘要/Abstract

摘要：

“缘”（繁体字为“緣”）作为汉语一级字，使用频率高、用途广。“糸”这一字形暗示了“缘”本义与丝线相关，体现出编织、连接的特性。后来“缘”字词义延伸表示相互关系，并在佛教传入中国后，进一步丰富和深化。在文学作品中，“缘”字的含义更加广泛和多样化，具有不同层次的诠释。其作为重要文化负载词，展现出丰富内涵与深刻意蕴。文章通过回溯“缘”字的词源历史，深入分析其语义内涵和文化投射，详细探讨其在不同历史阶段和文化背景下的意义选择，由此展现“缘”字这一简单字符背后蕴藏的丰富历史与文化脉络，以及其翻译技巧中的多重协调，以期为文化负载词翻译方法提供参考。

关键词: “缘”, 文化负载词, 词义演变, 英译, 翻译技巧

Abstract:

：As a level 1 character in Mandarin，“Yuan（缘）” is a high-frequency，multifunctional word.Originally derived from the component “糸” （silk thread），its earliest meaning was related to spinning and weaving.Over time，the meaning has expanded to relationships and connections，and been further enriched after Buddhism was introduced to China.As an important culturally-loaded term，the meaning of “缘”has become even more diverse for multiple interpretations in literature，which reflects its rich connotation and profound significance.Tracing from the etymological history of “缘”，this paper analyzes its semantic meanings，cultural projections and aims to examine the different meanings of “缘” and the corresponding translation at various historical stages and within cultural contexts.This way，the paper reveals the rich historical and cultural context behind the simple character “缘”and the multiple coordinated translation techniques，therefore providing a reference for the translation of culturally-loaded terms.

Key words: “缘”, culturally-loaded terms, semantic evolution, English translation, translation techniques

于天博, 陈璐明. “缘”的嬗变及其译法的多元与协调[J]. 中国科技术语, 2025, 27(6): 149-154.

YU Tianbo, CHEN Luming. The Concept of “Yuan（缘）” and Its Translation Strategies[J]. China Terminology, 2025, 27(6): 149-154.

图/表 5

参考文献 13

[1]	陈祝琴. “仆倒”义动词语义演变的系统性考察[J]. 语言学论丛, 2019(1):191-225.
[2]	荀恩东, 饶高琦, 肖晓悦, 等. 大数据背景下BCC语料库的研制[J]. 语料库语言学, 2016, 3(1):93-109.
[3]	孔令翠, 蒙兴灿编.实用汉英翻译[M]. 成都: 四川大学出版社,2002:64.
[4]	郭潇. 语言游戏与翻译:《论语》的跨文化阐释——以印地语译本为例[J]. 外语研究, 2025, 42(3):4-11,113.
[5]	杨晓荣. 翻译研究的实践理性精神[J]. 外语研究, 2025, 42(2):76-80,113.
[6]	谭占海, 田兴斌. 唐诗中文化负载词的英译策略研究:以“x花”为例[J]. 湘潭大学学报(哲学社会科学版), 2018, 42(4):158-161.
[7]	潘海鸥, 王琳琳, 邹祎晨, 等. 跨文化传播视角下《黄帝内经》运气学说文化负载词英译策略研究[J/OL]. 中华中医药学刊, 2024,1-10[2024-12-16].
[8]	王杨. 生态翻译视域下古典小说与当代小说文化负载词的英译对比研究:基于《儒林外史》译本和《活着》译本的分析[J]. 西北民族大学学报(哲学社会科学版), 2023(2):147-155.
[9]	楼淑琦. 谢家桥一号汉墓出土“锦缘绢地乘云绣荒帷”的修复[J]. 文物保护与考古科学, 2010(3):55-60.
[10]	郭卫东. 丝绸、茶叶、棉花:中国外贸商品的历史性易代——兼论丝绸之路衰落与变迁的内在原因[J]. 北京大学学报(哲学社会科学版), 2014, 51(4):133-143.
[11]	杨祖荣. 佛国净土与因果:以《维摩诘经·佛国品》的注疏诠释为中心[J]. 宗教研究, 2016(2):116-129.
[12]	罗炅, 高玉海. 对《西游记》在英语世界中国文学史集中呈现方式的考察[J]. 外语研究, 2025, 42(1):106-112.
[13]	张帆, 刘华文. 中国哲学典籍翻译的译释层次分析:以《传习录》英译文本为例[J]. 外语研究, 2024, 41(2):94-99.

中文原文		都道是金玉良缘，俺只念木石前盟。
英文译本	David Hawkes	Let others all Commend the marriage rites of gold and jade； I still recall The bond of old by stone and flower made；
	B.S.Bonsall	All say that gold andjade are a happy affinity. But think of the kermis covenant made between grove and stone.
	H.Bencraft Joly	All maintain that the match between gold and jade will be happy. All I can think of is the solemn oath contracted in days gone by by the plant andstone！
	杨宪益戴乃迭	Well-matched，all say，the gold and the jade； I alone recall the pledge between plant and stone.

中文原文		都道是金玉良缘，俺只念木石前盟。
英文译本	David Hawkes	Let others all Commend the marriage rites of gold and jade； I still recall The bond of old by stone and flower made；
	B.S.Bonsall	All say that gold andjade are a happy affinity. But think of the kermis covenant made between grove and stone.
	H.Bencraft Joly	All maintain that the match between gold and jade will be happy. All I can think of is the solemn oath contracted in days gone by by the plant andstone！
	杨宪益戴乃迭	Well-matched，all say，the gold and the jade； I alone recall the pledge between plant and stone.

“缘”的英文对译	中文例句（译出）	英文例句（译入）
Fate（be fated to）	有缘居此地，	He’s fated to live in this place，
Lot；portion	有分有缘休俗愿，	It’s his lot，his portion，to quit earthly zeals：
chance	猴王参访仙道，无缘得遇。	The Monkey King searched diligently for the way of immortality，but he had no chance of meeting it.

“缘”的英文对译	中文例句（译出）	英文例句（译入）
Fate（be fated to）	有缘居此地，	He’s fated to live in this place，
Lot；portion	有分有缘休俗愿，	It’s his lot，his portion，to quit earthly zeals：
chance	猴王参访仙道，无缘得遇。	The Monkey King searched diligently for the way of immortality，but he had no chance of meeting it.

“缘”的英文对译	中文例句（译出）	英文例句（译入）
reason	这是什么缘故呢?	What is the reason?
arise from	革命的发生是由于人口太多的缘故吗?	Do revolutions arise from over-population?
as a consequence of	因为吸烟的缘故，我父亲经常咳嗽。	As a consequence of smoking，my father coughs frequently.
for	2009年1月，因学习缘故，我买了一台新的宏Aspire 4930型号的笔记本电脑。	I purchased a new Acer Aspire 4930 laptop for my studies in January of 2009.
because of	那件昂贵的邮件由于霜的缘故而延搁。	The costly post was postponed because of the frost.