Subjectivity Of The Translator And Its Effects On Literary Translation

Traditional translation theory holds that a translator should be objective, should reproduce original text faithfully, and should be able to seek a freedom from the tyranny of subjectivity. This dissertation proposes that the obtrusion of translators in translation practice derived from subjectivity does exist whether we admit it or not, and any translated texts are results of translators' motivated choices.Starting with a revisit to the notion "translation", "translator" and that of "culture", the thesis reiterates the importance of studying translation as a process in intercultural communication rather than an end product, and therefore translator's cultural identity should never be neglected. This is especially the case in literary translation, which has its own special characteristics compared with other kinds of translations.The notion of "translator's subjectivity" is elaborated on through reviewing related theories and through examining the manifestations of translator's subjectivity The "Cultural Turn" in translation study, especially polysystem theory, Skopos theory, and deconstruction theories are reviewed to help understand the connotation of translator's subjectivity from different perspectives. Translation, as a conclusion, should be viewed as a kind of cultural interaction, and translators always provide vital links enabling different cultures to interact.On the basis of the above theoretical framework, this dissertation then explores the manifestations of translator's subjectivity in translation practice. Translator's subjectivity runs through the whole process of translation (from the understanding of source text and the expression of his/her understanding). In the latter category, target culture background, intended readership, guiding translation theory or. strategy of the translator, and the position of translated literature within literary polysystem are all factors that influence translator's subjectivity, which then leads to different translated texts. In this part, translators' own justifications of their translation strategies are carefully examined instead of simple linguistic comparison of different translations. In this way, translators are no longer "invisible", but being studied as a decisive factorin translation study.The effects of translator's subjectivity are examined through case study of several influential translators in history, such as Lin Shu (林纾), Yan Fu (严复), and Lu Xun (鲁迅). The emphasis here, again, is not laid on version-to-version comparison, but on the exploration of reasons why different versions come into being.But, the dissertation further points out that, translator's subjectivity should not be overemphasized as personal likes and dislikes, that is to say, we need to notice the "invisible hand" behind every translators' subjectivity, that is, the social background and ideology of the time, because every individual is a part of the society he/she lives.Through the study of translator's subjectivity, the dissertation puts forward some new thoughts on translation studies, especially on translation criticism. The source text is not static, but rather a part of the cultural circumstance in which it is produced It's meaning depends on translator's interpretation in a different cultural circumstance. Therefore, the translated text should not be viewed as a "copy" of the original one. and traditional thoughts on translation criticism should be changed fundamentally.