A Study Of The Subjectivity Of Sinologist Translators

Subjectivity refers to the initiative embodied in human cognition of the objective world.And during the process of translation practices,translators are thought of as one of the significant subjects who enjoy subjective dynamics and initiative.They undertake the task of bridging together the source texts and readers from the target languages and have the right to decide the presentations of translated texts.Furthermore,sinologist translators,one of the translators’ societies,are indispensable subjects during the course of the “Going Global” of voluminous Chinese classics,among which Tao Te Ching is a typical representative.Statistically,it is only outnumbered by Bible from the west in terms of the number of published translated versions,indicating that studies on its exportation outward are naturally of academic relevance.However,the fact is that the subjectivity of sinologist translators represented in their translation practices has not been paid enough attention to.Therefore,research on sinologist translators may serve as a starting point of great value for such studies.With the translator’s subjectivity being its perspective,this thesis is carried out mainly by qualitative research supported by quantitative analyses.Besides,three representative sinologist translators(namely Legge,Waley,and Minford)from different historical periods,including their English translations of Tao Te Ching,have been chosen as the objects to be examined in this thesis.Since the translator’s subjectivity is embodied in the purposes stimulating translators to translate the source texts,the intended readers of their translated texts,the styles of their textual translations,and the paratextual features demonstrated in their translated texts,this thesis is planned to be developed by zeroing in on the following four questions: Firstly,what are the purposes motivating these sinologist translators to translate Tao Te Ching into English? Secondly,for whom do they translate Tao Te Ching into English? Thirdly,what are the styles embedded in these translators’ textual translations? Fourthly,what are the features of these translators’ paratextual designs?Research results reveal that the translator’s subjectivity is embedded in both pre-translating and while-translating phases.During the stage of pre-translating,these sinologist translators firstly share their English cultural awareness and contexts which stimulate them to keep aligned with their own cultural positions and defend their own cultural values during translation.Secondly,their purposes for translation vary greatly.Legge treats it as one of the Chinese religious texts on account of his missionary identity.Waley intends to have his translation academicized by putting the text in the system of ancient Chinese philosophy.Minford hopes that his translation can inspire his readers to meditate on their own lives.And all these different purposes have led to varied intended readers.Legge mainly aims his translation at missionary readers.For Waley,his translation is chiefly a supply for the general anthropologist.And Minford’s translated text is oriented toward the general public who are not specialists or professionals at all.When it comes to choosing the source text,however,they share their reference to the source text.With regard to the while-translating phase,their textual translations boast distinct features.The statistics provided by Word Smith Tools 8.0 unveil that both the mean sentence length and the degree of richness in word use of Legge’s translated text register the highest among the three.Waley’s translation is characterized by the lowest degree of richness in word use.With regard to Minford’s version,the lowest mean sentence length can be observed.In terms of paratextual designs,their styles differ as well.Legge’s paratextual designs are relatively plain,and those of Waley’s seem to be academicized.And Minford’s paratexts are rich in Chinese elements.All their distinct textual styles and paratextual features are closely associated with their different translation purposes.Based on the study’s major findings,it can be figured out that the three sinologist translators have given full play to their subjectivity during their Tao Te Ching translation processes,which can be verified in their translations of distinct styles.Thus,it can be concluded that the translator’s subjectivity may play a significant role in manipulating the presentation of translated texts,which is inspiring for later-on exportation of Chinese classics.