抗战前分析学知识的传入 王尚济译著《解析数学讲义》探析

王尚济是近代中国对传入分析学知识扮演过重要角色的人物。其译著《解析数学讲义》自1922至1930年翻译而成,是法国数学家古尔萨的法文名著Cours d’Analyse Mathématique第1卷和第2卷前半部分的最早中译本。王尚济翻译此书与他曾受教于古尔萨,执教北京大学数学系时学生理解古尔萨此书原本大都尚有困难而其英译本存在明显缺点,合适的中文分析学教科书又匮乏的背景密切相关。《解析数学讲义》虽然存在一些翻译方面的问题,但不失为一部基本忠实原文、语言通俗易懂、译者对底本理解较为准确的高水平译著。囊括了所有古尔萨修订和改进的内容,是其胜过英译本之处。这部译著的出版对于抗战前古尔萨原书最新介绍的分析学知识的传入与大学分析学中文教科书建设均具有重要意义。其出版后被一些高校用作教材,但没有再版,流传不广,未能对中国现代数学发展产生重要影响。

The Introduction of Knowledge of Mathematical Analysis into China before the Anti-Japanese War:Study on A Course in Mathematical Analysis Translated by Wang Shangji

Wang Shangji is a scholar who ever played an important role for introducing modern mathematical analysis into modern China. A Course in Mathematical Analysis had been translated by him from 1922 to 1930. It is the earliest Chinese translation of the volume one and the first half part of volume two of French mathematician Edouard Goursat＇ s masterpiece Cours d＇Analyse Mathematique. He translated the masterpiece closely related with backgrounds that he ever was taught by Edouard Goursat, and when he began to teaching in the department of mathematics of the National University of Peking, most students couldn＇ t well understand the masterpiece because the language harrier, the book＇ s English translation had obvious disadvantages, Chinese textbooks of mathematical analysis were rare as well. Although it exists some problems in translating, A Course in Mathematical Analysis is a high level translation. It basically faithful to the original version, used easy understanding language, and with the translator＇ s more accurate understanding. Its better place than the English translation is that it covered all the content revised and improved by Edouard Goursat. The publication of Wang＇ s translation had the important significance both to the introduction of the latest knowledge of mathematical analysis in Edouard Goursat＇ s book and to the construction of textbook of mathematical analysis in universities and colleges before the Anti-Japanese War. Although A Course in Mathematical Analysis was used by some universities and colleges after publication, it wash＇ t reprinted and didn＇ t circulate widely. Therefore, it didn＇ t take an important impact on the development of modem mathematics in China.