Analysis Of Translator's "Creative Treason" In Literary Translation

"Creative treason", first proposed by French literary socialist Escarpit, refers to translators' betrayal from the original work reflected in their translation. According to comparative literature scholars' viewpoint, creative treason in literary translation is a literary phenomenon. It is caused by translators' misunderstanding about the original culture, reflecting cultural collision in their minds. But sometimes, it was the creative treason in literary translation that caused literary movement in target culture, promoting the development and diversification of this literature. Therefore, creative treason in literary translation has special merit and contribution.Some comparative literature scholars even argue that even the most incapable translator can reflect the aesthetic notion of the social class to which he belongs or the time in which he lives. However, as translators' capability varies, some "treason" can only reflect translators' personal carelessness. How much value does such treason have in comparative literature study? Besides, "creative treason" in literary translation is not only a phenomenon, but also refers to translators' behavior, which needs to be guided and limited like any other behavior of human being. In what way should such behavior be guided and limited? This thesis tries to seek solution from the traditional principle of fidelity.To observe the fidelity principle and to give play to translators' creative treason are not contradictory to each other, instead, they are complementary in translation practice. Traditional translation theories, which typically insist the principle of fidelity, also refer to the translator's treason and discuss their relationship. Besides, in the two phases of translation—understanding and expressing, faithful understanding and faithful expression are compulsory. Faithful understanding means that the translators should try their best to get maximally faithful understanding about the meaning and artistic value of original work as well as the author's intention by employing all possible means, including reading relevant materials as much as possible to acquire comprehensive understanding of his style, and so on. Treason caused by translators' personal carelessness can not be regarded as faithful understanding. Faithful expression means to faithfully express translators' understanding about the original work. Unclear or incorrect expression caused by translator's incapability is not creative treason at all; instead, they have little value for comparative literature study, and should undoubtedly be avoided in translation practice.By reviewing and analyzing several typical translation theories insisting the principle of fidelity, this thesis finds that these theories do not put fidelity and creative treason in opposite places, but admit their co-existence in actual translation, as well as the creativity and importance of translators' treason. Therefore, this thesis holds that it is feasible and necessary to consciously integrate the principle of fidelity and creative treason.For comparative literature scholars, creative treason based on translators' observance of fidelity principle can truly reflect the differences and collisions between two cultures, and thus has special merit For translators themselves, as they realize the complementary relationship between fidelity and creative treason, they can view fidelity and treason more objectively. On one hand, although absolute faithfulness is like moon in the water, translator still should be confined to the original work and the author. On the other hand, creative treason is caused by various reasons, and it is not the translator's own fault. In this way, translators can be more relaxed to deal with the relationship between the two in literary translation; they will achieve fine psychological condition and find proper places for themselves.Following this train of thought, this thesis is divided into four chapters. Chapter one provides a very brief review and analysis of translation studies conducted by comparative literature scholars. In this chapter, the author also talks about the birth of the term "creative treason" as well as its development and application in China. Chapter two further analyzes various reasons for creative treason, its special merit and contribution, as well as several limitations. In chapter three, attempting to solve these limitations, the author analyzes four typical theories insisting fidelity principle, pointing out the feasibility and necessity of integrating the observance of fidelity principle and execution of creative treason. Chapter four analyzes several examples of excellent translation, suggesting that translators should give play to creative treason in a limited and effective way. Besides, creative treason in literary translation is influenced by poetics of target language and historical background of the translator's time.