总的来说,在追求字面意思的准确对应方面,理雅各译文是学术严谨的典范,况且他的译文为许多后来的译者提供了参考,其历史价值不容抹杀。然而从审美价值来观照,在传递原文的意趣,在译文的文学表现力方面,莫顿的《庄子之道》更胜一筹。比较译文的审美必然通过感知,即存在主观判断的成分,但即便是看似客观的定量的分析其实也离不开主体对研究对象的规定,所以不存在绝对客观的所谓描述性研究。此处论述只是一家之言,希望能尽量做到客观、公允。
2.英译“庄子葬礼”
原文:庄子将死,弟子欲厚葬之。庄子曰:“吾以天地为棺槨,以日月为连璧,星辰为珠玑,万物为赍送。吾葬具不备邪?何以加此!”
弟子曰:“吾恐鸟鸢之食夫子也。”庄子曰:“在上为鸢之食,在下为蝼蚁食,夺彼与此,何其偏也!”
莫顿译文:
When Chuang tzu was about to die,his disciples began
Planning a splendid funeralBut he said:“I shall have heaven and earth for my coffin;the sun and moon will be the jade symbols hanging by my side;planets and constellations will shine as jewels all around me,and all beings will be present as mourners at the wake.What more is needed?Everything is amply taken care of!”