A Study Of "Elegance" As A Concept Of Translation Aesthetics

"Elegance" originates from Chinese classical aesthetic thought,extends from literary theory to the theory of literature and art,and is introduced into translation theory by the enlightenment thinker Yan Fu's translation thought of "Faithfulness,Expressiveness,and Elegance",which shows unique and vigorous aesthetic vitality.However,most of previous studies are confined to translation standards and translation techniques without concerning the perspective of aesthetics.As a kind of aesthetic idea,"Elegance" has rich and distinctive aesthetic connotations,which raise endless controversies in translation circles.However,most of the studies on "Elegance" still focus on judgment of translation criteria,and only rest on preference of written styles.As a matter of fact,the essence of these studies concerns rhetoric style and the theory of literary quality,which lacks the aesthetic exploration of "Elegance" from the perspective of aesthetic theory.This thesis goes beyond translation standards,explores “Elegance” as a concept of translation aesthetics.On the basis of the Chinese traditional aesthetic form and translation aesthetic theory,the study takes the view of aesthetic history into consideration,centering on mutual translation between Chinese and English,constructively initiates a systematic and specific discussion on "Elegance".In the spirit of symbiotic and mutual associations between translation theory and practice,this thesis explores the following aspects of "Elegance" as a concept of translation aesthetics,ranging from its historical meanings and aesthetic connotations,its operational mechanism and practical dilemma,the artistry and aesthetics of "Elegance",to its value in the construction of the theoretical system of translation aesthetics.Therefore,this thesis is a systematic exploration of the aesthetic concept of "Elegance" in the field of translation aesthetics,and a specific probe into the translation theory and the aesthetic operation mechanism in translation practice.It opens up and develops the spectrum for academic thinking in translation aesthetics studies,implements the mutual verification of theory and applied practice of translation aesthetics,and promotes the development and perfection of translation aesthetic paradigm.This thesis consists of five parts.First,the part of introduction mainly reviews the research of Chinese traditional translation theory,translation aesthetics and aesthetic consciousness of "Elegance",and clarifies the theoretical resources and clues,then gives an overview of the research methods and innovation value.The first chapter discusses the historical evolution of “Elegance” as a concept of translation aesthetics.Yan Fu's translation thought of "Faithfulness,Expressiveness,and Elegance" is concise and profound,in which "Elegance" is carried out and adhered to in his very own translation practice.“Elegance” presents a distinct and concise aesthetic view of translation style,which adapts to the aesthetic choice of target readers and highlights the aesthetic standards of discourse aesthetics and translation elements.In the historical development and extension of "Elegance" as a concept of translation aesthetics,there are mainly four different paths concerning its aesthetic meanings and significances.First path sticks to the stylistic style of the original work in translation,that is,the theory of stylistic form of "Elegance",which fundamentally advocates the importance of the stylistic style and formal effect of the original text that translation must reproduce and actualize.The second path puts emphasis on the independent aesthetic value of the translated works,putting forward the theory of artistic aesthetics of "Elegance",and calls for the realization in translated works of the aesthetic pursuit of translation style and beauty of the form.It also highlights that the style of translated work is unique,even comparable to the original text.Third,the path leads to another direction,constructively puts forward the aesthetic acceptance view of "Elegance",which gives concern to the readers who should be regarded as one of the most important parts in translation.Their cognitive level,aesthetic preference and aesthetic acceptance should be appreciated seriously.This path points to the two aesthetic values of translation aesthetic activities;they are actualization of artistic efficacy in translation and actualization of readers' aesthetic acceptance.Fourth,the path rests on the establishment of aesthetic realm of "Elegance" in translation,seeking for the realm of“similarity in spirit” and “sublimation” in translation.The second chapter mainly makes analysis and elaboration on the aesthetic connotations of "Elegance" from the perspectives of translation process and the nature of translation.It explores the aesthetic connotations of "Elegance" from three dimensions and one aspect.Firstly,the awareness of the beauty of language is a premise and a guarantee for translators to understand source texts,and recreate the beauty of language in translated works.Translators should pay great attention to the linguistic structures and artistic features of both source language and target language,as well as the conversion between them and presentation of them,these are the meanings of the beauty of the language,and these are one of the aesthetic connotations of "Elegance" as a concept of translation aesthetics.Secondly,from the dimension of translation style,"Elegance" is no longer confined to rhetoric or stylistic form,but has become an integral representation of the original style and temperament in the target text.Translators need not only the great efforts from the aspects of language,grammar and style,but also should be required the further endeavors from the points of aesthetic perception,aesthetic imagination,aesthetic understanding and aesthetic judgment.Thirdly,from the perspective of culture,we should recognize specific cultural characteristics of the language,and transform the cultural characteristics of source language and target language.Besides,we should complete