On Translator’s Subjectivity From The Perspective Of Axiology

In 1970 s, the “cultural turn” turned up in western translation studies, opening a new page for the study of translation subject. Since then, researches have been carried out on translator?s subjectivity from different perspectives such as poly-system theory, manipulation theory, hermeneutics, deconstruction, feminism and post colonialism, etc. These studies overthrow the previous bias against translators and greatly enhance their status. This thesis is intended to study translator?s subjectivity from the perspective of axiology.Axiology is involved in the nature, constitution, standard and evaluation of value. On the basis of axiology, value originates from the object, depends on the subject and comes from practice. Subjectivity is the fundamental characteristic of it. Value creation is the core of value activity while value choice is the main reflection of subjectivity which includes the choice of object, the choice of value goals and the choice of value means. In value creation, the need of the subject is an indispensable factor which is often displayed as the purpose in practice. To satisfy the needs, the subject must obtain certain ability. In addition, values always direct the subject?s activity. Accordingly, translation is a social practice that satisfies the needs of human beings and value is its inherent attribute. The translation activity belongs to spiritual value creation which is based on the original text and dominated by the translator. The translation process is the course for the translator to make value choices, including the selection of original text, the selection of translating purpose, and the selection of translation strategy and methods. The translator?s values, ability and translation purpose play an important role in the translation process.Under the guidance of axiology, this thesis is aimed to conduct a case study on Ku Hungming?s English version of Lun Yu. In the first place, the article is an analysis of Ku Hungming?s choice of the original text: Lun Yu is one of the most influential Confucian classics both at home and abroad. Ku was a faithful follower of Confucianism and his abilities enabled him to make the translation. So he chose Lun Yu to work on. In the second place, the thesis is an analysis of Ku Hungming?s translation purpose: Dissatisfied with previous translation versions, Ku decided to translate Lun Yu by himself so as to prosper Confucianism, in hoping that the westerners could change their attitudes towards China. Meanwhile, he made an attempt to provide a solution for the social and cultural crisis in western society. In the third place, the author makes an introduction of two translation strategies: domestication and foreignization, and points out the rationality of Ku?s adoption of domestication strategy. At last, the dissertation reaches the conclusion of four translation methods with examples, namely omission, addition, analogy and quotation. To sum up, the above analysis clearly demonstrates Ku Hungming?s subjectivity in translation and describes the necessity and rationality of his translation behavior.This thesis presents the objective existence of translator?s subjectivity from the perspective of axiology, revealing how the translator?s subjectivity influences the translation process and the major factors affect translator?s subjectivity. In the course of translation, Ku Hungming?s values, ability and translation purpose exerted deep influence on the formation of the target text. In a word, this research provides a favorable exploration for the study of translator?s subjectivity, and it also provides beneficial compensation for the English translation of Confucian classics.