An External Study Of Translation In Postcolonial Context

This dissertation aims at an external study of translation in the postcolonial context. Stalling from the external research of texts, the thesis at first discusses the necessity of external research in the study of translation. Through employing Holmes' basic 'map' of translation studies, the ambiguous concept of external research is properly positioned in translation theory. In the second part, several key concepts and their relation in Foucault's power discourse theory are discussed as the rationale of postcolonial research in order to present a sketch of the theory. Brief analysis is also made about the influence of Foucault's theory on present cultural transformation in the study of translation. As a branch of cultural theory, postcolonial theory is important for the study of translation. Later in the third chapter, this theory is introduced in aspects of background, problems at issue, representative figures and their respective theory, etc. The most emphasis is put on Adward Said, the leading image in this realm, and his Orientalism, analyzing orientalist discourse and strategies of discursive revolution advanced by him. In this part, theories of the other two representatives, Gayatri Spivak and Homi Bhabha, are also briefly introduced. After that, the significance of the theory on the external translation is also analyzed. In the fourth chapter, the main part of the thesis, postcolonial theory is applied in the study of translation. It is attempted herein to view translation activities in history from the perspective of postcolonial theory, and analyze the impact caused by hegemonic cultures and power discourse in translation activities. Discussion is carried from aspects of the selection of original texts, translation strategies and the outcomes of translation, through which the postcoloniality of translation in history is analyzed. At last, with the support in postcolonial theory, the thesis tries to explore the way of subverting, hegemony, mainly focusing on the function of the employment of specific strategies in dissolving discursive hegemony.