On Fidelity From The Perspective Of Deconstructional Translation Theory

Deconstruction originated in the1960s. As one of the major figures, Jacques Derrida (1930-2004) intended to solve philosophical problems by studying translation. With the notion "differance", the core of his theories, Derrida deconstructed logocentrism and binary oppositions, brought about new relations between the translator and the author, and the translation and the original text, and enriched the concept of fidelity in translation. Although he did not illustrate detailed deconstructional translation strategy, his philosophy played a significant role in modern translation study. In this dissertation, the translation of Ling Zai Roaming the World is taken as an example in the analysis of Derrida’s deconstructional translation theory. With the support of both theory and practice, certain questions are answered, as to what fidelity is and how a translator presents a proper translation.There are five chapters in this dissertation. In Chapter One, the purpose and significance of the study are elaborated, and Derrida’s deconstructional theory and Ling Zai Roaming the World are briefly introduced. In Chapter Two, since the uncertainty of meaning and the deconstruction of absolute authority of authors are revealed by Derrida, two aspects of fidelity are established based mainly on theory, with examples from the translation of Ling Zai Roaming the World. In Chapter Three, the practical value of fidelity is analyzed respectively from the two aspects that are mentioned above. And the fact that Derrida’s theory and practice are closely related is proved. Chapter Four is the review of the concept of fidelity based on practice. And the concept of fidelity is broadened by the analysis from those two aspects. In Chapter Five, the conclusion, two misunderstandings about Derrida’s deconstructional translation theory are clarified, and an ideal cooperative relation between the translator and the author is presented.