The Diversity Of Translations Of The Analects And The Translator's Subjectivity

As the important Confucian classic recording the teaching of Confucius, The Analects is one of the most influential books in the world history. There are many translations of this rewarding but difficult work.This thesis aims at studying the diversity of translations of The Analects and the causes of differences from the perspective of the translator's subjectivity through a comparative study of the five versions by James Legge, Ku Hungming, Ezra Pound, Lin Yutang and Ames & Rosemont.It consists of six chapters. Chapter One is an introduction, in which research background, research questions, research methodology and significance are mentioned. Chapter Two briefly talks abut The Analects, its key commentaries, major English translations and the studies of its translation. Chapter Three gives a brief review of relative theories, namely hermeneutics and Skopos theory, which contribute to the establishment of the translator's subjectivity. Chapter Four explores the diversity of interpretations of The Analects through a comparative analysis of the five English versions. It is argued that, from the perspective of the translator's subjectivity, different translators will surely produce various translations. In the process of text-receiving, due to the pre-understanding of the translator and the source text's concise language and ambiguity, the translator is bound to produce different interpretations including misunderstanding. And in the process of text-producing, the translator's individual translation purpose, translation strategy, consideration for the target readers and personal temperament operate together to form the diversity of translations of The Analects. Chapter Five is devoted to the diverse translations of some key Confucian terms. Chapter Six,...