Translator’s Subjectivity From The Microsociological View

The subjectivity of translator has long been overlooked in the history oftranslation study, until the1970s, when “culture turn” opened up a new horizon fortranslation theorists. It broke the barrier of linguistic transition of traditional translationtheory, and led people to take a fresh look at translation and translator in a multi-facetand pluralistic view. No matter Skopos theory, hermeneutics or the theory of reflection,they all contributed a lot to establish the subjective role of translator, and provided avalid theoretical basis for the study of translator. What’s more, according to theinformation researches, it is known that translation study becomes an interdisciplinarysubject because translation activity is a complicated social activity.Microsociology was firstly put up by American sociologist George. C. Homans andwas systematically explained by Randall Collins in his book the Interactive RitualChains in which the interaction theory is combined. It provides a new perspective forsocial activity research. Translator, as a member of the society, his activity is also ofsocial nature.This paper analyzes change of translator’s role and status in the history of translationstudy and by borrowing Collins’ Microsociological theory, it argues the social nature oftranslation activity and the subjectivity of translator. It also puts forward the choicesmade by translator and factors affecting their choices. At last, it demonstrates thesubjectivity of translator through a case study of Ling Yutang and his work Six Chaptersof a Floating Life. This paper also emphasizes the subjectivity of translator and thecomplicity of their choice, tending to enlighten the practice of translation for further study.