48. 古代译经时的分工协作实在让人难以想像

译经的分工合作
The Division of Labor in Translating Scriptures
长安的佛经翻译是集体的事业
The translation of Scriptures in Chang'an is a collective undertaking,
往往设有多道的程序
which tends to have multiprogram.
当这一种译场制度发展到了唐太宗的时候
When this kind of translation system developed to the years of Tang Taizong,
已经非常的严密 分工细致
it was already very strict and meticulous.
在玄奘大师主持的译场里面
In the translating forum presided over by Master Mahāyānadeva,
通常有25个人一起来参加翻译工作
there were normally 25 people working together.
人数多的时候有50余人 少的时候也有10来个人
The range of people involved is maintained between 10 to 50.
玄奘大师将译经活动进行了11种分工
Master Mahāyānadeva has divided translation activities into 11 parts.
一. 译主
One: Master Translator
译主是译场的主持人
Master Translator is the host of the translating forum,
负责宣读贝叶经梵文的原文 并讲解它的意思
who is responsible for reading out the original text of the Pattra and explaining its meaning.
二、证义
Two: Philological Assistant
证义是要坐在译主的左边
Philological assistant needs to sit on the left side of the Master Translator
跟译主讨论已经翻译的意思和梵文有什么不同
and discuss with him on what is the difference between the translated meaning and Sanskrit.
三、证文
Three: Text Appraiser
证文也叫证梵本
Text appraiser is also called Sanskrit appraiser,
他坐在译主的右边 听译主高声朗读梵文
who sits on the right side of the Master Translator and listens to him reading the Sanskrit loudly.
他就留心就注意译读的梵文的本身是不是有错误
He pays attention to whether the Sanskrit the Master has read is wrong.
四、度语
Four: Transliterator
担任度语的人 他主要的职责是
The main duty for the transliterator
根据梵文的原本 把它写成中文
is to rewrite the Sanskrit texts into Chinese character,
但是仍是用梵音来标注
However, these characters are still Sanskrit sounds.
五、笔受
Five: Translator-scribe
笔受是将度语所标注的梵文的发音
According to the sound of Sanskrit marks by the transliterator,
按照汉语语法和句式写成汉文
the translator-scribe writes the texts by following the Chinese grammar and sentence patterns.
如担任度语的人只写素怛览sutram
For instance, if the transliterator only writes sutram
担任笔受的受的人就要把它翻成中国的经字
the translator-scribe needs to re-write it into Chinese
sutram就对应中国的经字
“Jingzi”, which sutram corresponds to.
六、缀文
Six: Text Editor
缀文的职责 是对笔受形成的文字再进行推敲
The responsibility of the text editor is further deliberating the words the translator-scribe formed
让文字更加地自然通顺
in order to make them more fluent.
比如说波罗蜜多
For instance, the expression Paramitta,
如果笔受直译的时候写的是彼岸到达
if the translator-scribe writes the other side arrives when he translates it,
这是印度的表述方式
as is used in Indian,
那么缀文的人就要把它写成我们中国人的习惯
then the editor needs to write it in the Chinese way,
叫到达彼岸
i.e., arrives the other side.
七、参译
Seven: Proof Reader
担任参译的人一方面校勘原文是否有误
People who are proof readers need to check whether the original text is wrong,
一方面再由译文回证原文
and verify the original text by the translation,
就是把译文重新翻回梵文
which means turning the translation back to Sanskrit
看看二者是否完全相合
to see if they are exactly the same.
八、刊定
Eight: Subeditor
担任刊定的人
Subeditors are responsible for
他的责任是负责对译文删除重复冗长的部分
deleting redundant parts of the translation.
九、润文
Nine: Stylist
润色文章 担任润文的人
A stylist is a person who embellishes the article.
他主要的任务是对译文再加润色
His main mission is to polish the translation.
担任刊定的人他的工作主要是删
The job of the subeditor is to delete;
而担任润文工作的人正好反过来
whereas the stylist reacts against that.
他的工作主要是什么 是增加
What is his main job then? It is to add.
十、梵呗
Ten: Brāhma
担任梵呗的人 他在以上的程序都走完了以后
After all the above procedures have been completed,
用高声念经的调子 把新翻译的经文朗诵一遍
Brāhma needs to chant the newly translated text in a high voice
来检验它是不是顺口 是不是顺耳
to check whether it’s pleasuring to both mouth and ears.
因为佛经被翻译出来以后是干什么
After all, the translated Scriptures are for
要给人大声地念诵的
people to read loudly.
十一、监护大使
Eleven: Guardian Ambassador
是朝廷里面派来的官员
They are officials sent from the imperial court,
负责译场的日常的监管工作
who are in charge of daily supervision,
有什么困难 就替你解决
Solving whatever difficulties there might be, and
需要什么支持 就给你提供支持
Providing whatever supports the translators need.
大家可以想像
You can imagine
玄奘大师的译经之所以能够登峰造极
the reason why Master Mahāyānadeva’s translation can reach the peak
既有个他人才华出众的原因
is not only for his talent,
也有大批的优秀人才相助的原因
but also out of the help from lots of excellent people.
可以说是风云际会时 时势造英雄
It can be said that riding on the crest of success and the situation will always make heroes.