Comparison Of Two English Renditions Of Teahouse: From A Perspective Of Interpersonal Function

Halliday’s three metafunctions theory has been widely studied in the field of discourse analysis but has less attention in the study of drama translation. This thesis will explore the two basic concepts in interpersonal function: mood and modality. Also, it will pose a third perspective of subject person for discussion.The thesis chooses the famous three-act play Teahouse as the case study subject and two versions of translation done by Ying Ruocheng and John Howard-Gibbon. The discussion of how interpersonal function is realized in drama translation will be carried on by employing a comparison analysis between the two versions。Through data analysis, this paper has come to the conclusion that:(1) drama language is literary and can be performed, this requires the study of dramatic language should adopt a systemic perspective to give a comprehensive analysis;(2) through the analysis of subject person in the two translations of Teahouse, this paper believes that the processing of subject person played a key role in reflecting how interpersonal function is realized in translation; it reveals the interpersonal relationship between the speaker and the listener;(3) the different processing methods by two translators concerning interpersonal function has produced different effects for readers in understanding the role character and the plot of the drama.