On Translator’s Subjectivity From George Steiner’s Hermeneutic Motion

In 1980 s, “cultural turn” in translation study offers researchers a new horizon,which contributes to a rapid deconstruction of ontology and diversified situation for translation development. Accordingly, the study of translation has experienced a tremendous change from author-centeredness to translator-centeredness. Translator’s role in cross-cultural communication has been gradually recognized and highlighted in theoretical study. In hermeneutic study, Steiner stresses translator’s interpretation,regarding “understanding as translation”(Steiner, 2001:1). Moreover, Steiner considers translation process as fourfold hermeneutic motion, including trust,aggression, incorporation and compensation, providing the theoretical basis for this thesis to explore translator’s role in interpreting and transforming source text(ST for short). As the research continues, the idea of inter-subjectivity has gradually come into the field of translation study, which offers a theory basis for studying translator’s subjectivity in the selection of ST, ST author as well as patronage.The Republic of Wine, as one of ten top works created by Mo Yan, which is endowed with a strong color of magic realism. It’s not only loved by author, but also the sinologist Goldblatt who regards it as the most imaginative work in terms of writing techniques.(Liu Jun, 2014) Moreover, the novel is characterized by country languages and distinctive rhetorical devices such as allusions, quotations, metaphors,fully reflecting charm of Chinese language and culture. Thus, the work is worth a careful study. In order to represent ST meaning faithfully, Goldblatt claims in translator’s note that TT will be produced faithfully to ST as far as possible.(Goldblatt,2012:VI)Taking The Republic of Wine as an example, this thesis creatively combines inter-subjectivity and inter-textual theory to explore translator’s subjectivity under the framework of Steiner’s fourfold hermeneutic motion. With the detailed study, the thesis enriches the researches of The Republic of Wine from perspectives of both hermeneutic theory and inter-subjectivity. Moreover, based on inter-subjectivedialogues, it’s also a beneficial attempt to explore factors affecting the success of translation and publication.