On The Creativity Of Translators In Style Reproduction

Literary translation is not the technical change in the language form but requires that translators correctly and adequately reproduce both the form and content of the original text in literary language that fits the original style so that readers of the translation may be inspired, moved and aesthetically entertained as if they were reading the original work. Therefore, it is of great significance for translators to give free rein to their creativity and seek unswervingly the style reproduction of the ST in their literary translation practice.Based on the latest studies and relevant theories such as Philosophical Hermeneutics and Aesthetics of Reception, the present thesis conducts a systematic research on translators creativity in the process of style reproduction by taking Song lyric translation as a case study.This thesis consists of four chapters besides the introduction and conclusion.The introduction briefs the content and the basic structure of the thesis.In Chapter One, the author re-defines style, proposes that style reproduction is the ultimate goal of literary translation, and then confirms its translatability from the perspectives of philosophy and linguistics.In Chapter Two, a new definition of creativity is given based on former studies. Then, the author contends that translators creativity is indispensable in literary translation because first, creativity is the soul of literature, and in turn, the translation of literary works also entails translators creativity to reproduce the literary style; second, the translatability of literary style has its limitations, and the loss thus generated also necessitates translators creativity for compensation; third, the subjective factors on the part of translators such as their aesthetic standards, translation criteria and purposes also give rise to creativity in literary translation.In Chapter Three, the author further discusses translators creativity in style reproduction based on the previous two chapters by taking the Song lyric translation as a case study. To the present author s understanding, translators creativity is manifested in both the comprehending and representing stages of a literary text. As for Song lyrics, these two stages involve translators creative rendering of the surface structure, i.e. the sound and form of the original, as well as of the imagery since its transmission is the key to style reproduction.In Chapter Four, the author first stipulates that translators creativity is conditioned by the intention of the ST as well as the general norms of the target language and culture, and then further explores the essence of creativity by comparing it with the so-called translation transcendentalism since people at times take one for another.The conclusion provides a summary of the whole thesis.