On The English Version Of The Scholars From The Perspective Of Intertextuality

In the21st Century, translation studies are moving forward to a deeper and broader field and the interdisciplinary trend of them are continuously expanding. Studies on the translation of classics are still of the top concern by numerous scholars among those of literary translation. The Scholars is known as one peak work of Chinese classical novels as A Dream of Red Mansions. The English version, which is translated by Yang Xianyi and Gladys Yang, is the only complete version by now. The translation is smooth, accurate and capable of conveying the style of the original work.Intertextuality refers to the represent of a text in another text. Since the term is proposed by Julia Kristeva, intertextuality is developed by many scholars from different angles. After it has been introduced into the field of translation studies by Hatim&Mason, the theory of intertextuality exerted great influence on translation theory and practice.According to Hatim&Mason, intertextuality is seen to be an essential condition of all texts. The translating process of intertextual reference from ST to TT should mainly involve three procedures:Firstly, the recognition of an intertextual signal in SL host text; Secondly, linking up a given signal with its pre-text, or a given pre-text with its signal, in which the informational status, intentional status and semiotic status of a reference should be assessed according to the theory of three-dimensions of contexts; Thirdly, encoding the TL intertextual signals in TL host text.In order to explore the transfer of intertextual reference and to figure out the principles for intertextual translation, the intertextual elements and their translation in The Scholars are analyzed from the aspects of manifest intertextuality and constitutive intertextuality according to Hatim&Mason’s theory. Based on the analysis, it is shown that the intentionality and semiotic status of a reference are preserved in most conditions, while the informational status is not always preserved. The translators put priority on the intentionality of the intertextual reference, and try their best to preserve as more semiotic status as possible in the process of translating intertextual elements, through which the intertextuality of the original text is well transferred in the rendition. In addition, three principles of intertextual translation are summarized based on the analysis of the translating practice by Mr.&Mrs. Yang.The whole thesis involves six parts.The research background, research purpose, research questions and research significance of this thesis are introduced in the first part Introduction.Chapter One is about literature review, in which some studies on the English version of The Scholars from the linguistic perspective, functionalist theory, cultural perspective and some others are reviewed. Based on the review, the limitations of the previous studies and the necessity of the present study are pointed out.Chapter Two introduces the origin and development of the intertextuality theory, and illustrates the typology of intertextuality and the process of intertextual translation, which together formed the theoretical framework of this thesis.Chapter Three involves the analysis of the recognition and transfer of intertextual reference in The Scholars according to the categorizations of manifest and constitutive intertextuality.In Chapter Four, based on the analysis of Mr. and Mrs. Yang’s translation practice, the author of this thesis sums up three principles of intertextual translation, which are preservation of the original author’s intention, reconstitution of intertextual context and conciseness of the target text.In the last part Conclusion, the significant findings of this study are summarized. Furthermore, the limitations and the implication of this study are offered as well.