The Limitations Of Polysystem Theory In Its Application To Literary Translation In China

This dissertation discusses the limitations of polysystem theory according to which the literary system consists of a stratified structure of systems. With a dynamic nature, the systems are constantly competing with each other in order to occupy the central position. Translated literature is also part of the polysystem. The objective position of translated literature within the literary polysystem determines the translator's strategic selection. In the paper this theory is used to explain the strategies in the Chinese literary translation history, but it is found that there were many counterexamples to the hypothesis. Even in cases where the hypothesis has proved to be correct, the reasons might not be what is suggested by the proponents of this theory.The dissertation consists of five chapters plus an introduction and a conclusion. In the "Introduction", I clarify my purpose and scope of discussion, i.e. I will only investigate the limitations of the theory regarding the translator's strategic selection by testing it against the background of the Chinese literary translation history.Chapter One gives a brief introduction of the theory, and reviews the criticisms on it as well as other system theories inspired by it.Chapter Two discusses the applicability of the theory. In weak nations, according to this theory, translation is usually in the center because it is presumed as a way of introducing new cultural elements, which leads to the dominant use of the foreignizing translation strategy. In strong nations, translation is usually relegated to the periphery, and translators tend to adopt the domesticating strategy to reinforce the dominant ideology in the target polysystem. There are many cases in China that prove the effectiveness of the polysystem model, but we also have some situations that cannot be explained by it because it ignores some other important factors that influence the translator's strategic choice, such as the translator's subjectivity, etc.Chapter Three investigates the objective factors. Polysystem theory presumes that it is the objective position of translation that determines the strategic choice. But the fact that the translator adopts foreignization does not necessarily means that translation is in the center. Sometimes, it is the cultural needs of the target system that requires such a strategy. Besides, if the translator is not competent with the SL, he/she may not even be able to follow the SL closely. In other words, he/she will possibly resort to domestication as he/she is more comfortable with his/her native language. Finally, the translator is also influenced by the patron's and target readers' aesthetic preferences, and use appropriate methods accordingly.Chapter Four explores how the translator's subjectivity gets involved in the translation process. First, in order to make the translation ideologically more acceptable to the target culture, the translator will remould the TT with the dominant ideology in the target culture. Secondly, polysystem theory uses the terms of "strong" and "weak" cultures. However, different people have different understandings of the definitions, which will lead to the coexistence of different translation strategies. Finally, the translator will also choose a strategy according to his/her own aesthetic...