A Study Of The English Translation Of Li Bai’s Poetry From The Perspective Of Intertextuality

Intertextuality is an important concept and theory in the fields of literature and linguistics, it generates Post-Structuralism. In 1960 s, the French post-structural critic, Julia Kristeva proposed the concept of intertextuality. Since then, many theorists have made much effort to develop this theory. Kresteva(1980: 66) defines it as “any text is constructed as mosaic of quotations; any text is the absorption and transformation of another ”. The theory of intertextuality emphasizes the relationship between the original text and other relevant texts in the process of constructing and understanding texts. The process of translation is based on the understanding of the original text, and then creates the new text by following the lead of the original one. This fits the standards of intertextual theories. In translation research, theorists both in China and abroad have adopted the theory of intertextuality into the enquiry of this area. Although the theory of intertextuality is a dynamic, open and various one, it still shows the flow in translation practice.In classic Chinese poetry, there is a large amount of intertextual signs that can be seen. In this thesis, two English translation versions of Li Bai’s poetry are selected as research subjects, which are Xu Yuangchong and Ezra Pound’s translations. The aim of the research is supposed to explore the way of delivering the information from original text to target text in intertextual aspects by discussing the influence of intertextuality on the culture connotations, allusions and images in the translations.This thesis intends to demonstrate the research in five chapters. Chapter one is the introduction to the research background, domestic and foreign translation statues of Li Bai’s poetry; Chapter two introduces the theoretical framework for the research, the definition, categories of intertextuality and the relationship between intertextuality and translation; Chapter three is focused on discussing intertextual essence in Li Bai’s poetry: allusions and images; Chapter four is the case study of the intertextuality and translation from Xu Yuanchong and Ezra Pound; Chapter five is the conclusion of the research. It is concluded in the analysis of Xu Yuanchong and Ezra Pound’s translations in the framework of intertextuality that the successful translation of the allusions and images in Li Bai’s poetry mostly depends on translators’ dealing with intertextual essence and choosing appropriate translating strategies.