Alienation And Adaptation In Translation Of Chinese Classic Literature

In the field of translation there exist two approaches towards dealing with the cultural differences between the source language and the target language, that is, the principles of alienation and adaptation. Many translators have already studied the issue. Most of them think these two principles are inseparable, or not isolated from each other, and they are complementary to each other. That is, generally speaking, at any time in any particular translation, adaptation and alienation are adopted alternately or in turn. Neither of them can be used exclusively. However, an noticeable fact is that, because in the translation practice the translators are influenced by multiple and complex factors, such as the type and nature of the source text, the degree of the difference between the source and target texts, the purpose and objective conditions of the translating, the objective and subjective conditions of the translator - his /her cultural and educational backgrounds, and capabilities concerned, his individual preferences in appreciating culture and language, so on and so forth, they often go to either extremity in adopting the two approaches or principles. Thus, the key problem is how to apply the two principles appropriately, reasonably, scientifically. It is indeed a very complicated and comprehensive job to illuminate the application of alienation and adaptation in practical translation of cultural factors, which apparently can't be finished in a graduate thesis as this. To be practical, I am to concentrate my attention on a small topic, that is, as the title shows, Alienation and Adaptation in Translation of Chinese Classic Literature. Here of course, only translation from Chinese to English is treated, because I think, and people will agree, such a kind of translation is typical of cultural alienation and adaptation with its plenty of cultural expressions, I maintain that, in the translation of Chinese classic literature, preference should be unconditionally given to alienation, or it is advisable for translators to prefer alienation to adaptation self-consciously and thoughtfully, because such translation is normally for the purpose of cultural appreciation and introduction. We should try ourbest to apply alienation first, but turn to adaptation only when the former has proved to be impossible: its application may result in apparent inadequate reproduction of the original meaning, or bring confusion and unintelligibility to the target reader, thus it is of first importance to uphold faithfulness as the standard of translation. In order to demonstrate my theme forcefully, I cite the masterpiece A Dream of Red Mansions as the major examples. The two famous and representative English versions of {%L %?^?: One was translated by Yang Xianyi and his wife who prefer to apply "alienation" and the other by David Hawkes who mostly applies "adaptation", are compared, as they are sharply contrasting to each other in translating many expressions of rich cultural connotations.The thesis consists of five parts.The first part serves as the introduction to the whole theses, and discusses some prevailing views of the two approaches "alienation and adaptation". In translation practice, translators can't go to either extremity in applying the two translating principles as they are complementary to each other. Given the fusion of different cultures, it is a general tendency to apply the approach "alienation" first, while adaptation is an auxiliary way. And in the translation of our Chinese classic literature I particularly maintain alienation is primary and adaptation is secondary, together with the faithfulness as the standard of translation. Specifically, only those cultural factors and implications in Chinese classic literary works are used as my materials, with citation from the masterpiece A Dream of Red Mansion as the major examples. And two famous and representative English versions of it are compared.Chapter one suggests some decisive factors in the translation of Chinese classic literature in applying...