On The English Translation Of Shijing From The Perspective Of Translator’s Subjectivity

In the process of translation, the translator is an indispensable factor. FromChinese and western translation history, it can be seen that the translator has beenoccupying the marginal position in the initial translation activities while thetranslation studies centered on the original text. Since the appearance of culture turnin translation studies, translator’s subjective role has been established. Its position hasbeen changing from the edge to the center, reflecting that the translator is the subjectof translation. In the process of translation translator’s subjectivity should be broughtinto full play in order to achieve better effects.Shijing is the representative of China’s traditional culture. The classic Englishversions of Shijing are worthy a comprehensive analysis and comparative study. It hasmany difficulties to overcome in English translation of Shijing, such as theunderstanding and interpretation of the original text and the expressing its literal valueand historical and cultural value. Many translators both Chinese and foreign likeArthur Waley, Xu Yuanchong, Wang Rongpei have made their efforts in the Englishtranslation of Shijing, thus forming many different versions to make the comparativestudy.This paper has summarized the research achievements of the past by introducingthe concept of translator’s subjectivity and then it discusses extratextual andintratextual factors which will have influence on translator’s subjectivity. The Englishversions by Arthur Waley, Xu Yuanchong and Wang Rongpei are studied respectivelywith analysis of the specific examples. In the comparative analysis of the Englishversions of Shijing, the influence of translator’s subjectivity can be better reflected intranslation. The translator decides the play of subjectivity. This paper makes athorough study of the translators and their translation theories, through case study,establishing the influence of translator’s subjectivity in the translation.