On Translation Of Fine Art Literature Navigating The Teaching Of Art (Chapter1～6)

Fine art literature, which is a side product of fine art studies, cannot be readilysorted into the traditional text types: by style, it is neither entirely literaturetranslation nor non-literature translation; by function, it is mainly exclusivelyexpressive text, but also incorporates the characteristics of informative text andvocative text.Such complexity in text nature adds difficulty to its translation and has broughtabout much confusion in this rarely touched translation area. In terms of methodology,little has been discussed in this area by the Chinese translation circle. In terms ofpractice, on the one hand, under the influence of market-oriented economy, no moreerudite scholar is translating art literature for its own sake, and it is often a difficultyfor the publisher to find a translator who is both artistically literate and adept attranslating; on the other hand, it is not unusual for the publisher to hire a second-ratetranslator to cut down the cost, resulting in lowered quality of translation.This paper, based on the translation of Navigating the Teaching of Art, gives anexample of text analysis for fine art literature from the perspectives of theoreticalproperty, literariness and practicality, and discusses translation issues in eachcategory respective. It aims to throw some light on the translation methodology offine art literature which has been a weak spot of the Chinese translation circle, and asa result, also brings enlightenment on all translation that transcends all methodology.