On Xu Yuanchong's Rivalry Theory

Xu Yuanchong is not only a translator but also a translation theorist. He has made irreplaceable contribution to both the formation of literary translation theories of the Chinese school and the rise in status of the Chinese translation in the world. Based on his own translation practice, Xu has put forward a set of Chinese literary translation theories, which can be summarized into "art of beautification and creation of the best as in rivalry". Among the theories raised by Xu, Rivalry Theory is definitely the most eye-catching one. It has a great impact on the Chinese translation circle. At the beginning of the 21^st century, there is a heated debate on "faithfulness" and "Rivalry Theory" in the Chinese academic circle. The opposers far outnumbered those for the theory. Criticizers contend that the theory is a betrayal of the traditional theories, while supporters hold that it not only inherits the gist of traditional theories but also makes significant innovations. Since Xu's Rivalry Theory causes great controversy in the Chinese academic circle, the author tries to have a deep study on it and to make an analysis of the theory so that it will be better understood and be accepted.Xu's Rivalry Theory has profound historical background. Xu's idea of "rivalry" in translation has ancestors in the western translation history. Marcus Tullius Cicero and Marcus Fabius Quintilianus had also advocated the idea of "rivalry" in translation. At that time, the idea of "rivalry" was just unsystematic to some degree, and did not form a complete theory. Xu enriches the idea of "rivalry" with new meaning and puts forward his Rivalry Theory. Xu is a very diligent translation theorist. Before the birth of Rivalry Theory, Xu has already gone a long way in his theoretical research. Rivalry Theory has inseparable connections with Xu's other translation theories. It has its own origin in Xu's theoretical system. Xu's Rivalry Theory rises out of his own theoretical system and is an integral part of the system as well. Both Xu's other theories and the bud of "rivalry theory" in the western translation history provide a good background for the formation and development of Xu's Rivalry Theory. Despite all the criticism on Rivalry Theory, the thesis contends that Xu's Rivalry Theory is valid as a whole. It can be proved in the following aspects. First, it is set up on Xu's first-hand translation experience, so it comes directly from translation practice. Secondly, Xu's translation practice also proves its instructive function in the translating process. Thirdly, Rivalry Theory has profound theoretical supports. In the Chinese traditional translation theories, Fu Lei and Qian Zhongshu's translation ideas can be supportive to Xu's Rivalry Theory. In the western translation theories, Polysystem Theory and Skopos Theory provide good perspectives for a better understanding of Xu's Rivalry Theory. From the above explanation, we can draw the conclusion that Xu's Rivalry Theory is theoretically justifiable and valid. What's more, it has to be mentioned that Xu's Rivalry Theory has many advantages over many other traditional translation theories. Xu's Rivalry Theory emphasizes on the creativity and subjectivity of the translator and is a great leap in the Chinese translation studies. Besides, readers' reception of the translation is considered as the decisive factor to judge a translation by Xu's Rivalry Theory. Last but not least, Xu's Rivalry Theory regards translation as a kind of cultural activity, not just a transform of word. Cultural transmission is an important part of translation. However, as a new theory, Xu's Rivalry Theory is not mature and has some shortcomings. It overlooks the originality of writers in translation. Some relevant terms of the theory are easy to be misunderstood because of their unscientific usage. However, the author believes that the positive part of the theory is much greater than the negative one. We should be more tolerant to the new theories so that the Chinese translation circle will get better development.In a word, Rivalry Theory is not water without a source and a tree without roots. The author hopes that this thesis will help Xu's Rivalry Theory retain its vitality and get a better development in future.