On The Validity Of Translated Text In Comparative Literature Study

Among all the disturbances that comparative literature has encountered in the history of its development, the status and validity of a translated text must be a highly annoying one. Despite the discrepancy between the French school and the American school– the first considering translation important as an agent in contrary to the latter's complete rejection to it– the two schools share a common tradition: the literature must be studied in its original language. As the age of multiculturalism arrives, the debate on the use of a translated text becomes hotter than ever, however, most of which is still entangled with the old question of whether or not a translation should be used as a substitution of the original.Very practical as the question is, a different perspective of viewing translation would probably turn it into a better one. Thanks to the postmodern currents, translation has acquired a significance that it has never expected before. The new approach, too, arouses the comparatists a further reflection on the value of translated texts and their relationship with the originals, which is also where this thesis devotes.Based on a deep diving into the background of this issue, equipped with postmodern thoughts, this thesis is a devotion to discussions on the topics mentioned above, through which it will finally demonstrate that a better understanding of the translated would lead to a better understanding of the original, thus the comparative study of literature could be better served by the translations.