An Analysis Of Foregrounded Features In Xu Yuanchong's English Translation Of Selected Poems Of Su Shi

Foregrounding theory is an extremely important concept in stylistics.It was originally introduced from painting,one kind of visual art,referring to such a technique that the painter uses to make certain artistic image standout from the background.What stands out becomes“foreground” while what serves as a foil becomes “background”.To put it into stylistics,foregrounding is an intentional violation of standard language,as opposed to background,automation and convention.There are two means of foregrounding: deviation and over-regularity.Foregrounded features are of the most prominence in poetry language.Poetry uses forms and conventions to suggest differential interpretation to words,or to evoke emotive responses.Functions of poetry language are different from that in other practical literary forms,such as in technological language,legal language and so on,whose main functions are to communicate and to convey standard and accurate information instead of information with aesthetic function,therefore,the language itself does not have the chance to reveal foregrounded features.In poetry,the poetic function or aesthetic function of language holds a central position while the practical function of language stays in a subordinate position.Language in the poetry is the essence of human language,for the reason that poets creatively use a language to write the wonderful poems in a limited space.Because of this,readers can be attracted into the beautiful scenery which is described in the poetry during the process of appreciation,and they will also get the feelings of aesthetic experience.In Chinese culture,poetry has continuously occupied an important position.Classical Chinese poem is featured by its time-honored aesthetic charm,especially poetry in Song dynasty,which marks the highest literature achievements at that time.It has provided a format and a forum for both public and private expressions of deep emotion.Poetry in Song dynasty enjoyed a period of great prosperity owing to the outstanding contribution of Su Shi(1037–1101),a man with great charm,originality and integrity of purpose.His poems reveal the heroic spirit,rich content and unique artistic style.Most of all,Su Shi's poems start and expand a new stage of poem-creation,and made an outstanding contribution to thedevelopment of poetry in Song dynasty,which lays the foundation of his important position in the word history.The main features of Su Shi's poems are extensiveness of subjects,sincerity of feeling,flexibility of language,richness of imagination,broadness of artistic realm and variety of expression means,becoming independent part of new poetry.In order to better transmit and display our classical poetry,translation is in need.As a great master translator,Xu Yuanchong(1921–)has made huge achievements in translation.He has translated numerous classical Chinese works,including poetry,novel,and so on,into English and other languages.In his more than sixty translation years,he is always engaged in literary translation.His translations mainly focus on classical Chinese poetry,which formed his own unique translation theory and style.His translation works both retained the characteristics of the original text and embodied the characteristics of his own.He is even the first Asian translator to get “Aurora Borealis” Award for his outstanding literary translation on August 2,2014.This thesis is an attempt to analyze the foregrounded features in Xu Yuanchong's English translation work—Selected Poems of Su Shi—based on foregrounding theory.It is hoped to provide certain theoretical and practical value for analyzing Xu Yuancong's poetry translation and have references for further studies.On the basis of the foregrounding theory made by G.N.Leech(1936-2014),the foregrounded features can be divided into two kinds: deviation and over-regularity,meanwhile deviation can further be divided into eight subcategories in detail,and over-regularity,into two main subcategories.This analysis is based on qualitative methods combined with quantitative methods.First step is to analyze the research material and select foregrounded features in this translation book.Then the second step is to classify theses foregrounded features into several subcategories and summarize the distribution patterns of these foregrounded features.The third step is to analyze these foreground features in detail with concrete examples.The last step is to relate foregrounded features with Xu Yuanchong's own translation theories,revealing the research value.Three major findings are discovered in this thesis: firstly,according to concept of foregrounding theory,foregrounded features in the translation work are discovered in a great number;secondly,these foregrounded features focus mainly on three aspects: phonology,grammar and semantics,which play an vital role in conveying the original beauty in meaning,sound and form;thirdly,through analysis in this thesis,its findings show that the foregrounded features well correspond with Xu Yuanchong's special translation theories“Beauty in Three Aspects” and “Particularization,Generalization and Equalization”.The thesis on the one hand broadens the research scope of the stylistics and on the other hand enriches the research value of Xu Yuanchong's translation works and theories.