A Comparative Study Of Two English Versions Of Luotuo Xiangzi From The Perspective Of Translation Ethics

Translation is a cross-cultural communication by means of symbolic conversion and meaning regeneration (Xu,2003, p35). All cultural communicative activities are established on the base of certain values, morals and ethics. As an important way of intercultural communication, translation activities are provided with interlingual, interpersonal and cross-cultural traits, which call on the ethical guidance. Studies on ethics are indispensible in translation, because the correct translation ethics can help coordinate cultural relations, resolve cultural conflicts, and promote the progress and development of human society. Therefore, in the context of globalization, more attention should be paid on translation ethics, which is an important direction of translation studies in future.The thesis makes a comparative study on the two English versions of Luotuo Xiangzi from the perspective of translation ethics. One is Rickshaw Boy, translated by Evan King in1945, the other Camel Xiangzi, translated by Shi Xiaojing in1981. In this thesis, Chesterman's five models of translation ethics--ethics of representation, ethics of service, ethics of communication, norm-based ethics and ethics of commitment--will be used as theoretical framework. With a case study viewed from two aspects, namely culturally-loaded elements and rewritings, the thesis explores Andrew Chesterman's five models of translation ethics presented in the two English versions. Although translators who are influenced by different cultures, ideologies and values adopt different translation strategies and translation ethics, the two English versions of Luotuo Xiangzi under study are ethical. Through detailed analysis of the different models of translation ethics reflected in the target texts, it is reflected that translators should improve ethical consciousness and regulate translation activities to produce better translations.