Syntactic Iconicity And Functional Equivalent Translation

Language iconicity is one of the important topics in the field of cognitive linguistics. In much recent work on iconicity, there is a popular belief that an iconic perspective on and approach to translation is favorable for the realization of ideal effect. Iconicity is pervasive in language. This thesis explores how a translation theory or method based on syntactic iconicity directs and optimizes the translation in order to produce functional equivalence in translation.The thesis first works out iconicity in language and iconicity in translation. It clarifies the term "iconicity", its origin and classification, points out that the manifestation of iconicity varies in different languages or at all level of a language. Based on this, this thesis discusses the iconic foundation of translation, points out that iconicity is an important measurement of translated texts, and translated texts could offer iconic compensation for the loss because of inconsistent manifestation of language iconicity.The thesis then devotes a whole chapter to investigating the translation theory of functional equivalence and Nida's statements about isomorphs, believes that iconicity is core of functional equivalent translation, and a translation theory or method based on iconicity is a way to produce functional equivalence. And it also holds that iconicity, as a translation standard, is reasonable, inclusive and practical. As far as functional equivalence is concerned, an ideal translated text should be similar to the original text to the highest degree first in terms of meaning and secondly in terms of form.Finally, the thesis mainly argues that a translation theory or method based on syntactic iconicity is an effective way to produce functional equivalence. Syntactic iconicity helps the translators comprehend the details and cognitive rules behind the words in the source language and assists them to produce the ideal closest natural equivalent in the target language in terms of meaning equivalence and form equivalence. Besides this, this thesis also discusses the translating strategies of how to handle completing iconic principles in the translation.Language iconicity enriches the theory of the functional equivalent translation and directs the translation practice. This thesis offers some convincing examples to explain that syntactic iconicity is helpful to optimizing the translation and producing functional equivalence.