昨天读到一篇关于“咬文嚼字”的争论,很有意思,我们也来小争一下。以前曾跟人争过“我夫人”这用法是否妥当,这回讨论一个英文词。
大家大概都看到过“头脑风暴”这词,也都知道这词来自于英文 brainstorm。虽说语言是约定俗成的东西,只要大家都接受,就可以了,但这个直译是否恰如其分地表达了原文的意思呢?
根据 dictionary.com,
brainstorm
n : the clear (and often sudden) understanding of a complex situation
v : try to solve a problem by thinking intensely about it
brain·storm
v. intr.
To engage in or organize brainstorming
v. tr.
1. To consider or investigate (an issue, for example) by brainstorming.
2. To think of or produce (a solution to a problem, for example) by brainstorming
根据网上英汉字典,
brainstorm
n.
1. 集体研讨;集思广益
The marketing team brainstormed for hours in designing the marketing campaign for the new product.
行销小组脑力激荡多时,集思广益,设计新产品的行销策略。
2. 计上心头,灵机一动;突来的灵感
After months of futile labor, the scientist suddenly had a brainstorm and solved the problem.
数月努力,徒劳无功,科学家突发奇想,问题迎刃而解。
3. 【医】脑病发作;突然精神错乱
看上去,brainstorm大概是绞尽脑汁,群策群力,集体探讨的意思,为什么非要用“头脑风暴”这样并不太容易让人理解的直译呢?除了哗众取宠外,也许是象“群策群力,集体探讨”这样的词汇由于我们的国情容易被淡化理解或误解,而不能表达出原文的确切含义?
刚写完,忽然发现一个连接,里面对“头脑风暴”作了专业性的的解释,oh, well….