A Study Of Lin Shu’s Translating Strategies:Taking Uncle Tom’s Cabin As An Example

Lin Shu, was a notable litterateur and translator in late Qing Period in China and the pioneer in modern Chinese literary translation; he was also the first one who introduced western literature to China. His appearance is a unique historical phenomenon in a special background. Lin Shu knew nothing about foreign languages, but cooperated with Wei Yi, Zeng Zhong Gong and other translators, introduced more than180foreign literary works into China in classical Chinese language by listening and writing after others’ translation. He created a wonder in Chinese translation history. His unique mode of translation, prolific translation and his far-reaching impact occupies an irreplaceable position in the history of Chinese literature in the20th century. His translations of the novels were called "novels translated by Lin". He made an indelible contribution to the introduction of Western literature and the social and cultural progress, leaving a precious cultural heritage for future generations.In the translation, literature and history world there are a lot of study and mixed evaluation on Lin Shu. This dissertation shall take one of Lin Shu’s translation works Heinuyutianlu(Uncle Tom’s Cabin) as its subject of research, aiming to make a preliminary analysis of Lin Shu’s translation strategy. Because it is a well-known works, translated by Lin Shu at the pinnacle of his translation career, a representative one that has great impact, it can greatly reflect his translation strategies.The dissertation is composed of three parts by the introduction, body and conclusion. The introduction briefly introduces Lin Shu and his translation and studies about them.The body consists of four chapters. The first chapter introduces Lin Shu’s life time. The article starts from Lin Shu’s school experience and the growth process, and then describes the life experiences of young adults and at last a brief introduction of Lin Shu’s translation career. The second chapter begins with a brief introduction of Stowe and her writing background and significance, and then leads to the purpose and motivation of Lin Shu’s translation works Heinuyutianlu, as well as the social impact after publishing. The third chapter takes Heinuyutianlu as an example, through a large number of instances analyze Shu’s translation strategies such as deletion, abbreviation, addition, adaptation, mistranslation and reservation of source text when he translated the works. The fourth chapter focuses on Lin Shu’s status and influence in the history of the translation.