A Study On Female-image Reconstruction In Giles’ And Quang’s English Translations Of Liaozhai Zhiyi From The Perspective Of Imagology

As translation inevitably entails the transmission of nationally and culturally constructed symbols,norms,and values,it plays a role in originating,developing,or transforming country and nation image.As foreign translators translate Chinese literature,they accordingly reconstruct an imagined image of China in the translated text.When the imagined image gradually permeates into their culture and gets fixed,the translated text would become a resource for other foreign readers to know about China and then would influence their views about China.The theory and research results of imagology or image studies are of great value to studies about how translators participate in the construction or reconstruction of countries and nations through translation.By exploring the process of image reconstruction in translated texts of Chinese literature with a wide readership,it is useful to observe the channels and views that other countries have about China.The study compares Giles’ and Quong’s English translations of Liaozhai Zhiyi to analyze the process by which female images in translations are reconstructed,and to analyze the causes of image discrepancies between two translations.In light of the theoretical framework of Imagology,the study examines how female images are reconstructed from four character-indicators in the translated text with tools of linguistics.It also conducts a descriptive analysis of the underlying reasons from the imaginaire social and image constructors.It is concluded that Giles and Quong reconstruct different Chinese female images for foreign readers.Giles draws the staid,reserved and graceful female image with apt discourse and equable demeanour,while the female image in Quong’s translated text is of alive discourse,lovely appearance and nimble movements,and sensitive and distinctive emotions.Generally,Giles creates the staid and elegent Chinese female image and further emphasizes the importance of marriage for women,while Quong constructs the distinctive and appealing female image.The proper female image reconstructed in Giles’ translation is influenced by social requests for females’ chastity and “family consciousness” in the Victoria era Giles lived.Quong as a drama player emphasizes the nuances of movements and dialogues of different female characters,which to some extent coincides with the features of drama,the so-called art of action.Given the gender of the translator,Quong as a female translator inclines to highlight the distinctive charm and beauty of the female image,while in Giles’ translation,the female image within the sight of males gravitates to show personal qualities like loyalty and chastity.By exploring the process of image reconstruction of female images in Liaozhai Zhiyi,the paper is favorable for how translation engages in the image construction of China.