中西方数字文化比较与翻译资料讲解.ppt

中西方数字文化观的比较与翻译 The Comparison of Number Culture both in English and Chinese and Their Translation “数是人类思维发展到一定阶段，为适应社会生产活动的需  要，在符号的帮助下产生的。”（苏金智，1991）“在科学 的数字世界里，它的功能是计算,是实数；而在人类心灵的 数字世界中，它的功能是表义，许多数字经过“神化”后成 为“玄数”、“虚数”、“ 天数”。它们有着极其丰富的外延和 内涵。”（王秉钦，1998） The numeral system is one of the indispensable semiotic systems with which human beings communicate, interact and transmit their culture in the course of understanding and transforming the world. A comparative study of the two numeral systems of English and Chinese may reveal the social features of the two systems and their respective cultural connotations , and consequently may facilitate intercultural or cross-cultural communication. “九”的文化对比分析 As for nine, the Occidental and Oriental cultures share some common features: Most people in the two cultures regard nine as mysterious and sacred number; Number nine refers to the majority as well as the number itself; Number nine is often used in the entertainment and sports activities. 在我国，数字“九”被认为是一种神秘的数字，它起初是龙形（或蛇形）图腾化之文字，继而演化出“神圣”之意，于是中国古代历代帝王为了表示自己神圣的权力为天赐神赋，便竭力把自己同“九”联系在一起,如“九五之尊”（imperial throne）；称官位仅次于皇帝的王爷为“九千岁”等。 “九”的文化对比分析 含有数字“九”的词汇也十分丰富。如，“九州”是指传说中的我国上古行政区划，后用作“中国”的代称; “ 九族”（the nine degrees of kindred: either the nine generations from one's great-great-grandfather down to one's great-great-grandson; or four generations of one's paternal relations, three generations of one's maternal relations, and two generations of one's wife's relations），古代有一种残酷的刑法叫“诛灭九族”；古代传说“龙生九子，各有所好”;民间传说中还有“九头鸟”（nine-headed bird: a fabulous bird whose appearance was for merely regarded as a bad omen）的故事。 此外，在文娱、体育等词汇中，数字“九”也比比皆是。如，许多歌名都以“九”开头：“九妹 ”、“九九艳阳天”、“九百九十九朵玫瑰”等；乐器中也有“九音锣”；在体育活动中，“九柱戏”（nine pins），兵器中有“九节鞭”［但这与西方文化中的“九尾鞭”（cat-of-nine- tails: an instrument of punishment so called from the nine pieces of leather or cord which compose it）］意义不大