A Study Of H(o|¨)lderlin In Aspect Of Translation

Friedrich H(o|¨)lderlin is not only a pioneer of German Classical Romantic poetry, but alsoan influential translator during the era of German Romanticism. He has translated plenty ofGreek and Roman classical works, including Ovid s Metamorphoses, Euripides The Bacchae,Sophocles Oedipus the King and Antigone, and Pindar s poetry. In the preface to histranslation works, he has made some comments on his translation, setting forth his ownunderstanding about translation. According to him, the essence of translation is to find thecore component constituting pure language; translation process is the evolution of poeticspirit; and translation method is a means of cultural expansion and national enlightenment.H(o|¨)lderlin s exploration in translation practice and translation theory has opened up a newhorizon for Western translation studies of his later generation.This thesis entitled A Study of H(o|¨)lderlin in Aspect of Translation, has made a systematicstudy of H(o|¨)lderlin s translation works and translation theory with the method of inductionand deduction and by the analytical research on the historical documents concerned. Thepurpose of this thesis is to have an in-depth understanding of H(o|¨)lderlin as both a translatorand translation theorist.This thesis, at first, presents H(o|¨)lderlin s life and achievements in translation, followedby a probe into the theoretical and historical background of his achievements in translation.Chapter two analyzes the characteristics of H(o|¨)lderlin s translation works based on histranslation of Sophocles Oedipus the King and Antigone, and Pindar s poetry. In chapterthree, the connotation of H(o|¨)lderlin s translation thought is expounded specifically from threeaspects: translation essence, translation process, and translation methods. Chapter fourdiscusses H(o|¨)lderlin s contribution to the study of translation practice and translation theory,and points out the limitation of his theory in the meantime. The conclusion is drawn that:(i)H(o|¨)lderlin adopts the method of interlinear translation and the use of etymological meaning inhis translation practice, endowing his translation works with unique style and value;(ii)H(o|¨)lderlin, from perspectives of philosophy, poetics, and theology, probes into translation problems, which not only provides the theoretical depth to his translation theory, but alsobroadens the horizon of translation studies, making it possible for his translation thought tobe a brilliant page in Western translation history.