AbstractThe question whether languages are translatable has been long discussed in the academic circle. This thesis briefly formulates the history and presents the condition of the research on the limits of translatability. Then, it clarifies its linguistic and cultural reasons and finds some ways to reduce the limits of translatability.Through explaining the relationships of language, culture and translation, Chapter 1 leads to the proposition of this thesis-the limits of translatability. Because of the inter-restriction and inter-influence between language and culture, translation, as a disseminative intermediary, means not only information exchange but also culture spread. Cultural universality makes translation possible, but its peculiarity brings about the limits of translatability. Chapter 2 expounds the notion, categories and causes of translatability limits. Chapter 3 points out the relativity of the limits of translatability, and then inquires into the translation strategies and compensating approaches that can reduce the limits of translatability. Chapter 4 belongs to the conclusion. Translation is a system of engineering, which interpenetrates linguistic and cultural levels, combining various kinds of elements. The translatability limits inevitably exists, but its relative and changeable. With the expansion of international cultural interflows, the limits of translatability can be reduced through translators constant efforts.Key words: limits of translatability; linguistic; culture; compensating strategies.摘要语言是否可译的问题在学术界长期争论不休，一直没有达成一致的见解。本文将对可译性限度的研究历史及现状作一个简单的介绍，然后阐明造成可译性限度的语言、文化方面的原因，最后找出降低可译性限度的方法。本文第一章通过对语言、文化和翻译三者之间相互关系的解释引入该论文的论题可译性限度。由于语言和文化的相互影响和相互制约，作为传播媒介的翻译不仅意味着信息的传递，还意味着文化的传播。人类文化的普同性使翻译成为可能，但文化的差异性又导致了可译性限度。第二章着重阐述可译性限度的概念、种类及产生的原因。第三章指出可译性限度的相对性，然后探讨降低可译性限度的翻译策略和补偿方法。第四章是对前三章的总结。翻译是一个贯穿语言、文化，综合各种因素的系统工程，可译性限度虽然存在，但它是相对变化的，随着跨文化交际的加深和翻译工作者的不懈努力，可译性限度终将降低。关键词：可译性限度；语言；文化；补偿策略ContentsAbstract1摘要2Chapter 1 Language, Culture and Translation51.1 On Culture51.1.1 The Definition of Culture51.1.2 The Categories of Culture61.1.3 The Traits of Culture61.2 Language and Culture71.2.1 Culture Contains Language71.2.2 Language Is the Carrier of Culture81.2.3 The Inter-influence between Language and Culture91.3 Culture and Translation9Chapter 2 The Limits of Linguistic and Cultural Translatability112.1 The Notion of the Limits of Translatability112.2 Two Causes of the Limits of Translatability122.2.1The Limits of Translatability as Are Rooted in Linguistic Anisomorphism122.2.2 The Limits of Translatability as Are Rooted in Cultural Anisomorphism132.3 The Limits of Linguistic Translatability162.3.1 The Limits of Translatability in Pronunciation162.3.2. The Limits of Translatability in Character Structure182.3.3 The Limits of Translatability in Vocabulary202.3.4. The Limits of Translatability in Figures of Speech212.4 The Limits of Cultural Translatability252.4.1 Material Culture262.4.2 Traditional Culture272.4.3 Religious Culture272.4.4 Historical Culture28Chapter 3 Ways to Reduce the Limits of Translatability303.1. Adaptation303.2. Borrowing (Transliteration)313.3. Translators Note323.4. Calque333.5. Paraphrase343.6 Contextual Amplification35Chapter 4 Conclusion36Aknowledgements37Bibliography38Chapter 1 Language, Culture and TranslationIn the study of modern theories of translation, the research of the interrelationship of language, culture and translation is of great importance and influence. The research of the relationship between culture and translation should be based on that between culture and language.1.1 On CultureThe research of the interrelationship of language, culture and translation is a prerequisite of the understanding of the definition, structure and basic traits of culture. This section will give a brief explanation of them.1.1.1 The Definition of CultureAs for culture, the definitions vary from one to another. A well-accepted one is “culture is the body of customary beliefs, social forms, and material traits constituting a distinct complex of tradition of a racial, religious or social group” (Springfield and Massachusetts, 1962: 552). It serves as a mirror reflecting the dynamic evolution of human society. Embedded in different societies, cultures naturally differ from one another. Distinctions between cultures are called “cultural incongruity”, which gives rise to lots of thorny problems in inter-lingual translation. However, such inconveniences are not perpetual, for cultures are in constant development “due to changes in their external environment and internal needs” (Dirk Delabastita, 1993: 17). Through clashes and exchanges, cultures interact and penetrate one another to the point that some traits of one culture gradually get integrated into another. In this way cultu