Intersubjectivity-Theoretic Approach To Retranslation Of Literary Masterpieces Based On Two Retranslated Versions Of David Copperfield

Retranslation is no longer a fresh thing. Ever since the 1980s, the retranslation of literary masterpieces has been drawing a wide attention and discussion. Scholars both at home and abroad have aired their views, and there are people such as Lu Xun, Zhen Shiding, Liu Xiaoli, Luo Xingzhang, Xu Jun, Gregory Rabassa, Humboldt, Gadmer, Snell-Hornby and so on. In terms of literary translation, many translators attempt to explain the reason behind retranslation. However, most of the theoretical papers concerned with retranslation of literary masterpieces view the matter either from the perspective of the translator or from the perspective of the original work to be translated only. Accordingly, we may find that the existing investigation cannot adequately illustrate the phenomenon of retranslation and we shall soon discover the retranslation phenomenon not surprisingly, is far from satisfactory.There are no eternal things in the world, with the development of time and language, even the famous and popular versions of literary masterpieces cannot avoid the destiny of being challenged and retranslated in short periods of time. It is no doubt that the dictions and styles of former versions may be out of date due to the synchronic interpretations and fusion of horizons, so we can say retranslating brings us not just several different versions, but more deep thoughts. To some extent, the retranslation phenomenon has been explored and explained, but the real cause behind it has hardly sunk in yet.In recent years, the need for treating translation from a wide range of perspectives has been recognized. Some scholars have already observed and discussed the phenomena of retranslations; some went further to suggest enlightening explanations. As a matter of fact, if we devote our efforts to the retranslation of literary masterpieces from the perspective of linguistics and philosophy, we can get a clearer view of the essence of it. The theory of translation subjectivity and the cultural position of translators had made their way ahead. We can conclude that the transition from the subjectivity to intersubjectivity is a new trend, which can be supported by Husserl's phenomenology, Hegelian's existentialism, Gadamer's philosophical hermeneutics and Habermas's communicative action. In actuality, the process of translating involves relationships of different subjects. During the conversation all the subjects involved are engaged and all the factors should be treated on an equal footing, interactive and mutually negative, negotiative and communicative, namely the source language text, the author, the established versions, the preceding translator, the succeeding translator, the characters in the masterpiece, the target language reader, translation initiators or patrons. And retranslation is a derivation from their dialogues on the basis of intersubjectivity. This research proposes that it is the characteristics of intersubjectivity which make retranslation of literary works not only necessary, possible, but even inevitable.On the basis of the former studies, the current thesis strives to explore the retranslation phenomenon profoundly from a microscopical perspective—intersubjectivity theory, which is a comparatively new attempt of combining Western philosophical theory with translation study. The core of this thesis is to abstract the essence of the intersubjectivity theory and put it into practice. With a view to probing deeper and touching the root of retranslation, comparison of the two well-known Chinese versions of Charles Dickens' novel David Copperfield (translated by Dong Qiusi and Zhang Guruo respectively) against the intersubjectivity theory is made, which surely can make the current study more convincing and objective.