Representation Of Semiotic Meanings: A Study On The Translations Of Du Fu's Poems

The theory of semiotic meaning enables the interpretation of sign relations that a piece of work constructs in self-reflexive space as a sign structure, and of its relevance to external entities as a sign and meaning generated thereby. The semiotic perspective explores the world both inside and outside of the text so as to realize the multiple dimensions of text meaning. Therefore, the description of the representation of meaning in translations tends to be objective and accurate in a broader scope. The study of English translation of classical Chinese poetry in terms of semiotic meaning promises a new approach and breakthrough.Du Fu was one of the most significant figures in the history of Chinese literature. His works, rich in poetic form and style, represent the utmost essence of poetic art. This fact, along with the great compression of language and thought that marks many of his works, makes his poetry particularly difficult to translate. Nevertheless, there have been dozens of notable English translations. In view of this, their use as main research subjects is innovative and representative.This dissertation consists of five chapters. The first chapter is an introduction to the research significance, research questions, theoretical framework, sources of data and research methods. The second chapter, describing the evolution of semiotics, the impact of branches of semiotics in translation theory and practice and the development of semiotic approaches to translation, presents a short review of theory and practice of English translation of classical Chinese Poetry at home and abroad. The semiotic model as the theoretical basis of the research is established, and the semiotic nature and meanings of Chinese classical poetry elaborated. Of the third and fourth chapters, or the two core parts of the dissertation, Chapter Three conducts comparative analysis of the English translations of Du Fu's poems at three levels: referential meaning, intralingual meaning and pragmatic meaning. It probes into how the meanings were represented, what translation strategies were employed and what caused mistranslations. Chapter Four reconstructs the factors involved in the process of meaning representation, such as translatability, constraints, translation process, translation principles and translation strategies. The last chapter summarizes the main findings briefly and points out the limitations of the study, followed by some possible directions for future research.The major research questions and findings are as follows:1. What are the advantages of studying translation of classical Chinese poetry into English from the perspective of semiotics?This perspective promotes extensively the thinking patterns in translation by exploring the translation of poetry in the light of linguistics signs, human activities and social and cultural context. The translation of poetry is not a closed static system, but an open one that adjusts and adapts itself. The unceasing exploration of meaning of signs helps enrich and perfect poetry translation theories. Dynamic interpretation of semiotic meaning directs researchers'attention from the uniqueness of poetic signs to the openness of semiosis. The center of translation shifts to the interactive relations among the writer, the translator and the reader.2. How are the three meanings represented in the English translation of classical Chinese poetry? What are the major barriers and what strategies are used to overcome these barriers?The differences between Chinese and English at the three levels of semiotic meaning pose major barriers in translation. The translators have each had to contend with such problems. The vacancy in referential meaning is compensated for by means of literal translation, transliteration, free translation, literal translation plus annotation and transliteration plus annotation. At the level of intralingual meaning, the translators resort to various compensation methods, either the equivalent expressions in English or defamiliarization techniques. Pragmatic meaning is closely related to various cultures. Domesticating translation and foreignizing translation have their respective advantages.3. Can the approach of semiotic meanings offer a new angle for such controversial issues in translation studies as literal translation and free translation, domestication and foreignization, form and content, translatability, constraints, translation process, translation principles and translation strategies?Emancipated from the limitations of text, the semiotic approach sees translation as a special intersemiotic interaction (cross-lingual and also cross-cultural interaction). Those controversial issues have been resolved. What is left is a simple and reduced question, i.e. how to analyze, interpret and convey the multiple meanings of the original as fully as possible. Translatability is relative. Constraints include the original work, the translator and the reader. Translation process is semiosis, in which many factors should be taken into consideration so as to represent meanings at the utmost, especially the poeticity displayed when the semiosis emphasizes the signifier. The translation strategies are diversified. Rhymed verse, literal translation and foreignization have priority, complemented by free verses or prose, free translation and domestication.4. Is it possible to construct a theoretical mode of representation of semiotic meaning in English translation of classical Chinese poetry?The semiotic approach enables a strong analysis mode of meaning and has a significant impact on the exploration of the meaning of poetry. A theoretical mode of representation of semiotic meaning in English translation of classical Chinese poetry can be established. The break-down of three meanings is conducive to the understanding of the relations between them. Translatability, translation process and translation strategies, the translator and retranslation have been reconsidered. The mode can serve as a better methodology in the C-E poetry translation and shed light on translation criticism.5. What enlightenment and reflections can be obtained from the comparative analysis of translations of Du Fu's poems?The existence of these translations reflects the diversities of the translators'interpretation and translation strategies. The dual opposition between bad or good translation should be discarded. Instead, the motivations behind are worth investigating. Different translations provide reference to later translators and encourage more scholars and translators to work on the translation of Chinese poetry and produce excellent translations. Retranslation is needed and necessary.This dissertation, the first of its kind on the translation of classical Chinese poetry from the perspective of semiotics in Chinese, is intended to contribute to the development of translation studies, literary criticism, linguistic studies and cultural studies.