On Conversational Translation In A Dream Of Red Mansions From The Perspective Of The Interpretive Theory

The interpretive theory is an important theory in the explanation of translation and interpreting. Different from other translation theories, the interpretive theory has argued that the object of translation is to convey the sense not the language, which is only the indispensable factor in comprehending the source text/speech. Based on long-term practice and rich experience in translation and interpreting, the interpretive theory pointed out that the translator/interpreter, before expression in target language, remembers the sense of source text/speech not words or sentences, then, translates into a new work/speech which is suited to the usage of target language. Thus, the conception of de-verbalization was proposed and became the one activity of translation. That is the procedure of translation is comprehension, de-verbalization and re-expression. Besides, some important notions like sense unit, sense equivalence, are proposed by the interpretive theory. The interpretive theory opens a new research road for translation and is the useful theory for linguists to make the research of translation and interpreting.Hong Lou Meng, as one of Four Masterpieces in China and the best Masterpiece in Chinese classical novel, can be called encyclopedia of Chinese society and culture. Since published, Hong Lou Meng is the research highpoint of scholars so that the related school was come out, called "red-ology". As some translation versions about Hong Lou Meng published, such novel has enjoyed popular in foreign countries as well. At present, there are two complete translation versions about Hong Lou Meng:The Story of the Stone translated by David Hawkes&John Minford and A Dream of Red Mansions translated by Yang Xianyi&Gladys Yang. Different translation purposes let two versions have their own features and loyal readers.During collecting the reference, the author found that few scholars have applied the interpretive theory to translation. One reason may be that the interpretive theory is a rather young theory and has not yet been known or accepted by all linguistic experts and scholars. Another reason is that most books about the interpretive theory originated from France were written by French, which retards some scholars understanding the theory. Meanwhile, based on interpreting activities, the interpretive theory is mistakenly thought to be the theory that can only make the explanation of interpreting problems. Although there are many studies about translation version Hong Lou Meng, there is no research on the conversational translation. Therefore, this thesis will take conversational translations from A Dream of Red Mansions translated by Yang Xianyi&Gladys Yang as examples to prove the possibility of application of the interpretive theory in literature translation.This thesis consists of five chapters. The First Chapter is the introduction of the whole paper. The Second Chapter is the review of the development of the interpretive theory at home and abroad and theoretical research achievements of the translation version Hong Lou Meng. Analysis and studies on Hong Lou Meng on the perspectives of sorts of linguistic theories will manifest advantages of the application of the interpretive theory in conversational translation from Hong Lou Meng. The Third Chapter is the introduction of the interpretive theory. Basic concepts, theoretical framework and characteristics of the interpretive theory, and the translation criteria will be included in this chapter. The Forth Chapter is the detailed explanation of the triangle model of the interpretive theory: comprehension, de-verbalization and re-expression. Meanwhile conversational translation from A Dream of Red Mansions translated by Yang Xianyi&Gladys will be taken as examples to show operational functions of this model. The Fifth Chapter is the introduction of advantages and disadvantages of the application of the interpretive theory. The Last Chapter is the conclusion. Research fruits and limitations in this thesis will be pointed out. And some suggestions for future study will be proposed.Based on the theoretical explanation and example analysis, it will obtain the following conclusion:the interpretive theory on the basis of interpreting activity is suitable to literature work translation. And there are some common features between conversation translation in literature work and the interpretive theory. Here it is the hope that those findings can provide references for later researchers.