On Adaptation From The Perspective Of Translator’s Subjectivity

This thesis is a case study of The Wisdom of Confucius edited and translated by Lin Yutang.The Wisdom of Confucius is one of those books which introduce traditional Chinese culture abroad. In this book, Lin Yutang adopts a new method to introduce and translate Chinese classics:he compiles the main parts of the Confucian classics in one book, and introduces western readers the Confucian classics as a whole system. Moreover, in stead of describing Confucius as a saint, Lin Yutang provides a vivid image of Confucius as a real man who is witty, modesty, erudite and has high appetite of fine arts. The formation of this book is greatly influenced by the subjectivity of the translator, such as his personal knowledge and skill, his perception of Chinese culture, and the limitation of times and social situation, etc. Therefore, the study of The Wisdom of Confucius is benefit for both the research on translator’s subjectivity and the study on the translation of Chinese classics.When reviewing on the studies of The Wisdom of Confucius, it is easily to find out that most of the research cast their focus on the chapter of Lun Yu, and less research was conducted from a more macro perspective of the whole book. This thesis starts from the perspective of translator’s subjectivity, based on the manifestation of translator’s initiative through the translation process, discusses the distinctive features of the translation about Chinese cultures in the book, so as to explore the enlightenment to the translation of Chinese classics and Chinese culture.This thesis includes an introduction, main body and a conclusion. Introduction contains the research background, research significance, writing purpose and the writing plan of the thesis.Chapter Two is literature review, in which the study of Confucian classic translation and the study of Lin Yutang’s translation activity will be reviewed.Chapter Three is the theoretical framework, which explores the translator’s subjectivity through the aspects of the relation between translator and source text, translator and translated text, translator and author, translator and reader.Chapter Four is a case study of The Wisdom of Confucius from the perspective of translator’s subjectivity.Last part will conclude the distinctive features of the translation in The Wisdom of Confucius, and explores its enlightenment to translation of Chinese classics and Chinese culture, hoping that such kind of research can be helpful to the exchange and spread of culture.