A Comparative Study On Two English Versions Of Li Bai’s Poetry From Perspective Of Translation Ethics

On basis of Chesterman’s four models of translation ethics, this thesis carries ona comparative study on two English versions of Li Bai’s poems by Xu Yuanzhong andDavid Hinton respectively. Firstly, the thesis makes an analysis on the four models oftranslation ethics and elaborates each model thoroughly. Secondly, with the help ofexemplification and textual close reading, the thesis compares the two versions indifferent models and demonstrates the differences between the two versions. Thirdly,the thesis summarizes the different ethical performances of the two versions in eachmodel and illustrates further the similarities and differences between the twoversions.According to the comparative study, this thesis comes to the conclusionas follows. Firstly, Xu’s version performs relatively better in ethics of representationand ethics of communication. Secondly, both of the two versions studied in thisthesis conform to the ethics of service. Thirdly, in norm-based ethics, the twoversions also conform to the expectancy norm and accountability norm; but Hinton’sversion performs not so well as Xu’s in communication norm and relation norm.Lastly, Chesterman’s theory of four models of translation ethics has its own problemsand not suitable for all types of translation practices; and for poetry translation, theethics of representation should be put in the first place and other models in thesecond.It is the first time to carry on a comparative study on English versions ofLi Bai’s poetry from perspective of translation ethics and then give suggestions toimprove Chesterman’s theory. It is sincerely hoped that this thesis will spur morescholars to carry on studies on translation ethics and poetry translation.