Translating Fiction In Context

Translation is the conversion of one language into another. It can also be regarded as a process of decoding and recoding. So the first thing for a translator is to comprehend the source language. Being used in a certain pragmatic environment, language is deeply rooted in context. So the analysis of context is quite important in translation. As for fiction, context plays a crucial role in linguistic coherence, smooth transition and plot development. As translators, we must acquire an adequate comprehension of context, choosing appropriate expressions based on the specific context. In that way, we can reflect the theme and artistic style of the source text faithfully.Based on the empirical experience of translating Excellent Women, a novel written by British novelist Barbara Pym,this thesis aims to analyze the influence of context in fiction translation from three aspects, i.e.linguistic context, situational context and cultural context. Linguistic context refers to the frame of words and the juxtaposed words and sentences. It can provide background information for some words which are vaguely expressed in the process of communication. The careful consideration of linguistic context is useful in clarifying the properties of words, eliminating ambiguity and defining meaning.Situational context can be regarded as a larger environment for communication. It involves the plot development in paragraphs, chapters, even the full text. It reflects characters’characteristics, their social relations and the specific situations, which all greatly influence the choices of words and expressions, ways of statement and stylistic modes in the translation text. Cultural context can be found everywhere in the fiction, it reflects the cultural features of the source language. Different countries have different cultural customs.Understanding cultural context can help us avoid mistranslation effectively. In general, the two processes in translation, comprehension and expression, are both related with context. Contextual analysis can make translation text more accurate, more vivid and more faithful to the fiction.