An Analysis On Postcolonial Translation Theories In Art History Translation

Postcolonial translation theories are important academic fruits following the Cultural Turn in translation studies home and abroad. The theories, originated from the postcolonial theories, argue that translation is not the word-to-word conversion or equality; it is rather invariably influenced by social, cultural and political factors. By analyzing the power movement behind translation, the theories provide an insight on the interaction between weak and strong culture, in the hope to promote better commutations between them.The comparison of weak and strong cultures between west and east is especially noticeable in art history. Western civilization has a profound tradition of art history analysis and research while the tradition is almost nowhere to be seen in Chinese culture. As a result, the study of art history in western civilization has always put itself in center of power, dwarfing other civilizations, including China in art history study. The inequality is manifested in language and translation of in many ways. Almost all art history books are written in English and thus needs translation as a media. Faced with unique inequality in translation, it is believed the postcolonial translation theories may offer effective strategies.This dissertation seeks its theoretical ground in postcolonial translation theories and applies the theories to translation practice:it takes the theatrical and critical angel to analyze the postcolonial translation theories and the translation version-with reference to Modern Art. It points the deficiencies and lay out suggestions to allow the translator to play a more active role.Many researchers home and abroad are productive in studying the theories but few of them take the academic angel as applying the theories to art history translation. Therefore it is believed the dissertation takes a unique angel and its research is meaningful.