The Translators' Subjectivity Research A New Perspective,

A translator's subjectivity refers to the subjective activity of the translators shown in the creative process of translation. Traditionally, translation has been treated as a parasitic writing, which means that there is no actual creation in translating and cannot be placed on a par with the original works. Furthermore, it is impossible for the translator to meet the requirements of various traditional translation standards such as"to be completely faithful to the original"or"to make translation the same as original".Hong Lou Meng is one of the best works in Chinese classical literature and has been translated into many languages, especially English. Till now there have appeared at least nine different English translation versions from 1830 though some of the versions are fragmentally translated. Different translators with different backgrounds in different times understand the original differently. These are strong arguments to prove the functions of a translator's subjectivity.This paper starts with a new point of view based on a descriptive study of several main English translation versions of Hong Lou Meng so as to explore the primary factors influencing the translators to play their subjectivity.Diachronically, a translator's living experience, translating purpose and relative literary theories, will influence his understanding of the original. As a result, translator"rebels against"the original and different translation versions are created.Synchronically, the quality of translated versions will be affected by the translator's subjective needs, creating passion as well as his attainment of two languages.However, translator's subjectivity does not exist in isolation. It can always be found in the process of translation. During the process, the translator accumulates experience after he solves problems and makes efforts to formulate principles for further practice. Thus, translation theories are formed, including various translation assessment standards. Translation assessment standards as a part of translation theories come from practice and influence a translator's subjectivity as well. The correct understanding and application of translation standards vary in the specific time and situation. The assessments of literary translation may be made synchronically and diachronically so as to give full play to the translator's subjectivity.