The Translation Of Intertextual Signs From The Perspective Of Intertextuality Theory

The theory of intertextuality originates from Saussure’s structural linguistics and Bakhtin’s dialogism. Originally, it is mainly applied in the field of literary criticism, and later the theory extends to translation studies. According to this theory, no text is independent and the interpretation of a certain literary text should be based on the correct and thorough identification of its intertextuality. The application of intertextuality theory into translation is a relatively fresh topic in translation studies. During the process of text comprehension and text reproduction, the translator should combine the text with the other to recreate a translation which can achieve the same effect. Therefore, it is necessary to introduce intertextuality into translation. Signs as words, phrases and sentences existing in a text can connect the text with other texts, and the signs that can connect different texts are intertextual signs. These intertextual signs enrich the texts and play a significant role in deep understanding and comprehensive interpretation of the texts. It is obvious that the translation of intertextual signs is a topic worth discussing.Viewed from the perspective of intertextuality, Mao Zedong’poetry is rich in intertextual signs. The intertextual translation of Mao Zedong’s poems can not be ignored due to its broad time background and profound cultural implications. Therefore, the treatment of intertextual signs is the priority when a translator is going to translate Mao’s poems. The types of intertextual signs discussed in this thesis include quotation, allusion, reference, parody and conventionalism. As a contemporary outstanding translator in China, Xu Yuanzhong has translated numerous ancient Chinese poems and put forward lots of creative translation thoughts, which contributes significantly to the spread of Chinese culture and enhancement of the status of Chinese literature worldwide. And his English version of The Selected Poems of Mao Zedong is highly praised.This thesis attempts to analyze Xu Yuanzhong’s translation of intertextual signs in The Selected Poems of Mao Zedong (1993) from the perspective of intertextuality and discuss how the translator can appropriately carry out the intertextual activity between source text and target text in order to make the translated works better accepted by the target readers. On the basis of literature review on intertextuality theory and intertextual interpretation of Mao Zedong’s poetry and Xu Yuanzhong’s translation thoughts, this thesis mainly introduces the origins and development of this theory, and the classification and definition of intertextual signs given by the later scholars. In the following part about the analysis of the translation of intertextual signs, this thesis starts from Hatim’s order of the importance of intertextual signs, and it chooses two statuses of the five according to the need of analysis, ie. semiotic status and informational status. To put it in another way, this thesis, with abundant and concrete examples, will analyze how Xu Yuanzhong retains the semiotic status and preserves the informational status of the intertextual signs when he is translating Mao’s poems.The conclusions can be drawn from the analysis that there are three commonly used techniques. The first one is translating with the signs similar in source language and target language. The second is translating with the signs in source language. The last one is translating with the signs in target language. Xu Yuanzhong’s translation of the intertextual signs achieves the optimization of translation under the context of intertextuality theory, owing to the fact that his translated works can not only display the essence of the original works, but also can be better accepted by the target readers. Thus, it allows the western readers to fully appreciate the charm of Mao’s poems. Xu Yuanzhong’s translation techniques may of great value for future translators to some degree, which can stimulate their translation skills and make their translated works of Mao’s poems better appreciated worldwide.