A Polysystem Study On The English Translation Of Yu Hua’s Huozhe

Itamar Even-Zohar put forward the polysystem theory on the basis of Russian formalism in 1970s. Polysystem theory breaks through the limitation of traditional translation studies of pure textual comparison and regards translation as a transcultural activity. The polysystem theory sees translated literature as a system, and translation strategy is conditioned by the position of translated literature in the literary polysystem. A polysystem study of translation focuses more on extratextural factors such as culture, society, the role of writer and translator, etc.Yu Hua is a renowned contemporary Chinese writer at home and abroad, and most of his works have been translated into dozens of foreign languages. Huozhe, one of his representative works, was translated by American translator Michael Berry and published by American publisher Random House. Since its publishing, English readers and newspapers have given high praises to it. Therefore, study the English translation of Yu Hua’s Huozhe from the perspective of polysystem theory is of practical value and academic significance.On the basis of the theoretical framework of polysystem theory, the thesis, concentrating more on extratextual factors, tries to analyze the position of Chinese translated literature, the reasons Huozhe selected to be translated, the roles played by the writer, translator and publisher, translation strategies employed in the translation and its acceptance in the English world.The author of the thesis finds that Chinese translated literature still assumes a peripheral position in the English literary polysystem; however, with the rapid development of China’s economy and culture and the strategy of "Chinese culture going abroad", this position has been improved. It is on this premise that Yu Hua’s Huozhe was selected to be translated so that English readers can learn more about China’s history and culture. During the translation, both the writer and translator share the same opinion of "translation should respect the ST", be it form or style. The publisher, driven by economic profits, wants the translation to be reader-oriented and market-oriented. Finally the three parties reach an agreement on the basis of mutual respect and the original novel was faithfully represented. Foreignization is generally adopted in terms of translation strategy and To Live has a good acceptance in the English world. It can be concluded that the position of Chinese translated literature is continuously improved, and its translation can break the conventions of English culture and literature. Thus Chinese culture can be introduced into English world accordingly.