The Translator's Adaptation And Selection In Translating Process

In this thesis, the Pragmatic Adaptation Theory, proposed by Jef. Verschueren in his famous monograph Understanding Pragmatics is applied to the analysis of the translator's subjectivity.First, the author introduces the main ideas of the theory and several crucial concepts in it. According to this theory, using language must consist of the continuous making of linguistic choices, consciously or unconsciously, for language-internal and/or language-external reasons. Facing various choices, language users can select a proper one because there are three properties of language: variability, negotiability and adaptability. The three properties enable us to make flexible choices and dynamic adaptations in language selection. Hu Gengshen (2004) published a book called An Approach to Translation as Adaptation and Selection. His theory has certain similarities with that of Jef. Verschueren, so the author of this thesis tries to make a comparison between the two theories to make clear their similarities and differences. Through analysis, it is found that they are roughly the same in essence. And the second theory will help us understand the first one better.Then it is proved that the Pragmatic Adaptation Theory can be applied to translation studies because the translation practice itself is entangled with language selection, both in form and strategy. As we know, the translator is the only subject and choice maker in the translating process, so this theory can also help us analyze the translator's subjectivity. Next, the author gives a review of the translator's identity and status on different historical stages. Translators had gone through a long period of "darkness", because their creativity and subjectivity were neglected or denied. But with the cultural turn, scholars began to pay more attention to their active role in translation. The author of this thesis tries to give a definition of the translator's subjectivity under the Pragmatic Adaptation Theory and make a detailed analysis to show how translators make dynamic adaptations in different aspects. For example, the translators have to adapt to the linguistic and cultural contexts on different levels: word, phrase, sentence and suprasentential levels. They can also choose different translation methods to fulfill different translation intentions. Then, the author analyzes the features of the translator's subjectivity under the Pragmatic Adaptation Theory. The translator's translating process is a dynamic one as a result of the temporal factor, contextual dynamics and so on. Their translation purpose will also influence their language choices. And in the translating process translators are quite aware of what they are doing, but the choice-makings are conducted under different "salience" or states of mind. That is to say, their conscious degrees are different when dealing with different problems.Finally, the author analyzes the principle called "the fittest survive", which restricts the translator's subjectivity in order to avoid overuse or abuse of their flexibilities in the translation process. It means that the translators are closely related with their translation works. If their translations are acknowledged or welcomed by the public and authorities, they themselves will also get self-fulfilled. This motivation inspires them to produce good translations and treat translation work with responsibility.