Imitation Format Of Aesthetic Representation In Translation:Translation Of Rhetorical Devices In Shi Shuo Xin Yu

Shi Shuo Xin Yu,a novel depicting the tales of personage from the late Han Dynasty to the Wei and Jin dynasties,is hailed as an encyclopedia of that period.Characterized with both colloquialism and literariness,it has been acclaimed for abundant rhetorical devices masterly used by the authors.In this light,it is only natural that the translation of rhetorical devices into another language is of vital importance for the representation of the erudition,wittiness and virtues of the personage,as well as the social customs and cultural graciousness.Imitation,according to translation aesthetics,has an ontological significance for translation.In this regard,the present thesis concentrates on the aesthetic imitation of rhetorical devices in the English version of Shi Shuo Xin Yu(A New Account of Tales of the World)translated by Richard B.Mather.The thesis aims to respectively discuss dynamic imitations of phonetic,lexical and syntactical rhetorical devices,and explain the main causes of different extent to which dynamic imitations have happened.Meanwhile,the author also assesses the effect of aesthetic representation and provides suggestions for translation in cases of less effective aesthetic representation.It is concluded that reserving rather than downplaying both the form and features of rhetorical devices and SL-oriented imitation should be Mather’s general strategy on the condition that the meaning of the source text is accurately conveyed.Considering cultural compatibility,readability and reception of the target readers,the translator visibly gives priority to TL-oriented imitation and resorts to annotation of phonetic symbols,cultural background,rhetorical devices with similar effects,and elaborate notices and glossary in the appendices as compensation.