2010年2月25日 星期四

續《流氓國家》翻譯評論(02)

中譯《流》書第一章這樣開始:
如同許多其他政治論述的用語,「流氓國家」(rogue state)一詞有兩種用法:一是宣傳性的用途,用來辨別敵我之分,一是照字面上的意義,用來形容不把國際規範放在眼裡的國家。經過簡單的邏輯思考,我們可以推論,除非存在著國內的約束,否則最強大的國家應該是傾向於後者,而國內的約束一直是歷史上備受肯定的期許(?)
儘管何為國際規範並沒有定於一尊的答案,但普遍認同的基準仍存在。二次大戰結束後,這些規範部分被法典化為聯合國憲章、國際法庭的判決以及各種不同的協定與條約。美國認為自己可以不受這些規章的約束,自冷戰結束後更是如此,而且,由於它的超級強大,甚至連破壞規範的藉口都不太需要。(譯本p.001 全部)

原文:
Like many other terms of political discourse, the term "rogue state" has two uses: a propagandistic use, applied to assorted enemies, and a literal use that applies to states that do not regard themselves as bound by international norms. Logic suggests that the most powerful states should tend to fall into the latter category unless internally constrained, an expectation that history confirms.
Though international norms are not rigidly determined, there is a measure of agreement on general guidelines. In the post-World War II period, these norms are partially codified in the UN Chart, International Court of Justice decisions, and various conventions and treaties. The US regards itself as exempt from these conditions, increasingly so since the Cold War ended, leaving US dominance so overwhelming that pretense can be largely dropped.(原文p.1, 第一段,第二段中)

光看中譯,大部分看似正確,只有「而國內的約束一直是歷史上備受肯定的期許」這句不知所云。
各位可以先試閱原文,然後比對一下譯文,甚至試譯出來也可以。
譯文的分析與批評,請見《流氓國家》翻譯評論(3)(流02,待續)

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