On The Intersubjectivity Of Translation From The Perspective Of Collusion

As the philosophical studies gradually shift from the principle of subject-objectdualism to intersubjectivity, the translation studies have begun to shake off itslimitations of source text-oriented translation perspectives to an aspect of intersubjectiveinteraction among the three main subjectives during the process of translation, that is,the original author, translator and target reader. On this regard professor Susan Bassnetthas her own understanding in Constructing Cultures: Essays on Literary Translation. Inthe essay When Translation Is Not Translation she promoted a concept of "collusion".Enlightened by her ideas this thesis plans to explore how intersubjectivity functions inpoetry translation with some English translations of Li Qingzhao’s Ci. It makes anattempt to prove the hypothesis that literary translation is the product of collusiveprocess among translation subjects, linguistic meanings and cultural background. Thisthesis is expected to investigate the variations and differences of translation based onthe two directions: collusion between translator and writer, translator and target reader.Illustrated by the analyses of different translations of Li Qingzhao’s Ci, this thesistries to exemplify that the process of literary translation is a result of intersubjectivecollusion where the subjects come together to collude.This paper contains five chapters and it will be organized as follows:The1stchapter will introduce a literature review of professor Susan Bassnett’sideas on translation studies. The research basis and significance of this thesis will alsobe presented. The2ndchapter is planned to focus on the subjects of translation collusion.To depict the intersubjectivity in translation collusion, this chapter will introduce theorigins of collusion and some disputes on translation intersubjectivity as well. The3rdchapter will put eyes on translator’s unique function and influence in translation process.Translator, as its particular role and character in translation process, dominates andmanipulates the procedure. The4thchapter is supposed to probe a microscopicunderstanding in translation intersubjectivity and collusion. With some selecting imagesfrom Li Qingzhao’s poems, readers’ influence and original author’s power are expectedto be depicted in more depth. The last part comes to the conclusive remarks and remaining works that still need to be done in the future.