On Reproduction Of Style In Translation Of Wang Wei's Nature Poetry

This thesis expounds Wang Wei's nature poetry and its different translations from the perspective of Reception Theory. Reader-centered Reception Theory which puts forward a series of concepts, such as indeterminacy and horizon of expectations, bringing about a great impact on author-centered and text-centered traditional translation theories,is an important transformation of translation methodology. With abstruse language, various style and profound culture, the translation of Classical Chinese Poetry, which is related to communication of two different languages and cultures across different time and space, is challenging. As literary style is an important part of literature, it is necessary for the translators to convey the original style in translation. This thesis employs different translations of Wang Wei's three nature poems---Shan Ju Qiu Ming, Zhong Nan Shan and Zhu Li Guan, to clarify the role played by Reception Theory in the reproduction of style in translation of the poetry, showing that different translations are based on different reception of translators and target readers. Besides, it further explores some ways on how to reproduce the original style well in translation, and finally comes to the conclusion that only the translation giving consideration to literary style is truly effective translation. This thesis is composed of five chapters. Chapter One is the introduction. Chapter Two is a literature review which introduces Wang Wei and the style of his nature poetry, as well as the precious translation study of Wang Wei's nature poetry. Chapter Three is about Reception Theory and briefly discusses the translatability of literary style. Chapter Four analyzes the application of Reception Theory into the reproduction of style in translation of Wang Wei's nature poetry. Chapter Five is the conclusion.