Translation Of Nonverbal Messages In Literary Works

Nonverbal language expresses meaning or feeling without words . In fact , nonverbal language possesses the characteristics of language but is not conveyed through verbal language . In translation , what the translator deals with is the, nonverbal messages written in the source language text by the original author instead of the real nonverbal messages in the actual communicative setting . Hence , the translation of nonverbal messages in this thesis , rigidly speaking , is to translate the nonverbal messages written in the source language text.The comprehension of nonverbal messages written in the source text is somewhat much more complicated than that of the real nonverbal messages because it is less straightforward : the implication of real nonverbal messages can be understood correctly from the specific context , environment , interpersonal relations , etc . However , when translating the source language text, the translator is doomed to meet much obstacles due to the fact that a translator tends to translate a text on the basis of his / her own understanding of the source language text and using his / her own stocking of knowledge and preference .From an intercultural point of view , this thesis discusses whether the domesticating or foreignizing should be adopted and the principles and methods in the translation of nonverbal messages in literary works . The thesis first examines the relation between culture and translation . By introducing the basic translation strategies - domesticating and foreignizing - in dealing with the cultural elements and the advantages and disadvantages of the two strategiesrespectively , the author deals with basic knowledge about nonverbal messages in literary works : its definition , function and categories . Then the thesis analyzes the principles guiding the translation of nonverbal messages in literary works . the preferred methods are categorized and illustrated with abundant examples .Finally , the thesis draws the conclusion that foreignizing translation is advocated because it can facilitate the cultural communication and transmission and contribute to enriching the expressions of the target language . Of course , in advocating foreignizing translation , the thesis does not intend to exclude domesticating translation totally ,because foreignizing translation should follow certain principles , the most remarkable of which is that the readability of the target text should be taken into account. Therefore , foreignizing translation must play a more important role on the condition of globalization and increasingly acceptance of the target readers towards foreign culture .Chapter One serves as an introduction to the thesis . In Chapter Two , the definition of culture , domesticating and foreignizing and advantage and disadvantage of them are discussed . Chapter Three deals with the definition , functions and classification of nonverbal language . Chapter Four is the most important one in which the principles are given and specific methods to translating the nonverbal messages in literary works are also probed into . Finally , I will draw the conclusion of the study .