the semantic transformation and cultural value conversion between languages by applying the translation method of paraphrasing,with the purpose of finishing the task of cultural reconciliation via the transformation between the original texts and the target languages.In general,the aesthetic connotations of "Elegance" as a concept of translation aesthetics are as follows: at first,translators transplant the original work from source language to target language,which is the recreation of language form;secondly,translators reproduce the appearance and temperament of the original work in the target language,this is the recreation of stylistic value;thirdly,translators transform the cultural characteristics of the original text into the translated work to seek for the reconciliation between two vastly different cultures,which is the recreation of cultural value.Finally,this chapter puts forward the last aesthetic connotation of “Elegance” from the aspect of the dialectical relationship between "elegance" and "vulgarity".The concept and practice of "separation from vulgarity" in translation aesthetics referring to the transformations of language,style and culture,which are the methods and criteria of evaluating and judging whether the process of translation and the translated work conform to "Elegance" as a concept of translation aesthetics or not.The idea of "separation from vulgarity" aims at the manifestation of "Elegance",it does not adhere to the opposition of "elegance",and it does not neglect the influence of social,historical and cultural context.It exhibits the characteristics of harmony,and it is recognized as one appropriate translation aesthetic value and efficacy strategy.Chapter three mainly discusses the operational mechanism and practical dilemma of “Elegance”as a concept of translation aesthetics.It probes into the operational mechanism of “Elegance” within the range of aesthetic subject and object.From the perspective of aesthetic subject in translation,"Elegance" requires translators to give full play to their aesthetic consciousness,to obtain aesthetic judgment and to implement the strategy of aesthetic expression.Translators should not only find the improvement of structure of knowledge,the advancement of analytical capability,the enrichment of thinking mode,but also have the ability of self-evaluation,and the insight of the social and historical context,in order to get the self-consciousness and self-confidence.From the aspect of aesthetic object,"Elegance" requires us to realize that the valuable translation object is not simple,but diverse and complex,and it is an organic integration or an intricate complex that needs to be accurately understood.In addition,aesthetic information of aesthetic object has rich cultural value;therefore,translation aesthetic activities should have a responsibility to express culture.Finally,as an aesthetic creation,the value of translation is seeking for the dialectical unity of aesthetic subject and object.As a concept of translation aesthetics,"Elegance" has its universal applicability.It has rules and requirements not merely for the conduct and talent of translators,but also for the quality and value of translated works.Indeed,it is recognized as the aesthetic goal and ideal of translation,which has the strong sense of paradigmatic significance.In translation practice,all translated works undoubtedly embody the translators' aesthetic ideas,however,in most cases and at most of the time,there are still disconnections between concept and implementation of concept.This thesis selects cases of mutual translation between Chinese and English to illustrate the complexity of disconnections between concept and practice.The part of conclusion is intended to sum up the significance of the research.As a concept of translation aesthetics,"Elegance" is not only a translation theory with characteristics of Chinese traditional philosophy and aesthetics,but also an aesthetic idea which carries the translators' aesthetic ideal and embodies the aesthetic need,aesthetic judgment and aesthetic realm from the aspects of language,style and culture.The establishment and construction of “Elegance” as a concept of translation aesthetics are helpful to deepen the understanding of translation activities and their functions,to expand the study area of translation aesthetics,to develop the theoretical studies of translation aesthetics,to make clear the cognition of Chinese philosophy and aesthetics and their roles in translation aesthetics,as well as to facilitate the construction of translation aesthetics concepts systematically.On the micro level regarding practical significance,as a concept of translation aesthetics,"Elegance" is able to establish the aesthetic standard of translation,put forward the aesthetic paradigm of translation in the aspects of language,style and culture.It is still capable of setting a value lever for conveying the external and internal meanings,expressing aesthetic feelings and creating aesthetic values of the text.Particularly for Chinese researchers and translators,the translation aesthetics concept of “Elegance” contributes to the complete understanding and thorough recognition of the unique value and significance of Chinese in mutual translation activities between Chinese and English.In addition,the conclusion also points out the reflection of deficiencies in this study and the thought on the follow-up research.As a concept of translation aesthetics,"Elegance" embodies the goal and value of translation,conveys the realm and transcendence of translation;it is indeed a translation theory which finds its root in Chinese traditional aesthetic form,and which seeks for a chance to construct as an artistic concept of language aesthetic creation.In other words,the aesthetic consciousness and the aesthetic idea of language and artistry should be the important contents of translation aesthetic theory.Therefore,the construction and development,as well as the breakthrough and innovation of Chinese translation theory,fundamentally require us to establish the modern and scientific concept of translation aesthetics.