A Comparison Between The English And Russian Versions Of Oiwulun Based On Relevance Theory

This paper selects two different versions of Chinese classics Qiwulun to make comparison: a English version translated by Chinese scholar Wang Rongpei and a Russian version translated by Russian Sinologist Ma Liangwen (MaJIRBHH). Based on Relevance theory, this paper compares these two versions from four aspects:the translation of words, short sentences, paragraphs and rhetoric. Starting with analyzing the literal and philosophic meaning of Qiwulun, the author compares the communicative and ostensive method adopted by these two versions. While with respect to the lack of objective evaluation standards in Relevance theory, the author applies the principle of equal inferential distance to the analysis, in order to more directly and objectively demonstrate whether the translators successfully convey the same optimal relevance as in the first communication process to the target language audience.The author believes that upon the translation of Chinese classics the translators are faced with two major difficulties:Firstly, correctly grasp and convey the literal and philosophic meaning of the original text;Secondly, try to reproduce the imagination space or the cultural default of the original text in accordance with the target audience’s contextual cognition, in order to reflect the linguistic and cultural characteristics of the target language in the translation.