Translation Of Children’s Literature In The Perspective Of Adaptation Theory

As a branch of literature, children’s literature not only embodies the characteristics ofgeneral literature but also has its own conspicuous features: unique linguistic characteristics,children-orientation and educational functions. With the frequent intercultural communication,a variety of excellent children’s literature has been poured into China and enhances thecommunication among children all around the world. Children’s literature has become amedium for the communication among children. However, children in different countriesexists some difference in language and social culture, hence translation of children’s literaturebecomes vitally important in introducing other countries’ literature. At the same time,children’s reading and receptive capacity are distinct due to difference in psychologicaldevelopment. In view of characteristics of children’s literature, translators of children’sliterature should think over children’s cognition ability at different age, consider such factorsas linguistic, context and time in the process of translation and make a consideration of howto present successfully the original text to the children readers with different background.Based on the adaptation theory proposed by Verschueren and Piaget’s cognitive stagetheory, this thesis mainly uses descriptive method to make a comparative study of thetranslation versions of Harry Potter and Philosopher’s Stone both in mainland and in Taiwanfrom the contextual correlates of adaptability and structural objects of adaptability. It attemptsto study how the translators combine the cognitive level and receptive ability of children tomake selections and adaptations in the translation process, which provides a brand new perspective for translation of children’s literature.On the basis of adaptation theory and Piaget’s cognition development theory, the authorchooses a large number of examples to make a comparison. Firstly, the author analyzes thetranslation version from cultural context. It makes a comparison between the two versionsfrom different customs and religious belief. Secondly, the author makes a discussion ofadaptation to target readers’ cognition and mental world from simile, metaphor, hyperbole,pun and personification. At last, the author probes into the selections and adaptations whichtranslators make in translation process from linguistic level.This thesis tries to resolve the following questions: From which aspects do translatorsneed to make adaptations and choices in the process of translation? In order to adapt tochildren’s apperception, translators employ what kind of translation methods and strategies inthe process of translation? Adaptation theory can be used to interpret the interpreter’sadaptations in the process of translation? The researcher draws the following conclusion:translators should make selections and adaptations at linguistic and context level; translatorsshould adopt the method of domestication and foreignization in order to conform tochildren’s cognition and comprehension ability. This paper makes comparison of the twotranslation versions under the guidance of adaptation theory. It testifies adaptation theory’sguidance to translation of children’s literature. At the same time, it provides suggestions forthe translation of children’s literature practice.