Exploring Hybrid In Literary Translation

"杂合" is translated from English word "hybrid", representing a new product of two different things, which features the new characteristics but still maintains the features of its 'parents'. At present, hybrid has been paid more and more attention in the fields of sociology, linguistics and literature.Firstly, language hybrid appeared unconsciously in the communication, which determines that it is a universal phenomenon in the world. With the functions of hybrid, it has been employed by authors to create unique effects in the works including traditional, modern and postcolonial literature works. Since hybrid is endowed with the special functions and significances, translator cannot ignore and avoid this issue in the course of translation. The examples of hybrid in the traditional, modern and postcolonial are listed in Chapter One and its functions are analyzed in order to draw translators' attention.Secondly, the main translation approaches are analyzed and the factors influencing the degree of hybrid are discussed in the second part. Although many translators pointed out that how to translate hybrid text was a difficult problem to solve, there have been seven approaches used by translators, each one of which has its own advantages and disadvantages except several extreme ones. In fact, it is impossible to find an "ultimate approach" to translate hybrid texts and adopting which one is influenced by various factors. Every age witnesses its own tendency. In the Information Age, hybrid becomes more and more noticeable and it brings a new perspective to scholars for studying translation tasks, strategies and standards.Thirdly, the relationships between hybrid translation and culture are expounded. At present, the shift of emphasis 'the cultural turn' is the focus of translation studies. Hybrid is one of features of current cultures. However, many Chinese scholars view it as the contamination to the pure Chinese culture. In fact, it is unreasonable to claim a culture is absolutely pure including the cultures of western colonial countries. Internationalization is an endless process in which the interaction between China and western countries are increasing and therefore hybridization will become more and more obvious.Finally, Ulysses is chosen to be studied since it is the representative of hybrid texts. The author, James Joyce, assembles heterogeneous material for particular purposes, which makes translators try their best to find the proper translation approaches. Herein, the author makes use of Reception Theory to analyze the two versions of Ulysses. Firstly, in the perspective of potential meaning, it is concluded that there is no 'ultimate version' for the original. Therefore, it is irrational to determine which method is the ultimate one, which is consistent with the connotation of hybrid. Secondly, according to the theory of blanks and indeterminacies, the translator should keep the blanks and indeterminacies created by hybrid under the circumstance that the necessary information is conveyed to the readers. Thirdly, the main group of audience of every works has been determined when the author begins to write it. The translator should predict the horizon of expectations of main readers and cotemporary cultural tendency, which guide the translator to choose proper methods to translate hybrid.Based upon the above-mentioned facts, the paper draws a conclusion that hybrid becomes an unavoidable issue in the process of internationalization. It is an important means to absorb alien cultures and strengthen the vitality of Chinese culture. It also opens up a new field for the translation and poses challenges for translators.