On The Possibility Of Culture Transmission In Chinese-English Literary Translation

The present thesis aims at the possibility and limitation of culture transmission in Chinese-English literary translation, that is, whether culture can be successfully transmitted in this process. Meanwhile, under related theories, a systemic study will be conducted into Fortress Besieged (Weicheng) concerning cultural translation.To achieve the set goal of our study, the present thesis first gives an overview of Weicheng (《围城》) and its English version Fortress Besieged, and then elaborates culture, language and translation and how all these interrelate. Definitions and categories of culture are given before the main characteristics of culture are brought in, i.e. culture's universal characteristic, national characteristic, open characteristic and epochal characteristic. As to cultural translation, the author raises that there is a "cultural turn" in the translation field at present after a brief review of translation theory study. Based on culture's universal and open characteristics, cultural translatability is demonstrated and then the limits of cultural translatability demonstrated based on culture's national and epochal characteristics. In particular, the author will demonstrate the actual distinction between Chinese culture and English culture and thus Chinese language and English language. Finally, the present thesis looks into Fortress Besieged in terms of cultural translation and analyses the translation strategies and methods it takes. Some sparkling translations are displayed, as well as a number of awkward or inadequate translations.The present thesis not only manages to reveal the cultural nature of literary translation, but also highlights the impact of culture on translation strategies and provides a new perspective for cultural translation of literary texts through actual case study. Humanity's practice of translation has proven well that translation is not just a bilingual activity; it is also a bicultural one. To successfully surpass the language and cultural barriers, translators are called to strive for a most acceptable and appropriate way during the process of translation.