The Translator's Initiative As Manifested In Deliberate Mistransiation

Traditionally translation is regarded as a transformation between two languages. This notion puts focus on the SL text, requiring the TL text to be equal to it. Therefore, the translator is not allowed to take any initiative. However, the actual translation process is more complex than mere linguistic transference, in which the translator's initiative is not only unavoidable but also indispensable.This thesis purports to investigate the translator's initiative from the perspective of deliberate mistranslation. It holds that translation is an activity of seeking the unity between objectivity and subjectivity. Any attempt to deny the translator's initiative is not scientific.This thesis consists of five parts. The first part is the introduction, which points out the negligence and oppression of the translator's initiative in traditional translation studies. The second part is a historical review of the translator's humble status. Under the influence of source-oriented approach, translation is viewed as a mechanical and secondary activity. Consequently, the translator is put in a subordinate position. In history, people compared the translator to many different images. Almost all these metaphors neglect the translator's virtual initiative. The third part discusses the change of the translator's role under contemporary translation theories and the aspects of the translator's initiative. Thanks to the development of modern translation theories, translation is finally recognized as an independent discipline in its own right. In the light of these theories, the translator gets a position equal or even superior to the original author. His subjective intervention then becomes crucial in the translation process. He can take his initiative in many aspects, such as choosing original texts and translation strategies, interpreting, expressing and revising. The fourth part explores the translator's initiative from the perspective of deliberate mistranslation. In practice, the translator may purposefully alter the form and content of the original out of certain considerations, such as the constraints of ideology, poetics, value norms and patronage. In this part we investigate how the translator takes his initiative to distort the original under these constraints from different angles. The last part is the conclusion of this thesis, which holds that the recognition of the translator's initiative should lead to a higher social and academic position of the translator than he enjoyed before.