On Translation Of Culture-loaded Words In Fortress Besieged From The Perspective Of Adaptation Theory

Based on Jef Verschueren’s Adaptation Theory, by adopting qualitativemethodology, the author conducts a study on the translation of culture-loaded wordsin the novel Fortress Besieged. The thesis aims to prove that the theory can fullyexplain the translation of culture-loaded words and it has guiding significance ontranslation analysis and translation criticism.Language and culture are closely related. As one of the important carriers ofculture, language could reflect the culture of one nation and the diversity of differentcultures can be seen in language. Containing rich social and cultural information,culture-loaded words is a mirror of cultural phenomenon of a specific nation. Thetranslator should give full consideration to the deep cultural meaning of the words.Hence, the translator is often faced with many choices: literal translation or liberaltranslation, domestication or foreignization, etc.The Adaptation Theory proposed by Jef Verschueren provides a brand newperspective to the translation analysis of culture-loaded words. According toVerschueren, pragmatics treats linguistic phenomena from a general cognitive, social,and cultural perspective. Furthermore, language use is about making choicecontinuously for language-internal or language-external reasons in a conscious orunconscious way. As a cross-cultural activity, the translation of culture-loaded wordsis also a process in which the translator continuously makes choices in order to satisfythe target reader.The study is conducted from two aspects: adaptation to the mental world andadaptation to the social world. The conclusion is draw as follows:First, according to the theory, translation can also be regarded as a process ofcontinuous choice-making. In this process, the translator will be faced with manyquestions and choices. With the help of Adaptation Theory the translator could choose translation strategy more flexible, in light of different perspectives of adaptation.Second, the standard of translation would be changed if Adaptation Theory isapplied in translation criticism. There is no longer good or bad, right or wrong when itcomes to the quality of translation. Different versions of translation result fromdifferent perspectives of adaptation. Based on this standard, each version has its ownvalue and should be equally judged. Hence, the theory has a guiding significance ontranslation criticism.Third, Adaptation Theory is not only applicable but also quite persuasive in theanalysis of translation, especially in the translation of culture-related phenomenon.