An Intertextual Perspective On Translation Of Cultural Elements In Chinese Poetry

Intertextuality is one of important concepts in Post-Modernism and Post-Stucturalism. In 1960s, Mia Kristeva, a French scholar, first put forward the concept of intertextuality. After Kristeva, many scholars have also developed the theory of intertextuality from different perspectives. Intertextuality is a way of observing and analyzing texts; while translation is the reproduction on the basis of understanding the original text. Therefore, it is feasible to introduce the theory of intertextuality into translation studies. Many translation theorists at home and abroad have made valuable exploration into the problems of translation from the new dimension of intertextuality. While more efforts need be made to translation practice of intertextuality theory. So this thesis focuses on the significance of intertextuality in terms of translation practice.In this thesis, the translation of intertextual signs in the poems of Hong Lou Meng is chosen as subject of the case study. Poetry, as the cream of a language, is full of cultural elements—in this case an intertextual signs, which bring about a lot of complications in translation. However, full consideration of intertextuality in translation can help the translator to effectively overcome the huge cultural obstacles and achieve more successful cultural exchange. This is further confirmed by the brief criticism on the two English versions of Hong Lou Meng, thus verifying the importance of intertextulaity in translation and the conveyance of cultural connotations.This thesis consists of seven parts. In the first chapter, introduction is made to describe the background, structure and research method of the study. Chapter two reviews the origins, development, representative theorists of the theory of intertextuality, which function as a framework for the following discussion. Chapter three explains its significance to translation study. Chapter four discusses the intertextual signs in poetry. Chapter five carries out a comparative study of the two English versions of the poems in Hong Lou Meng on different intertextual levels to find the merits and demerits of the two versions. In chapter six presents a discussion. On the basis of chapter five, a discussion is made on the different cultural orientations and translation strategies displayed in the two versions, as well as the importance of an intertextual approach to poetry translation. Chapter seven arrives at the conclusion that poetry translation is largely a matter of cultural transmission and an intertextual approach provides a new viewpoint in translating poetry. The translator should try his best to build the intertextual context so as to transfer the intertextual effects in poetry.