A Study Of Lin Yutang's Aesthetically Oriented Theory Of Translation

Lin Yutang (1895-1976) is well-known for his excellent achievements in literary creation and translation. This thesis calls attention to the close interrelationship between Lin Yutang's translation theory and practice, and offers an interpretative review of his overall conception of translation. As a translator, Lin Yutang translated and introduced a large amount of Chinese classical literature to foreign countries, such as Six Chapters of a Floating Life, A Nun of Taishan and Other Translation, and The Travels of Mingliaotse as well as Chuangtse, etc. Among these works, the one Six Chapters of a Floating Life was fluent in wording and phrasing, harmonious in sound and rhyme, and clear and meaningful in style. Besides his achievements in translation practice, Lin Yutang was also well versed in translation theory. He wrote a large number of articles concerning translation theory, such as On Translation, On Poetry Translation, and An Urgent Proposal to Unify Translated Terms, etc. Among these articles, the one entitled On Translation and written in 1933, was Lin Yutang's most systematic and important article about translation theory. In this article, Lin Yutang innovatively inherited traditional translation theory and expatiated on the issues of the requirements for translators, the translation criteria and so forth. He put forward his specific views on translation criteria, namely"faithfulness, smoothness, and aesthetic quality", and made a pioneer academic breakthrough in linguistics, psychology, and especially in aesthetics by clearly stating that translation is"a fine art", and"translation should pay equal attention to its aesthetic quality besides its practical quality", and"an ideal translator should treat his job as a kind of art and love it like he loves an art"…In a word, Lin Yutang achieved a lot both in translation practice and translation theory.Although Lin Yutang made a great contribution to translation academy, the studies of his translation activities are far from being sufficient. In the 20th century, there were few studies of Lin Yutang's translation theory and practice, and there remained only one essay by Chen Rongdong namely One Translation Theory Should not be Neglected---Viewed on Lin Yutang's Translational Thought from His On Translation. Not until this century did the studies of Lin Yutang's translation activities begin to emerge and draw more attention than before. More and more attempts are intended to evaluate Lin Yutang and his achievements. The studies of Lin Yutang's translation theory and practice are becoming systematic and integral. According to the author of this thesis, Lin Yutang deserves more attention for his contribution to translation theory and practice, and the studies of Lin Yutang's translation activities can be enriched from the aspect of aesthetics.The present thesis attempts to evaluate Lin Yutang's aesthetically oriented theory of translation with his translation theory and translated works as the foundation. First of all, this thesis will make an introduction to Lin Yutang's achievements in translation activities. Next, it will introduce the previous studies of Lin Yutang's translation and their specific concerns. Afterward, this thesis will make a brief review of Lin Yutang's On Translation, and it is intended to prove how his aesthetically oriented theory of translation is expressed in his translation propositions. Meanwhile, it will make a brief introduction to reception theory and its relationship with Lin Yutang's aesthetically oriented theory of translation. Then, this thesis attempts to exhibit how Lin Yutang carried out his aesthetically oriented theory of translation in his translation practice with reception theory as the guideline. Finally, a conclusion is drawn on the relationship between Lin Yutang's aesthetically oriented theory of translation and his transaltion practice, and hopefully to give some hints to the practitioners in literary translation.In conclusion, as the first translator who embraced aesthetically oriented view in his translation activities in Chinese translation history, Lin Yutang took"aesthetic equivalence"as the ultimate criterion of translation by means of putting forward his translation criteria"faithfulness, smoothness, and aesthetic quality", and he advocated aesthetically oriented view both in his translation theory and practice.