Analysis Of Strategy Of Contextual Adaptability From The Perspective Of Relevance Theory

Recent four decades witnessed a continuous flourish in translation studies andpractice. Plenty of western masterpieces and translation theoretical works have beentranslated into Chinese, which are indeed eye-openers for people at home.Comparatively, there are not so many C-E translation works, especially thosetranslation works on essays and some other literature works, seen abroad. It does notaccord with the rapid social and economic development and requirement forcommunication with western countries as well as dissemination of Chinese culture.Selected Modern Chinese Essays1, written by Pro.Zhang Peiji, was publishedin2007. Since then, it has gained a tidal wave of praise for its high quality to satisfythe need of readers for excellent C-E essays. This thesis, taking all texts in this bookinto consideration, adopts Relevance Theory as the perspective with qualitativeinvestigation and Descriptive Translation Studies to analyze dynamic thinkingprocess of translators: he firstly comprehends source-text based on the cognitivecontext searching for the optimal relevance and makes a reference on the intentionsof source-text(ST)writers, then adapts target language to help target-text(TT)readersfind the optimal relevance between the intention of ST writers and cognitiveenvironment of target language. The author also points out the aspects thattranslators should pay attention to when making an adaptable choice on targetlanguage in different context and makes a conclusion on specific translation methodsunder the guidance of strategy of contextual adaptability. Due to the huge gapsbetween Chinese and western cultures, thinking styles, customs and values, Chineseessays with its unique aesthetic and artistic values cannot be reproduced so easily.Taking the expectancy acceptance into consideration, translator should choosevarious translation methods in different contexts to achieve a balance among sense,sound and form.With aim of introducing beautiful Chinese essays and profound Chinesecultures to the world, this thesis taking Prof. Zhang Peiji’ s translation work Selected Modern Chinese Essays1as the case study analyzes the strategy of contextualadaptability in three different contexts: linguistic context, situational context, andcultural context from the perspective of Relevance Theory. The author also makessome suggestions on translation skills as to different contexts with expectation toinspire the coming translators when they translate Chinese essays or some otherliterary works.