A Study On English Translations Of Lu Xun's Stories

Lu Xun (1881-1936) has been acclaimed Father of modern Chinese literature. He is the first writer to use the vernacular to write fiction. His short stories have laid a solid foundation for the development of modern Chinese fiction. Call to Arms (1923) and Wandering (1926) represent the greatest achievement of Chinese fiction creation at that time. His short stories are not only profound in thinking, but also worthy of admiration for their great value and innovation in art. Besides, there are abundant heavily Chinese culture-bound images in his stories, which are of great significance in cross-cultural communication.Since 1920's, Lu Xun's stories have been translated into various foreign languages and published throughout the world, enjoying an excellent reputation. This dissertation just focuses on their translations from Chinese into English. Several versions are included: The True Story of Ah Q (translated by George Kin Leung, 1926); Ah Q and Others: Selected Stories of Lusin (translated by Chi-chen Wang, 1941; reprinted in 1971); Selected Stories of Lu Hsun (translated by Yang Hsien-yi & Gladys Yang, 1954, 1960, 1972, and 2002); Diary of a Madman and Other Stories (translated by William A. Lyell, 1990). For the moment, a good many scholars, at home and abroad, study Lu Xun and his works, and have attained great achievements. In contrast, much less scholars have touched upon the study of English translations of Lu Xun's stories. There are only a few book reviews or single articles concerning comparative study of their translations.Therefore, this dissertation attempts to make a systematic research on English translations of Lu Xun's stories. Through the retrospect of English translating of Lu Xun's stories, the discrepancies of different versions by the same translator at different times as well as the features of different versions by different translators at different times are all explored. Furthermore, a comparative study of three English translations is made with a combination of extrinsic and intrinsic research, on the basis of patronage, translation purpose, deceptive equivalence in literary translation and cross-cultural communication. On the whole, a descriptive study of English translations of Lu Xun's stories rather than a prescriptive one is made instead of a hasty judgment of their values. All of these factors are taken into consideration such as translation background, translation strategies and influence of versions. There are seven parts of this dissertation in all.Introduction briefly introduces the structure, the methodology as well as the significance of the study of this dissertation.Chapter One makes a general survey of Lu Xun and his short stories. Lu Xun's great achievements and status in literature as well as the influence of his works are introduced; and a specific analysis of his short stories, a main body of his writing career, is made from the aspect of motif, structure, artistic features, national features and immense influence at home and abroad.Chapter Two makes a general retrospect of English versions of Lu Xun's stories. A general comparison is made between Chi-Chen Wang's version, the Yangs' version and William A. Lyell's version, with the purpose to find out their own characteristics from the diachronic perspective, and also a comparison is made between two of the Yangs' versions at different times.Chapter Three makes a comparative study of the three versions to disclose the similarities and differences as well as merits and demerits between them. On the one hand, with close-reading of New Criticism, the three versions are carefully examined. On the other hand, without making any judgment of value, the reasons for the discrepancies of different renderings by different translators are explored on the theoretical basis of patronage, functional theories and deceptive equivalence.Chapter Four makes an analysis in detail of The True Story of Ah Q, including its writing background, linguistic features and cultural connotations; then it turns to a comparative study of four English renderings: Leung's version, Wang's version, the Yangs' version and Lyell's version, from the aspect of the treatment of cultural differences in literary translation.Chapter Five makes a comparative study of the three translations from the angle of cross-cultural communication. Strategies and approaches are discussed in dealing with cultural differences in literary translation: cultural transposition or cultural compensation, domestication or foreignization. Sufficient examples are cited, including Chinese traditional thought, traditional convention, local folk customs, Chinese names and appellations as well as historical background.Conclusion makes a summery of the whole dissertation. It also points out the contribution that English translators of Lu Xun's stories make to cross-cultural communication. The significance of this research is also emphasized.Therefore, with English translations of Lu Xun's stories as a case study, two distinct aims are expected to achieve in this dissertation. One is to fill up the gap to some extent in the fields of systematic study on English translations of Lu Xun's stories; and the other is to provide some beneficial suggestion for the imbalance of communication between hegemonic language and non-dominant language through Chinese-English translation.