A Study On Lin Shu’s Chinese Translation Of Joan Haste From A Perspective Of Translation Ethics

Lin Shu is one of the greatest translators in China. He and Yan Fu, the translator of Tian Yan Lun (Evolution and Ethics and Other Essays in English), were referred to as the two greatest translators in late Qing Dynasty. Lin Shu was a pioneer in translating western fictions in China and his translated works were quite popular. Jia Yin Xiao Zhuan, Joan Haste in English, is one of his most popular translation. Since its publication, this translation drew much attention. Some even joked that Jia Yin Xiao Zhuan and Cha Hua Nv Yi Shi (La Dame aux Camelias in French), another romantic novel translated by Lin Shu, trigged China’s revolution in modern period. It is even listed as one of the one hundred most influential translated works in modern China by Zou Zhenhuan. The influence of Jia Yin Xiao Zhuan can be seen from the above. However, compared with its status in China, research on Lin Shu’s translation of Joan Haste seems insufficient. In view of this, this paper chooses Lin Shu’s version of Joan Haste as the topic to study. Moreover, among studies on Jia Yin Xiao Zhuan, none has been carried out from the perspective of translation ethics. This M. A. thesis is the first attempt to discuss Lin Shu’ version of Joan Haste from the perspective of translation ethics.Ethics is moral norms governing interpersonal relationships. Translation, as a communicative activity involving participants such as translator, author, reader, and even commissioner, naturally should be regulated by ethics. The concept of "translation ethics" was first put forward by Antoine Berman in 1984. Later, it attracted many scholars’attention. Among these scholars, Andrew Chesterman, a Finnish translation theorist, contributed most. He divided translation ethics into five models, namely, ethics of representation, ethics of service, ethics of communication, norm-based ethics and ethics of commitment. Chesterman’s Five Models of Translation Ethics has great explanatory power. So the author intends to adopt his models to analyze Lin Shu’s translation ethics in his version of Jia Yin Xiao Zhuan, serving as an example of the applicability of Chesterman’s Five Models of Translation Ethics and a proof of the inference that all translation activities are governed by ethics.This paper analyzes the embodiment of representation ethics, communication ethics and norm-based ethics in Lin Shu’s version of Joan Haste. It is found that for proper names, appellation words that are unique to western culture, some other culture-loaded words, western customs, allusions and proverbs, narrative time, plot and story organization of the novel, Lin Shu observes ethics of representation, preserving the original appearance of the novel as much as possible and presenting exotic and new elements to Chinese readers, although sometimes readers may get confused. For word games, some culture-loaded words and appellation words unique to western culture, and narrative time of the novel Lin Shu abides by ethics of communication to facilitate the understanding of Chinese readers by giving explanations.In terms of choice of language, appellation words, layout of letter, contents that conflict with Confucian ethics, and book title, Lin Shu complies with the norm-based ethics to make his translation acceptable in late Qing Dynasty. These findings show that Chesterman’s Five Models of Translation Ethics does have great explanatory power and Lin Shu’s translation of Joan Haste is governed by ethics. Lin Shu’s honoring specific translation ethics, ethics of representation, ethics of communication and norm-based ethics depends on his purposes and view on translation. At last, limitations of the thesis and what is worth further research are pointed out.