A Study Of Equivalent Dialect Translation By Zhang Guruo

In literary works, dialect plays a significant role in the aesthetic indication. It cancontribute to the description of figures and regional characteristics in the novel, increasing theimage of literary works. However, it is always a difficult problem suffering many translatorsin the process of English-Chinese literature translation. Zhang Guruo, a famous Chinesetranslator, makes use of Shandong dialect to translate Wessex dialect in Hardy’s novels,which has gained success in translation practice. This method is scientifically namedequivalent dialect translation and it has set an example in dialect translation for a long time.However, in recent years, some scholars criticize this method for its limit and shortage inglobal cultural communication. They claim that this method doesn’t conform to the demandof times and can not achieve equivalence in the function between dialects both in target textand source text. Besides, they think it may cause the reception difficulty to Chinese readersand limit the range of readers. Due to these reasons, equivalent dialect translation can not beeffective in English-Chinese literature translation.This thesis takes Tess of the D’Urbervilles translated by Zhang Guruo as a case study onequivalent dialect translation proposed by Zhang Guruo. It intends to prove whether thismethod is effective in dialect translation. It is on the basis of example comparisons and theoryanalysis. Firstly, it presents the basic definition, functions of dialect and its usage in Chineseand western literary works. Then, it approaches the purpose of translator from the scopostheory and verifies the achievement, and also it makes an analysis on the response of readersby the theory of reception aesthetics. In addition, this thesis makes use of the book ShandongDialect Dictionary and makes sure that the words selected belong to Shandong dialect. Bythis way, the research can be carried out more scientifically and correctly. Through thecomparison of Chinese-versions by Zhang Guruo and Sun Fali, the differences betweenequivalent dialect translation and Chinese colloquialism translation are obviously shown. Themethod of equivalent dialect translation is proved to be more successful in achieving thetranslation purpose of Zhang Guruo. By the theory of reception aesthetics, in the process oftranslation, translator is not only a role to translate works but first as a reader to accept the original work and then to transfer the information. After reading the first text created by theauthor, the translator will take the most effective method to covey the original informationand satisfy or even increase the difficulty to suit “horizon of expectations” of target readers.Based on the above theory analysis and example comparisons, it is obviously shown thatthat equivalent dialect translation is successful to achieve the translator’s subjective purposeand have a good reading effect in practice, and also it doesn’t make a reading obstacle forChinese readers and on the contrary it can increase the artistic effect to the translation work.Thus, the method of equivalent dialect translation is an effective method in literary dialecttranslation. Therefore, this thesis draws a conclusion that the views questioning on theeffectiveness of this method are not reasonable and this method still has its uniquesignificance in the dialect translation theory and practice, which is a successful translationmethod to guide the literary translation practice. In dialect literary translation, the translatorcan follow this method and make a selection of a kind of dialect on the basis of his ownlanguages. A selection of a dialect should be according to the functions and characters ofdialect in source text, and also consider the equivalent dialect in Chinese language. By thisway, on one hand, it can remain the effect and features in the original work; on the other hand,it can spread the Chinese languages and culture and create more qualified translation works.The thesis belongs to the research on translation thought of Chinese translators, whichcan devote contribution to construct Chinese translation theory by comparison betweenwestern and Chinese cultural patterns. It can improve the development of Chinese traditionaltranslation theory and avoid translation researches merely based on western translation theory.The analysis on the feasibility of equivalent dialect translation could give a better direction inthe dialect translation practice. It is a better method which can be used in literature translationso as to introduce more foreign literature books in a more reasonable way. The translationquality will be improved accordingly and therefore it will make contribution to culturalcommunication between China and western countries. In addition, approval on dialect usagecan satisfy the need to adapt to the trend of the times, which is helpful to the development ofcultural diversity. It also can promote the abundance and prosperity of Chinese language andculture.