Qian Zhongshu As A Translation Theorist And Translator

Current researches on translation are no longer so obstinate in their pursuit of fidelity as a key criterion for assessing translation, paying more attention to the reasons that cause different translations. Scholars begin to realize that only by modifying their views in theory can translation be duly defined, because absolute fidelity is never attainable.The twentieth-century theories represented by Polysystem theory provide new perspectives, regarding translation as a part of the broader socio-cultural context rather than an isolated fragment or mere language issues.With descriptive translatology being increasingly more acceptable,the focus of the present translation studies is shifting from views of highly dependent nature of the translated text to an advocacy of a combination of intertextual and extratextual studies,laying emphasis to its independence both in form and value.Building on its author’s firm and long-standing belief in the independent nature of translated texts,this thesis aims to probe into the textual values of Qian Zhongshu’s translation and interpretation of English quotations in Tan Yi Lu(On the Art of Poetry) and its diversity, taking advantage of descriptive approach and text analysis as the theoretical framework and methodological foundation.Structurally, the thesis is composed of five chapters, among which the first chapter serves as a bird view of the whole, briefly stating the research background, motivation,methodology, its objective and significance in order to make the structure of the thesis perspicuous and clear.Qian’s cultural idendity as a preeminent scholar,fiction writer is also reviewed.The second chapter is a representation of Qian Zhongshu’s views on translation, arguing that his translation theory takes its shape by gaining enlightenment and insight from his quotaions from Chinese and Western classics and his critical studies of Daoan’s "Five Losses of Originals and Three Difficulties of Translation", and that Qian is revolutionary in his well accepted "sublimation theory". Exploring Qian Zhongshu’s views about language and meaning explicitly or implicitly reflected in "The Shift of Senses","Poetry as Expression of Dissatisfaction" and Qian’s comments on "Linshu’s Translation", this chapter analyzes the possible differences between "the ideal of translation" and "ideal translation", the correlation between translation criteria and translation practice, the role of translated texts in the target cultural context, aiming at a brand-new interpretation of Qian Zhongshu’s translation studies.Chapter Three and Chapter Four, which act as the the main part of the thesis.deal with the visibility and invisibility of Qian Zhongshu as a translator of English quotaions in Tan Yi Lu(On the Art of Poetry), aiming at the construction of the hierarchy of translated texts and the restructuring of the translation conception,basing its argumentation on the four aspects of text functions, i. e. transformation, information, creation,and aesthetic representation, which, combined to be an integrated whole, constitute the intrinsic value of the translated texts. Based on an advocation of Qian Zhongshu as a much accomplished translator, these two chapters also explore the independent nature of Qian’s translations in terms of their higher degree of readability. The author argues that Qian’s translations are independent works of art, a combination of translation, compilation and re-writing, filled with innovation and creation, and stand independent in its own right and has their own text values,and that the success story of a translated text in the target-cultural context is not told by the source text,but by itself.Conclusion summered from the previous analysis and major findings are given in the fifth chapter,pointing out that Qian Zhongshu is a combination of master of Chinese belles letters full of burning wit and formidable erudition,translation theorist with modern visions,and skillful and tacful translator put together.