A Comparative Study On The English Translation Of Wenxin Diaolong From The Perspective Of Steiner's Hermeneutic Translation Theory

Translator Steiner in his work,After the Babel: Language and Translation,puts forward the four-fold steps of Steiner's hermeneutical-oriented translation theory: trust,aggression,incorporation,compensation,which reveals translation process and the relationship among the four steps.Steiner's theory has fully explained the translation process,making the translation process clearly visible and helping the academic community to further explore the essence of translation.Wenxin Diaolong is profound and magnificent,known as the representative of traditional Chinese literary theory.There are ten English versions on its translation,but few translator conbines Wenxin Diaolong's English version to Steiner's fourfold hermentutic translation motion theory.Based on Steiner's fourfold hermeneutic translation motion theory,the thesis makes an endeavor in taking the Wenxin Diaolong as the case study and analyzes the two English version of Wenxin Diaolong,exploring the guiding significance of hermeneutic translation theory on English translation of Wenxin Diaolong.The study shows that due to some factors such as different social backgrounds and translation concepts,Owen and Yang Guobin embody different translation features in Steiner's hermeneutic translation motion theory,namely,trust,aggression,incorporation and compensation,especially in translation purpose,translation strategy and translation effectiveness.Owen pays emphasis on the construction and development of western culture and embodies the Western-Centrism.And Yang Guobin pays more attention to the dissemination and spread of Chinese culture,showing a sense of committedpatriotism.During the process of conveying Chinese classical literary theories from different points,the two English versions show an interpretation of the same spirit:literature is the home of the soul.