An Analysis Of Defamiliarization In Translation Of Li Bai’s Poetry

Poetry, as a special kind of literary form, compared with other literary forms, has a lot of limitations not only in the aspect of forms, but also in the aspect of contents. Thus, it will be more difficult for the translators to do some relative translations. In order to understand the poetry and its translations in a deep level, during the translating process, we have to deal with it making use of correspondent translation strategies. The responsibilities of the translators are not only to translate, but also to beautify and decorate it, which is the purpose of translating of poetry.By making use of different examples in this thesis, the writer tries to analyze how to realize the defamilarization effects in translation of Li Bai’poetry by means of a functionalist approach. In Chinese history of poetry, Li Bai is considered as the Poetic Genius, which can be recognition of his efforts in expressing his feelings by poetry. As Li Bai is quite well known in the field of Chinese poetry, this thesis will take his works of poetry as the major research materials and the argument. Certainly, in his life he has made some famous poetry, so it becomes difficult to choose the most suitable one among all. Concerning with this, the writer has read and appreciated many good ones in order to choose the proper example after a though consideration.In the field of translation research, there are many translation strategies studied by us. Through the comparison between different versions, the writer attempts to distinguish which one will meet the expectation and need of the readers. If the one can satisfy the aesthetic requirement of the readers, this version will be accepted by them easily, otherwise it will be the opposite. The defamilarization theory has been focused on as a frequently used translation strategy by the poets and the translators. This thesis will have a detailed analysis of the use in the classes of words, phrases, syntax and figures of speech in Li Bai’s poetry. This theory endows the poetry with magic power, which will satisfy the aesthetic need of the readers more and meanwhile modify the forms and the contents of the translation versions. So as to learn about how the defamilarization effects are realized in all classes, the writer will quote many poems and correspondent translation versions to be researched on and discussed.The adaption of the defamilarization theory enables the readers to know more about Li Bai’s poetry, especially for the foreign readers. If the translation versions can have the same effect as the source text in the appreciation and acceptance by the readers, and also the aesthetic function of the poetry will be reflected in the readers’ imagination. This thesis aims to contribute to the research of the translation strategy by analyzing the poetry and improve the poetry translation quality, and the writer hopes that the Chinese culture in Li Bai’s poetry can be accepted and appreciated by more people.