The Evolution And Influences Of Postcolonial Translation Theory In China: From The Perspective Of Traveling Theory

Postcolonial translation theory, an applied form of postcolonial theory, examines the process of translation under various historical conditions from the perspective of postcolonialism, and pays close attention to the power struggle and power operation hidden behind translations between two cultures. It aims at deepening the understanding of translation practice through the description of the unequal and asymmetrical power relations among different cultures, nations as well as languages. Against the background of Cultural Turn in translation, postcolonial translation theory began its travel in China in the late 1990s. The traveling theory advanced by Edward Said points out that a theory, in its process of traveling, will inevitably get altered in the new place and produce new meanings due to the differences in the cultural and historical contexts.This thesis attempts to examine the travel of postcolonial translation theory in China from the perspective of traveling theory, in order to analyze the reception, misreading, reflection and future of it as well as the transformation it has caused in the ideology, pattern of thought, cultural attitude and research paradigm of translation studies in China. It is pointed out that emphasis over the dialogue between the East and the West together with the resistance against the narrow nationalism has become the consensus within the translation circle in China, and that postcolonial translation theory can make translation scholars reflect on traditional translation theory and be aware of the relevant elements outside of the text. Therefore, neither thorough repudiation nor blind application of postcolonial translation theory is recommended; instead, the Chinese context and the local Chinese experience should be taken into consideration and an objective and dialectical attitude be adopted to make it useful for the establishment of translation studies in China, so that postcolonial translation theory can get developed and dialogue with western translation world be realized.