Orient Is Not Our Orient

Traditionally, translation was regarded as a pure linguistic activity. However, since the 1970s, the "cultural turn" in translation studies has brought about new dimensions and approaches. It is found that translation is not pure intertextual transference, but a complicated product manipulated by many factors out of the translator. Postcolonialism is a term generally concerned with multi-cultural political theory and with such problems as politics, nations, races and imperialism. The theory mainly exposes the nature of cultural hegemony of the imperialist countries over the third-world countries and aims at dispelling "center" and "authority". It also endeavors to develop a new dialogue and equal relationship between the "west" and the "east". Orientalism is one of the subdivisions of postcolonialism. It dates back to the 11th century but has gained its place in academic study since the publication of Orientalism written by Edward Said.Luotuo Xiangzi is a classic novel in modern China. It has been translated into 26 languages with 38 versions, one of which is Rickshaw Boy translated by Evan King. This thesis tries to analyze this version from the perspective of Orientalism and see how Orientalism is materialized in translation.This thesis is divided into four chapters. The first chapter serves as a brief introduction to the theoretical development of translation and the background of postcolonialism as well as the literature review from home and abroad. The "Cultural Turn" brings more approaches out of traditional studies, including postcolonial approach. Many scholars abroad have contributed a lot in this study and this approach has also attracted Chinese scholar's attention.The second chapter is about Orientalism theory. It reviews the history of Orientalism from the first crusade and gives examples of western representation of the Orient in history, such as Wonders of the East and the Travels of Marco Polo. It is admitted that from the 11th century, Orientalists began their representation of the Orient. As the leading figure in Orientalism study, Edward Said is also introduced in this chapter with the cultural background of his theory. Although he is not the first one to study Orientalism, he is the most influential one, who has made great contributions to Orientalism and Postcolonialism studies.The thirdchapter is the major part of this thesis. In this section a detailed ana objective study is conducted on the version Rickshaw Boy. The research is focused on three aspects. The first is about the translating background. After a conflict between the translator and the writer, the text was translated peremptorily. It was owing to power difference between China and America at that time that resulted in cultural hegemony. The second is to discuss the translator's manipulation of the translation. Methods applied can be boiled down to degradation and uglification, with which the translation represents an inferior and weak Orient to the TL readers. This proves the basic concept in Orientalism: the Orient is weak, backward and inferior to the Occident. The last point is US-centric tendency of the text. A serious novel is turned into a superficial love story to adapt itself to American society at that time so as to please American readers' desire. Many over-adaptations are employed and cover the original color in the novel, which is likely to prevent the TL readers from learning the real Chinese traditional culture which is extensive and profound. This is as what Said says that the Orientalists believe the Orient exists for the Occident. The appearance of the Orient depends on what the Occident needs, not on itself.The last chapter is a conclusion based on the analysis in the previous chapters. According to the author, Orientalism did cast its shadow over translation activity. When choosing the source text, the western translator showed his contempt for the writer Lao She and finally translated the text compellingly, which proved that the West was eager to watch and represent the Orient. In his translation, his cultural identity drove his U.S.-centric tendency, which was materialized by the translation methods he employed, such as degradation and uglification, change of the ending, and over-adaptation. The author finally points out that there are also weaknesses of this theory: firstly, its political oversensitivity may result in misunderstanding of the translator;secondly, it tends to go to the other extreme, i.e. ultranationalism. The author thinks this theory can not be adopted in all cases study;as ideology changes, this theory is not unalterable.